EARN is the premier recruiting source for employment service providers who work with jobseekers with disabilities. Below are answers to EARN users’ most frequently asked questions about increasing job opportunities for your clients, receiving job postings from local and national employers and helping clients apply for and interview for jobs. If you have a question that is not addressed below, please contact us at: 1-866-327-6669 (M-F, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, EST) or earn@earnworks.com. We will typically respond within 24 hours of receiving a message or email. Visit the General FAQ for more information about EARN or visit the Employer FAQ or the Jobseekers FAQ to find out more about disability employment from their points of view.
Signing up with EARN
- Why should I use EARN?
- What sorts of organizations are signed up as employment service providers?
- Can EARN help me find interested jobseekers?
- Can EARN help me find new employers to work with?
- How can I sign up with EARN?
Using EARN
RECRUITMENT
- What kinds of jobs are posted on EARNWorks?
- What kinds of employers/companies post jobs?
- How do I find out about jobs for my jobseekers?
- Can I search for jobs online?
- Can I have jobs sent to several people in my organization?
- Can I submit resumes to EARN?
- What happens when my jobseeker is qualified for a job? How do I refer a jobseeker for a job I found (or heard about) through EARN?
- How can I help my jobseekers apply for jobs?
- How does the jobseeker referral process work?
HIRING AND PLACEMENT
- Will my jobseeker be interviewed after they apply for a job through EARN?
- Will my jobseeker receive preference for a job because they use EARN?
- Will an employer know my jobseeker has a disability when they apply? Should my jobseeker disclose their disability when they apply for a job?
- What happens when employers receive a jobseeker referral from EARN?
- What does EARN consider a successful job match?
- What if we don’t hear from the employer following a job match?
- How can I assist my jobseeker in preparing for an interview?
WORKPLACE ASSIMILATION
- What is my role and how can I help employers once my jobseeker is hired? Am I obligated to do so?
- Can I receive a fee from jobseekers or employers when I refer them for an EARN job posting?
Signing up with EARN
Why should I use EARN?
EARN is the premier recruiting source for employment service providers working with jobseekers with disabilities. We will send you job alerts for new postings in your area and work with you to increase job opportunities for your jobseekers. As an EARN service provider you and the jobseekers you assist have access to EARN job postings via EARNWorks Job Source. These job openings are from employers who are already interested in hiring people with disabilities, and are thus more likely to examine your jobseekers’ resumes more closely. You will also have access to both online and offline information and resources on a range of disability employment issues to support your efforts to reach employers.
What sorts of organizations are signed up as employment service providers?
A variety of organizations are service providers; the only requirement is that they work with persons with disabilities. Some examples are colleges, universities and other school systems, community-based organizations, state and private vocational and rehabilitation agencies, non-profit organizations, Career One-Stop Centers, professional associations, advocacy and networking groups, and veterans’ organizations.
Can EARN help me find interested jobseekers?
Jobseekers can search jobs, post their resumes, apply for positions and receive job email alerts through EARNWorks Job Source. In addition, they often contact EARN requesting information about supports in their areas. If you are a service provider in their area, EARN refers these individuals to you.
Can EARN help me find new employers to work with?
Yes. As an EARN member you will have access to exclusive job postings on EARNWorks Job Source from EARN’s vast nationwide network of employers. You will also get firsthand knowledge of our newest employer partnerships and receive information about the latest networking events and conferences.
How can I sign up with EARN?
In order to sign up with EARN, you should fill out our Online Sign Up Form. The online form will prompt you for your contact and organization information. After submitting your information, an EARN Employment Specialist will contact you directly to assist you with finding jobs and career opportunities for your jobseekers.
Using EARN
RECRUITMENT
What kinds of jobs are posted on EARNWorks?
EARN receives a wide range of jobs, from entry-level service positions to management-level opportunities. At present, approximately half of jobs posted on EARNWorks Job Source are professional and technical. Typically, twenty percent of jobs are administrative, and the remaining are in service, management and sales. In addition, our employer outreach efforts continue to boost the types and number of jobs posted.
What kinds of employers/companies post jobs?
Our employers consist of businesses and organizations that are interested in hiring qualified jobseekers with disabilities. They range from major corporations and Fortune 500 companies aiming to increase their diversity, to small businesses looking for innovative ideas to meet their workforce needs and everything in between.
How do I find out about jobs for my jobseekers?
EARN emails employment service providers when we receive job postings in their area. EARNWorks Job Source allows you to log-on with your username and password and search for job postings by occupational category, education level and location.
To search for job openings for your jobseekers, please log-on to EARNWorks Job Source. If you’re not an EARN member, we encourage you to sign up by completing our Online Sign Up Form or contacting an EARN Employment Specialist to assist you by phone or email.
Can I search for jobs online?
EARN members can access our extensive database of job postings through EARNWorks Job Source. You can search jobs by keyword, job category and location.
Can I have jobs sent to several people in my organization?
Yes. One organization can sign up multiple points of contact or locations with EARN. If several members of your organization would like to receive customized job email alerts, please contact an EARN Employment Specialist.
EARN can also help you target multiple locations by providing you with jobs only within the regions you specify. Contact an EARN Employment Specialist to ensure that each of your locations receive job postings for their specific areas of interest.
Can I submit resumes to EARN?
Yes. In order to submit a resume, you should follow the application instructions provided in the job posting of interest.
We are unable to follow up with jobseekers about potential leads on an ongoing basis and request that inquiries be about current jobs posted with EARN.
What happens when my jobseeker is qualified for a job? How do I refer a jobseeker for a job I found (or heard about) through EARN?
You should follow the application instructions provided in the job posting of interest.
How can I help my jobseekers apply for jobs?
Have your jobseekers post their resumes on EARNWorks Job Source. Also encourage them to search for and apply to jobs at Job Source. If you are submitting a resume on a jobseeker’s behalf, review the resume to ensure that the jobseeker meets the minimum qualifications of the job and has followed appropriate resume etiquette.
How does the jobseeker referral process work?
The referral process begins when you or your jobseeker submits a resume following the application instructions provided in a job posting. Each employer has their unique procedures for processing a resume. However, many rely on EARN to pre-screen resumes. EARN’s prescreening process ensures that the jobseeker’s resume meets the minimum requirements and preferences requested by the employer. If the jobseeker meets these requirements, we will refer their resume to our employer point of contact. Regardless of whether an employer relies on EARN to pre-screen resumes, once an employer has processed a resume, they will contact you if they wish to proceed with the referral. View our Referral Process (PDF) for more detailed information.
HIRING AND PLACEMENT
Will my jobseeker be interviewed after they apply for a job through EARN?
A successful match does not necessarily mean your jobseeker will be interviewed or hired. EARN facilitates job matches, but it is employers who are responsible for initiating interviews or hiring individuals. Typically, employers use EARN as one of several services to assist in recruiting applicants, and most of the jobs they post with us are for competitive positions.
If a match has been made and you have not heard from an employer, EARN will gladly follow-up to determine the status of your jobseeker’s application.
Will my jobseeker receive preference for a job because they use EARN?
EARN simply provides companies with matches for job postings, so we have no way to influence an employer’s preference for a jobseeker. Typically, employers have demonstrated a commitment to recruiting people with disabilities by signing up with EARN.
Will an employer know my jobseeker has a disability when they apply? Should my jobseeker disclose their disability when they apply for a job?
While EARN does not disclose a person’s disability to employers, we encourage jobseekers to reference EARN when responding to a job posting. This helps employers know that we are the source of the jobseeker referral. We will not release an individual's name without getting prior approval from you and the jobseeker.
We suggest jobseekers follow the same guidance about disability disclosure when applying to our job postings as they would for any other competitive job. Although the decision is up to them whether or not to disclose their disability, they should be prepared to explain any gaps in their work history.
Remember that by using EARN, employers are actively recruiting people with disabilities. Please let us know if a jobseeker would prefer not to indicate that they were referred through us. We’re happy to work with you to find an alternative solution.
What happens when employers receive a jobseeker referral from EARN?
EARN assists employers in their recruiting efforts by providing them with jobseeker referrals and consulting on disability employment matters. It is an employer’s responsibility to initiate contact with service providers and/or jobseekers if they wish to proceed with a referral. As is the case with any recruitment and hiring process, not all employers will follow-up. Although it is standard practice for us to send you a follow-up email within two to four weeks after a referral, if you do not hear from an employer please contact an EARN Employment Specialist. We will make every effort to determine your jobseeker’s status.
What does EARN consider a successful job match?
A successful job match is a jobseeker who applies for or is recommended by an employment service provider and meets or exceeds the minimum skills, knowledge and experience requirements for a position posted by an employer.
What if we don’t hear from the employer following a job match?
An employer will usually contact you if any follow-up is needed. However, you can contact an EARN Employment Specialist to inquire about the status of your jobseeker at any time following a referral.
How can I assist my jobseeker in preparing for an interview?
The best way to assist your jobseeker in preparing for an interview is to make sure they a plan. They should know what to do before the interview (proper dress, what to bring, how to get there, inform the employer of any necessary accommodations, etc.), during the interview (practice asking them questions the employer may ask), and after the interview (follow up with a thank you letter). You can find more information in the Interviewing Tips document under our Tools section.
WORKPLACE ASSIMILATION
What is my role and how can I help employers once my jobseeker is hired? Am I obligated to do so?
Although EARN makes the connection between you and an employer, everything else is business as usual. You should continue to provide your standard services, such as additional support and training, once your jobseeker is hired. While you are not obligated to help your jobseeker’s employer, offering assistance will contribute to the establishment of a more successful relationship between you, your jobseeker and the employer.
Can I receive a fee from jobseekers or employers when I refer them for an EARN job posting?
EARN is a cost-free service and does not allow fees to be charged to employers for any referrals through us. Any fee-based services you offer should be negotiated with employers or jobseekers directly.
