Employment Support Professional CESP Reddit Questions

According to the ADA National Network1, a reasonable accommodation is any change to the job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that allows a person with a disability who is qualified for the job to perform the essential functions of that job and enjoy equal employment opportunities. Examples of reasonable accommodations include making existing facilities accessible; job restructuring; part-time or modified work schedules; acquiring or modifying equipment; changing tests, training materials, or policies; and providing qualified readers or interpreters. Lowering the quality or quantity standards for work, or reallocating an essential function of a job, are not reasonable accommodations, as they would alter thefundamental nature of the job or the employer’s expectations. References: 1: Reasonable Accommodations in the Workplace | ADA National Network

According to the CESP Candidate Handbook1, Domain 2 of the CESP certification covers Individualized Employment and Career Planning, which includes the following tasks:

• 2.1 Conduct person-centered career planning and discovery activities to identify the job seeker’s skills, interests, preferences, and support needs.
• 2.2 Assist the job seeker to develop an individualized employment plan that reflects his or her employment goals and support strategies.
• 2.3 Assist the job seeker to explore and access education and training opportunities related to his or her employment goals.

The best initial step for an employment support professional to help a job seeker who is interested in doing auto body work, but does not know much about it, is to help him visit with the auto body garage to better understand the work. This would be an example of a person-centered career planning and discovery activity, which would help the job seeker to identify his or her skills, interests, preferences, and support needs related to auto body work. It would also provide the job seeker with an opportunity to learn more about the work environment, the tasks and responsibilities, the qualifications and requirements, and the potential earnings and benefits of auto body work. This information would help the job seeker to decide if auto body work is a suitable and realistic employment goal, and to develop an individualized employment plan accordingly.

The other options are not the best initial steps, because they either assume that the job seeker has already decided on auto body work as an employment goal, or they do not provide enough information or exploration for the job seeker to make an informed decision. Helping the job seeker research the career’s potential earnings (option A) is important, but it is not enough to determine if the job seeker is interested in andcapable of doing auto body work. Helping the job seeker fill out an application at a local auto body garage (option B) is premature, because the job seeker may not meet the qualifications or requirements, or may not enjoy the work once hired. Helping the job seeker enroll in the auto body course at the local community college (option C) is also premature, because the job seeker may not have the necessary prerequisites, or may not find the course relevant or useful for his or her employment goals.

References: 1: CESP Candidate Handbook, page 10.

Motivational interviewing is a client-centered, directive method for enhancing intrinsic motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence1. It is based on the principles of collaboration, evocation, and autonomy2. The best question to ask using motivational interviewing techniques is one that reflects these principles and helps the client to examine their own reasons and consequences for their behavior. Therefore, the option C, “Can you help me understand your decision to steal candy?” is the best question to ask, as it invites the client to share their perspective without judgment, expresses curiosity and empathy, and allows the client to have autonomy over their choices. The other options are not consistent with motivational interviewing techniques because:

• A. “What do you think will happen if you get caught by the manager?” is a question that focuses on the external consequences of the behavior, rather than the internal motivation to change. It may also imply a threat or a warning, which could increase the client’s resistance or defensiveness.
• B. “If you get caught you can be prosecuted; are you going to keep stealing?” is a question that confronts the client with a negative outcome and a closed-ended question that limits the client’s response. It may also elicit a negative reaction from the client, such as denial, rationalization, or hostility.
• D. “That was not very smart; what made you think that was a good idea?” is a question that criticizes the client’s intelligence and judgment, and implies that the counselor knows better than the client. It may also damage the rapport and trust between the counselor and the client, and make the client feel ashamed or angry. References:
• Motivational Interviewing
• Motivational Interviewing: Definition, Techniques, and Efficacy

Asking an associate with experience at the company to give you an assessment of the work culture is the most likely way to determine the workplace culture of a company that you are exploring for the job-seeker. This will help you to understand the expectations, norms, values, and communication styles of the company and its employees, as well as the level of supervision and feedback that the job-seeker can expect. This information can help you to match the job-seeker’s preferences and needs with the company’s culture and avoid potential conflicts or misunderstandings. The other options are less helpful because they do not provide direct or reliable information about the company’s culture. Asking his family for ideas may be useful for general strategies, but not specific to the company. Attending the employee orientation may give some insights, but it may not reflect the actual work environment or the supervisor’s style. Reading the company handbook may provide some formal policies, but it may not capture the informal or unwritten aspects of the culture. References: