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CareerConnect mentor Chuck Dennis Home > CareerConnect > For Mentors > Tips on Answering Queries

Tips on Answering Queries

  • First, let the person know that you appreciate hearing from him or her.
  • Let the individual know that you value his or her effort to seek out information.
  • Acknowledge the individual's feelings (frustration, anxiety, etc.).
  • If the query is from an intermediary, mention that the person who is blind or visually impaired may also contact you directly.
  • Share your experiences in deciding on a career and securing the "right" job, including the length of your job search and what other jobs you held during this time.
  • Provide any suggestions you may have for researching, identifying, and approaching suitable companies...stress the importance of getting to know other employees, whether through volunteer or temporary positions.
  • Ask for details about where mentees are in their academic or training programs and how that training realistically compares with yours.
  • Discuss how to keep skills current, whether through continuing education courses or internship programs.
  • Recognize a prospective mentee's positive efforts (such as membership in a consumer organization or civic club) and remind her or him how a personal/professional network may provide helpful job leads.
  • Address concerns about transportation, assistive technology, and accommodations.
  • Provide questions to ask local rehabilitation practitioners, assistive technology (AT) trainers or AT vendors, to learn more about related products and services.
  • Specify how much, if any, vision you have so individuals can evaluate whether the tools you use would be suitable for their use.
  • Share any other resources with which you might be familiar.
  • Encourage mentees to maintain contact and let them know that you are available for further questions.
  • Refer visitors to the CareerConnect staff, as needed.


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  • Tips on Answering Queries

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The American Foundation for the Blind wishes to thank the following for their contributions of funds and expertise that have enabled the creation of CareerConnect® materials designed to help employers, job seekers with vision loss, students, family members, rehabilitation professionals, and educators.

For lead gifts that enabled the creation of much of the site's content, we wish to thank

The Bernard A. Newcomb Foundation at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation
The James H. and Alice Teubert Foundation

For gifts that enabled the overall design and materials for employers, we thank

The B & B Trust
The Motorola Foundation
The George B. Storer Foundation

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For gifts in support of mentor and job seeker materials, we thank

Citigroup Foundation
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
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