Virtual job fairs are a great way to learn about job openings. You can chat with hiring managers and recruiters by visiting online booths from different companies. You can learn more about employers, ask questions and share your skills and abilities.

Have you registered for the Ticket to Work Virtual Job Fair taking place on August 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET? If so, here are some tips to research job openings and prepare yourself for online chats and interviews with employers:

1. Look at the list of employers taking part in the virtual job fair: Ticket to Work Virtual Job Fair. This list will be updated as new employers are added.
2. Click on each employer’s name in the link above to read about the organization and job openings.
3. Read the job descriptions that sound interesting to you. Take notes about job qualifications. Think about the skills, experience or interests you have that qualify you to apply. (You may even consider applying before the event.  If you do, write down the job title and job number for future reference.)

Once you know which jobs interest you, prepare for online chats with potential employers. Researching leads and preparing for a virtual job fair can show that you’re ready to work. It can also show the dedication and preparation you can bring to the workplace

During the virtual job fair, you can chat online with employers. Present yourself as ready to work. Here are some things you can do to prepare:

1. Be professional. During the virtual job fair, dress like you’re at an in-person interview. It will make you feel more professional and focused. When you’re chatting online with the employer, be thoughtful and professional with the words you choose. Don’t use slang, abbreviations or emoticons. Use complete sentences with proper punctuation and grammar.
2. Share stories. Be prepared with specific examples of how you’re qualified for job openings. Share stories about how your skills and experiences make you the right fit for the job. If you applied for a job online before the event, and you’re chatting with that employer, tell the employer which job you applied for and provide the job number.
3. Say thank you. When finishing a chat, thank the employer for their time. Follow up by sending a thank-you email that day. In your email, include a short summary of your chat and remind the employer of your interest in the job opening. You may also want to include your resume to remind them of your skills and qualifications.

Good luck!

Other Ticket to Work Virtual Job Fair resources:

Event details: August 24, 2016 Virtual Job Fair
Orientation video: Ticket to Work Virtual Job Fair Orientation
Blog: How to get the most out of a Virtual Job Fair

About Ticket to Work

Social Security’s Ticket to Work program supports career development for people age 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

Learn more

To learn more about Ticket Work, contact the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 (Voice) or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket to Work Find Help tool. 

REGISTER NOW!
Ticket to Work: Working with a Federal Contractor
Wednesday, August 31, 2016, 3:00 – 4:30 PM, ET

If you receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want tomake more money through work, Ticket to Work can provide the support that you need!

Join us on August 31, 2016, for the latest WISE webinar. We will be presenting information on Social Security programs and rules that may apply to you, including details about Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 503 is a regulation that prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating against people with disabilities and requires these employers to take action to recruit, hire, promote, and retain more people with disabilities. The presentation will include information on:

• What Section 503 changes mean for Social Security disability beneficiaries;
• Tips for self-identification during the application and hiring process; and
• Ticket to Work and work incentives.

Register online at www.choosework.net/wise or call 1-866-968-7842 (Voice) or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY).

You will receive a registration confirmation message with instructions on how to log in to the webinar. Please be sure to check your spam folder. Registration information will also be available online the day of the webinar.

You’re invited to take part in Social Security’s Ticket to Work online Virtual Job Fair on August 24, 2016. The job fair will connect Social Security disability beneficiaries to companies that do work with the government. These companies have job openings for people with many different skills and experience levels. They are most interested in hiring qualified people with disabilities.

This is a national event, so participating employers will have jobs throughout the United States. The fair will be held online, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.

At the job fair, you will be able to communicate with job recruiters online in chat forums and using one-on-one messages. You can also visit virtual resource booths. There, you can ask questions about job accommodations, Social Security Work Incentives, and legal issues that can create barriers to work for people with disabilities.

You should register if you are:

For youth with disabilities, discovering work you enjoy and find rewarding is an important first step when thinking about entering the workforce.  An internship or volunteer position can ease your transition. These jobs are often unpaid, but the experience you gain can help prepare you for a job after graduation. Social Security’s Ticket to Work program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who get Social Security disability benefits (SSDI or SSI) and want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

Volunteering and interning are great ways for you to explore different types of work. They can help you see what you might like to do and what you might be good at doing. These experiences may even help you figure out your preferred work environment (a small office, your home, outdoors), and work style (independently, as part of a team or in a large group).

Building your skills and developing good workplace habits early can set you apart from other job applicants. Employers value a candidate who has volunteer or internship experience that builds on what was learned in school. Think of using an internship or volunteer gig as a way to “test drive” your knowledge and skills!  The people you meet during an internship or a volunteer project will also help you build your network and maybe even set you on the path to a job and career.

Volunteering is also good for building your self-esteem while helping others and knowing that you made a difference in someone else’s life. 

If you’re ready to explore the possibility of finding work, contact the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 (Voice) or 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. Ask an agent to send you a list of service providers. You can also search for providers online using our Find Help tool. For more information about Social Security’s Ticket to Work program, visit www.choosework.net.

Many online and in-person career fairs are taking place this July and August. Taking part in a career fair is a good way to practice talking about yourself, your skills and your strengths. Career fairs also give you an opportunity to learn more about what kinds of jobs you might like and about job openings from employers and recruiters. You may even get an interview on the spot!

Ticket to Work Virtual Job Fair (Online)

The Ticket to Work program will host its next Virtual Job Fair on August 24, 2016, from 11:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m. ET. This is a national event, so participating employers will have jobs throughout the United States. Sponsored by Social Security, the job fair will connect you to companies that work with the government. These companies have job openings for people with many different skill and experience levels. They are most interested in hiring qualified people with disabilities.

You should register if you are:

•   A Ticket to Work participant,
•   Using your ticket to get services from an approved Employment Network (EN) or your state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, and
•   Ready to work 

Here’s how to register:

•   Fill out the consent form at www.choosework.net/vjfconsent,
•   Give the form to your EN or state VR agency to keep on file, and
•   Register at  https://vts.inxpo.com/Launch/QReg.htm?ShowKey=32842
  (we’ll confirm your registration after checking your eligibility to participate)

Diversity Employment Day Career Fairs (In-Person)

Diversity Employment Day Career Fairs give recruiters access to the largest pool of diverse, multi-cultural, qualified professionals in the United States. It is the only career fair that targets women, minorities, seniors, lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) people and people with disabilities (all groups covered under the Title VII Civil Rights Act of 1964). Diversity Career Fairs are held every year in most major cities where the mayor and/or governor proclaim "Diversity Employment Day."

• July 20 – Seattle, WA
• July 27 – Orange County, CA
• August 17 – Denver, CO
• August 24 – Portland, OR

Veteran Recruiting (Online and In-Person)

Veteran recruiting virtual career fairs connect service members, veterans and military spouses leaving the service to employers in real time. These career fairs are conducted online so you can participate from anywhere in the world. More than 150,000 veterans have been hired by companies participating in the online veteran recruiting fairs.

•   July 15 – CAREERS & the disABLED Career Expo (New York, NY)
  Register online for this free, in-person Annual Career Expo to meet with Fortune 500 companies and government agencies recruiting employees
•   August 16 – Disabled Veterans Virtual Career Fair 10KDAV (Online)

Hiring Our Heroes (In-Person)

Hiring Our Heroes, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, helps veterans, service members and military spouses leaving the service to find meaningful employment. Hiring Our Heroes has hosted more than 560 hiring fairs in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

• July 12 – El Paso, TX
• July 15 – Detroit, MI
• July 16 – Houston, TX
• July 26 – Montgomery, AL
• July 28 – Fort Indiantown Gap, PA  
• July 28 – Atlanta, GA
• August 2 – Columbia, SC
• August 4 – Lexington, KY
• August 9 – Washington, DC
• August 10 – Omaha, NE
• August 18 – Kansas City, MO
• August 25 – New Orleans, LA

RELATED RESOURCE: How to get the most out of a Virtual Job Fair  

Register NOW
Ticket to Work and Reasonable Accommodations:
Support on Your Journey to Employment
Wednesday, July 27, 2016, 3:00 – 4:30 PM, ET

If you receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want tomake more money through work, Ticket to Work can provide the support that you need!

The July 27, 2016, national WISE webinar will present information about Social Security programs and rules that may apply to you! Join the webinar to learn about Ticket to Work and Work Incentives, frequently asked questions and where to find more information. You will hear from experts about employment resources, including:

• The Job Accommodation Network;
• Reasonable accommodations and how to ask for them; and
• Ticket to Work and Work Incentives.

Register online at www.choosework.net/wise or call 1-866-968-7842 (V) or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY).

You will receive a registration confirmation message with instructions on how to log in to the webinar. Please be sure to check your spam folder. Registration information will also be available online the day of the webinar.

When it comes to preparing for the future, especially getting a job, there’s a lot for young people to think about:

• Where would you like to work and what can you see yourself doing every day?
• What kinds of people skills do you need to do well at work?
• Who can help when you have questions about finding a job or improving your skills?

No matter what job or career you have in mind, young people need strong communication and networking skills to succeed in the workplace. Reaching out to a service provider through Social Security’s Ticket to Work program is a good first step. Through the Ticket to Work program, you can find an Employment Network or State Vocational Rehabilitation provider who can help you answer these questions, set employment goals, and help you find work. They can help with resume writing, interview practice, and developing the communication skills you need to transition from school to work.

Social Security’s Ticket to Work program supports career development for people age 18 through 64 who get Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

Networking matters 

Whether you are looking for a job or want advice about work, one of the most useful tools is having a strong network. That means having people you can talk to or email about work options. Your network can include friends, family members, teachers, counselors, school administrators, volunteer coordinators, employers, mentors, case managers and others. It’s important to let the people in your life know about your goals and interests so they can help you find work or connect you to others who can.

Communicate effectively

Common-sense communication skills will help you succeed in any job. These “soft skills” include active listening, managing conflict, negotiation, teamwork, decision making, problem solving, stress management, planning, and time management. Ticket to Work service providers can help you develop these skills and teach you about networking as you begin your journey toward employment.

If you’re ready to explore the possibility of finding work, contact the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 (Voice) or 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers. You can also search for providers online using the Find Help tool. For more information about Social Security’s Ticket to Work program, visit www.choosework.ssa.gov.

As a parent or guardian of a young adult with a disability who is ready to enter the workforce, we recognize you play an important role in supporting them as they transition from school to work. Families help young people with disabilities make informed decisions, plan for their future, and help them set realistic expectations for employment.

Social Security’s Ticket to Work program supports career development for people ages 18 to 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

Family Resources

To guide parents, guardians and other family members in helping young adults with disabilities move into the workforce, the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth offers Understanding the New Vision for Career Development: The Role of Family. This guide helps families work together on youth self-exploration, career exploration and career planning and management.

The Ticket to Work program also helps young adults who get Social Security disability benefits prepare for work, find and keep jobs. Ticket to Work encourages people with disabilities, including young people, to work toward their employment goals. Ticket to Work service providers offer career counseling, skills training, job placement and many other services and support to help people with disabilities pursue their work and career goals.

Parents of young adults with disabilities are often concerned that their adult children will lose their Social Security benefits and healthcare (Medicare or Medicaid) if they work.  As a Ticket to Work participant, young job seekers with disabilities are able to work without automatically losing disability benefits  and return to benefits if they stop working. Social Security has special rules, called “work Incentives” that help bridge the gap between disability benefits and financial independence. There are also safeguards in place to protect healthcare benefits.

If your adult child with a disability receives Social Security disability benefits (SSDI or SSI), then Ticket to Work may be the ideal next step on their path to employment and financial independence.

For more information, contact the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 (V) or 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers. You can also search for providers online using our Find Help tool. For more information about Social Security’s Ticket to Work program, visit www.choosework.ssa.gov

Choosing to go to work is a big decision, especially for young adults with disabilities. It’s important to understand how work will affect their Social Security disability benefits and healthcare, as they transition to employment. Social Security rules called Work Incentives make it easier for young adults with disabilities to explore work and still get Social Security and healthcare (Medicaid or Medicare) benefits.

Social Security’s Ticket to Work program supports career development for people ages 18 to 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and supports they need to succeed in the workforce.

With the Ticket to Work program and Social Security Work Incentives, young job seekers with disabilities may:

• Begin work without automatically losing disability benefits
• Return to benefits if they have to stop working
• Continue getting healthcare benefits
• Be protected from a medical continuing disability review while their Ticket is assigned to an approved service provider and they are making expected progress with work or educational goals

Young people with disabilities who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits may also take advantage of the Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE).

This work incentive allows a person under age 22 and regularly attending school (including a college or university) or in a vocational training program, to exclude earnings from income up to a certain monthly and yearly amount. For 2016, the SEIE amount is $1780 per month and up to $7180 per year.  This means Social Security does not count these earnings when it figures the SSI payment amount. Generally the less countable income you have, the more your SSI payment will be.

The monthly and yearly limits of the SEIE are usually adjusted based on annual increases in the cost-of-living index.

Watch this helpful Social Security video about the SEIE. The 2015 SEIE monthly and yearly limits mentioned in the video are the same in 2016.

If you’re ready to explore the possibility of finding work, contact the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 (Voice) or 866-833-2967 (TTY) M-F 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET. Ask an agent to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket to Work “Find Help” tool. For more information about Social Security’s Ticket to Work program, visit www.choosework.net.