Do you know the difference between the hidden job market versus the advertised job market?
The majority of individuals are unaware that a hidden job market exists. The hidden job market includes jobs that are not formally announced on the Internet, the companies website or even by a “now hiring” sign. The hidden job market is often used by the employer to hire someone within their network or their associate’s networks. According to statistics, 80 percent of all jobs are never advertised. (Uncovering the hidden job market by Martin Lieberman)
So how does this affect individuals with Asperger’s/HFA?
Well according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data for June 2014 for adults with autism, Autism Speaks has found that 9 out of 10 either are unemployed or underemployed, regardless of their IQ or education level.
With 9 out of 10 adults with autism unemployed or underemployed and 80% of the job market hidden, gaining employment can feel insurmountable. However, there are ways to break into the hidden job market and successes that I have had along the way with my personal clients that I share in other blog entries.
Read some of the topics we cover here:
Although it seems that the odds are stacked against individuals with Asperger’s/HFA, they are not. Together we will work on breaking down those barriers.
By Maggie Cromeens
Maggie earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal and Fine Arts with a Major in Communication/Public Relations and a Minor in Non Profit Management from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She has worked for Compass Resource Group since 2011. She assists adults in Texas with disabilities in achieving their employment goals by providing training, job placement assistance, environmental work assessments, social skills training, and job coaching. She has been instrumental in shaping the services at Compass Resource Group to meet the needs of young adults on the Autism Spectrum who are transitioning from high school. She is a member of the DARS Statewide Developmental Disorders Team
Thank God to have people like you to help people that don’t have voice. May God bless you .
Our son is a 46 year old student with late in life diagnosis(not documented but recognized by his educated parents). He worked out of a temp. agency once and was admonished for not taking breaks or lunch at the data entry jobs they sent him to.
When we first approached Tarrant Co. MHMR, they had not heard of aspergers. That was ten years ago. We were matched up with Future Horizons, and all they did was provide seminars.
We are in our 70’s and at wits end, as we realize life has passed our child by. When we are gone, there will be no income for him to just keep going to college.