The foundation of securing fulfilling work aligned with your strengths is taking the time for rigorous self-examination. At Mind Shift, we invest extensive one-on-one time exploring your background, interests, challenges, accommodations used, strengths, and more.

For example, we utilize personalized assessment tools like the VARK ( Visual, Aural, Read/write, and Kinesthetic ) learning styles questionnaire to gain insights into how you best absorb and process information. Developing a holistic understanding of your profile allows us to strategically identify careers and work environments where you will thrive.

This self-discovery phase also involves boosting your confidence by focusing on your unique capabilities. You will come away from this step with a detailed view of your skills, ideal work style, strengths, and growth areas to inform your job search.

Now it’s time to make memorable first impressions with resumes, cover letters, and interviews that compellingly convey your background. We assist with optimizing your materials to highlight strengths common among autistic individuals, like consistency, focus, detail orientation, honesty, and loyalty.

For example, quantifying your accuracy rates for prior tasks demonstrates your precision. Highlighting long tenures in previous roles underscores your commitment. We help you translate your skills into concrete results.

We also equip you to effectively discuss your values and experience during interviews. For instance, we provide examples of how to articulate your direct communication style as an asset employers appreciate. The goal is to ensure employers quickly recognize the unique perspective you bring.

Based on Your Profile and armed with a clear view of your skills, needs, and work style from our self-discovery process, Mind Shift’s Employment Services team members suggest potential jobs specifically for you. We dig deep into our employer network, job boards, and other resources to uncover opportunities that closely match your abilities and interests.

For example, if you excel with visual information, we target visual-focused roles. If you thrive with structure, we find openings providing clear processes. If you have extensive knowledge in a specialty area, we identify related jobs. If you want remote work, we focus on those openings.

We aim to find your perfect fit based on the unique profile we developed. We go beyond just identifying relevant job titles, to matching you with specific openings that align with your goals.

Interviewing can create anxiety, but preparation is power. We conduct extensive training through role-playing various interview scenarios and styles.

For example, you’ll practice responding to questions about using direct communication, working independently, following detailed instructions, and other workplace strengths. We’ll also help you prepare stories that highlight times you successfully navigated challenges.

The more practice you get, the more confident and comfortable you’ll feel in interviews. You’ll learn how to emphasize the value you bring while being honest about any accommodations needed. We want you to feel empowered to be your authentic self.

At Mindshift, our interview process is thoughtfully designed to be considerate of both the candidate’s and employer’s schedules. After an initial conversation to learn about your background and interests, interviews are scheduled at a time that suits everyone involved.

In advance, you’ll receive the interview questions so you can prepare thoughtful responses. The goal of the interview is to foster an open discussion and assess the potential alignment between you and the team.

We want to ensure that the role aligns with your skills and interests while also determining compatibility in terms of values and working styles.

In addition to guiding you as an individual job seeker, Mind Shift also consults directly with employers to support their autism employment and recruitment efforts. We are the experts companies turn to when they want to build more inclusive workforces. If you are interested in partnering with Mind Shift to bring talented neurodiverse people into your workforce, Visit our site and click on “Become a Business Partner”. 

Our team conducts autism awareness and inclusion training for your new employer. We educate all levels of the organization – from executives to frontline managers – on best practices for onboarding, managing, and retaining autistic professionals.

We share proven strategies for making workplaces more welcoming through accommodations like sensory-friendly environments. Our goal is to create cultures where autistic employees feel recognized and empowered to contribute their talents.

Congratulations, you’ve secured a position! But our work doesn’t stop there. We remain invested in ensuring your new employer provides the thorough onboarding, training, and accommodations needed to set you up for success.

For example, we educate your new manager on effective communication and feedback strategies tailored to you. We also advise implementing any necessary workplace accommodations, like noise-canceling headphones, written instructions, or permission to work from home.

Our goal is to equip your workplace to welcome your talents through an inclusive culture and policies that support you. You should feel comfortable being your authentic self at work, not facing pressure to mask your identity.

Mind Shift provides ongoing training and support to ensure your continued success and advancement.

For example, we check in regularly and address any difficulties that arise on your part as well as your employer’s side. We also help you gain skills related to teamwork, communication styles, and managing sensory needs at work.

We also collaborate with your employer to advocate for new opportunities, like leadership roles, that align with your professional goals. Your growth is our priority. You have a partner invested in your career for the long haul.