Having enjoyed my internship with the Financial Services Authority (FSA) so much, I wanted to thank EmployAbility for making it all possible! Between the team they have a wealth of experience in recruitment and were able to offer me the guidance I needed with my application. They also have good relationships with the firms, which helps them communicate any adjustments during the application and on the job.

EmployAbility is about much more than applying for jobs! Justin was excellent at providing help and support throughout the application process – from the form to the final interview. After I received an offer I was invited to an orientation event to enable me get the most from my internship. During the internship itself, I was offered further support and invited to attend networking events with EmployAbility alumni.

I thoroughly recommend EmployAbility to all students and graduates with a disability – as they take every possible measure to ensure your disability will not impinge on your application or your performance on the job.

JA, Physics with Finanace at Queen Mary University of London (2012)

When I first became aware of the FSA Graduate Development Programme, I was extremely interested in finding out more but nervous about the application process. The support from Justin and everybody at EmployAbility gave me the confidence to apply and their help and advice from the original insight day to the application and then assessment centres was invaluable.

I genuinely feel that I would not have been successful without this support and I would like to thank everyone at EmployAbility for the absolutely fantastic work they do. I feel so lucky to have had their knowledge, experience and support behind me during the whole process and in particular cannot thank Justin enough for his constant and still ongoing help, advice and encouragement.

I am so excited about starting the Programme but believe that this amazing opportunity would not have been possible without EmployAbility, and would highly recommend other students and graduates apply through the organisation. Thank you so so much for everything!

RN, MA Diplomacy at Nottingham University (2011)

I am extremely happy to write to you today to let you know that I have just been offered an internship role at Dow Chemical Co. UK.

If it were not for your team’s advice and support I know that I would not have gotten this far, much less been offered this position. When I had my first appointment with Claire in March, later with Sarah in May, I was doubting my situation and condition entirely, but the personality and interview techniques notes that they administered gave me confidence that enabled me to give my best during the interview.

Thanks to you and your excellent team for all of the hard work that you did on my behalf, from checking over my CV and helping me to prepare for my interviews. I am very happy that with this job offer I have been placed on the right path of my career progression. I would not hesitate to recommend EmployAbility to others (with disabilities), who are in need of career counselling and employment – hopefully I will be available to support your team whenever there’s an opportunity for such!

AA, Chemcial Process Engineering at UCL (2011)

EmployAbility supported me the whole way through making applications.  Justin was always able to help me through the process of letting employers know of my disability.  The one thing I learnt from applying for graduate schemes is not to give up after facing rejections from companies and that EmployAbility will be there to help you the whole way!  When I encountered a problem with an agency not providing a reasonable adjustment for my application, Justin advised me and was more than willing to help me through with the request.  Overall I would definitely recommend EmployAbility to anybody – they will never let your disability affect your application to potential employers!

OB, International Management, University of Manchester 2011

Thank you Justin, and everybody at EmployAbility, for all your help throughout my job search. I especially found the workshops useful and it was nice to be able to speak to other graduates about their experiences. I found the feedback that I received from the FSA particularly useful and it has certainly encouraged me to think about the ways I can improve on specific skills.

AG, Theology MA, St Andrews (2011)

I am starting my work placement with the FSA this coming Monday (June 2011). I just wanted to drop you a quick email to thank EmployAbility once again for being so involved in the application process, and for all the support throughout. I am very sure that we will remain in contact throughout my placement, and if you have any further tips, I would very much like to hear them.

If there are any projects or voluntary work that is going on, which I may be able to help EmployAbility with, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I think the work your organisation does can change people’s lives and has had a huge positive impact on my life.

HH, Banking & Finance (London Metropolitan) 2011

In a difficult economic climate EmployAbility assisted me into a job on the graduate development programme at the FSA (Financial Services Authority).

Justin, Tab or Sarah were always one phone call away and able to answer any queries that I had. They helped and advised me in reviewing my applications, discussed adjustments and helped me throughout the recruitment process. Both in and outside the skills workshops they ran, they made it clear what was expected of me at interviews and assessment centres and this really developed my confidence (a personal thank you to Justin).

EmployAbility is not just an organisation to make applications through. Over time you build up a relationship with each and every member of the team so that they come to know who you are and what your needs are. Their expert knowledge on recruitment enables them to tailor the process to accommodate your specific needs. This is combined with a personal touch and a flexibility that makes the process comfortable for disabled/dyslexic candidates. I would recommend EmployAbility to everyone regardless of how severe or minor your disability is.

LO, Politics, University of Sussex (2011)

I would like to thank EmployAbility for all their support in enabling me to find a one year Work Placement. I find the staff extremely helpful and polite. The employer insight days that EmployAbility arranges are really helpful, and the one I attended was critical in me gaining some real and useful information. Because of the direct approach EmployAbility has, I did not have to spend a lot of time explaining my situation to different employers and so a lot of stress and pressure was taken off me.

The above are just some of the positive contribution EmployAbility has made throughout my search for employment. I hope the team at EmployAbility will continue doing the great work that they do, and that more people will become aware of their outstanding services.

HH, Banking and Finance at London Metropolitan University (2011)

After suffering permanent hearing loss and tinnitus last year I was concerned about how to make potential employers aware of my disability and necessary adjustments for interviews and assessment centres. The support and encouragement I have had from EmployAbility has been fantastic and I have just found out that I will be starting a full time job on the FSA graduate programme next year. I would definitely encourage other disabled students to apply through EmployAbility for internships and graduate schemes and would like to thank the team for their hard work and dedication in helping me.

LV, Language Sciences at University College London (2011)

The LSE has successfully worked with EmployAbility to support disabled students in the transition from education to employment over many years. The students that we have suggested contact EmployAbility have always benefitted from the support and advice that EmployAbility have provided. From our perspective, the results speak for themselves – over the last two years, EmployAbility have helped 122 LSE students in their transition into employment, many of whom have gone on to being offered roles on some very competitive internship or graduate programmes with top investment banks, accountancy and law firms.

Earlier on in the academic year, The LSE Disability and Well-being and Careers service ran a very successful event, partnering with EmployAbility, which Goldman Sachs kindly hosted. Of the LSE students that attended the event, 3 went on to successfully obtain Summer Internship roles at Goldman Sachs through EmployAbility. Others who were advised and coached by EmployAbility obtained roles with other employers.

Tab, Sarah and Justin not only understand disability and employment issues, but are supportive and encouraging to students, and play a crucial role in enabling and empowering disabled students to make the job applications that they should be making, based on their abilities rather than their disability. Additionally, EmployAbility are able to provide opportunities for students to apply to the internship and graduate programmes of ‘disability inclusive’ employers who are seeking talented students from the LSE.

I would recommend the EmployAbility team to any employers looking to attract talented disabled students to their organisations for their ability to use their knowledge, experience and expertise in the area of disability and employment to benefit both disabled students and employers alike.

We look forward to our continued work with EmployAbility in working with disabled students in their journey on from university and will be partnering with them in forthcoming events we have planned for disabled students in the 2011 Autumn term.

Dr Nicola Martin, Head of LSE Disability and Well-being Service, June 2011

(I am also Chair of National Association of Disability Practitioners NADP. Please note I am writing in my LSE role as NADP cannot endorse any provider)