Helping job seekers with autism find their path through Jobtimize^®

The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) has expanded its employment program, Hire Autism, to all 50 states following the completion of its Northern Virginia-based demonstration test.

Hire Autism helps individuals with autism find meaningful employment opportunities by supporting them through various aspects of the job search process, including career exploration to job search readiness.

To aid in setting the foundation for a successful job search, job seekers can get their résumé or cover letter reviewed by seasoned professionals who provide direct feedback on job seekers’ résumés/cover letters to ensure that they are polished and ready to send to employers. Job seekers also have access to a jobs portal with autism-friendly employers and career search resources.

As part of Hire Autism’s national expansion, OAR has partnered with Fit First^®Technologies, a company specializing in online career matching technology, to test Fit First^®’s Jobtimize^®; career assessment tool. This tool is free to all job seekers with autism. Based upon an individual’s behavioral traits, attitudes, interests, education and experience level, Jobtimize^® provides job seekers with personalized job recommendations and listings in their area. The Jobtimize^®; test period will take place from January 13 through April 30, 2020.

“We are eager to take this first giant step to test Hire Autism’s capacity to support job seekers with autism across the country,” said Mike Maloney, OAR’s Executive Director. “And we are excited to have Fit First^® as our partner as we pilot test Jobtimize^®. Together we hope to deliver even higher quality support to individuals with autism as they look to find meaningful employment.”
All OAR resources, including Hire Autism, are free to all. Interested individuals are encouraged to create a profile on Hire Autism’s website where they can apply directly to job opportunities and request assistance with résumé or cover letter development. Following a successful registration, individuals will receive an email with a link to access Jobtimize^®.