You've done it! You've landed that job and received an offer from the hiring manager, but the offer isn't the right fit...
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It may be the case that the position does not meet your salary requirements even after negotiations. Perhaps you've identified some red flags throughout the course of the interview and the environment no longer seems to be a good fit for you...OR maybe you have multiple offers and you have to select only one! 
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Regardless of the reason you find yourself declining an offer of employment, it is important to utilize this opportunity to maintain a positive and professional relationship. So how do you communicate such a decision to a hiring manager without burning any bridges? 
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Our Tip: Be Professional, Appreciative, Honest & Communicative! 
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The morning started much like any other sleepy Saturday. The sun shone high in the summer sky and the hot air was already sweaty with humidity. It was, after all, August in Florence. 
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…but there was something different about this morning. The world was full of possibility – of excitement – because this particular morning was reserved for Suiting…
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The referral had come in earlier in the week from Connie’s Workforce Connections, one of our four official Referral Partners, and our volunteers were eager to schedule the #SuitingAppointment and prepare items for our new friend. Well Suited for Work, which is fully volunteer-led and donation-driven, aims to tackle the challenges of poverty in our local communities One Suit at a Time. Our goal is for each client to walk away from their appointment with pre-laundered and pressed outfits that can be worn right off the hanger to an upcoming interview or new employment.

It is time for another #CareerTipTuesday and this week we're excited to provide information and resources for our friends with disabilities. Whether you're returning to the workforce for the first time since experiencing a disability or your disability has been a part of your entire professional career, navigating the hiring process can feel like a landmine. There are countless opportunities to misstep or lose firm footing. 
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Deciding whether to disclose a disability or to request accommodations can add to the pressure, fear and stress of the process...AND it is important to understand the protections in place in order to make the best decision for you! 
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Discrimination on the basis of disability is prohibited in ALL STAGES of employment under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This includes the pre-employment stage! However, even though these protections exist, both discrimination and stigma still remain a reality for many with mental and physical disabilities. 
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So how do you know WHEN and even WHETHER to disclose such information during the hiring process?
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Our Tip: Understand Your Options and Resources! 

While the job search process can be stressful, tedious and overwhelming for jobseekers, it also requires significant time, effort and resources from employers. Drafting postings, reviewing resumes and scheduling interviews all take time and effort. Therefore, it is no wonder that many employers choose to streamline the process as much as possible through automation. 
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Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are often used to screen out unqualified candidates electronically, far before a hiring manager or HR department reviews an application. This means that it is possible for your application to be placed in the proverbial "No Pile" (even if you are qualified for the role), if your application does not meet the requirements as programmed into the system. 
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So how can you ensure that your application makes the cut, when you possess all the necessary qualifications for the role? 
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Our Tip: Make the Applicant Tracking System Work FOR You!  
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The job search process can be an emotional rollercoaster. It is often a long, repetitive process...and for most folks, it includes A LOT of rejection! Presenting your best self to potential employers requires confidence, introspection and self-awareness. For many of us, this can be emotionally exhausting and mentally draining. 
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So how do you stay healthy and confident throughout the process in order to preserve and land that dream job?
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Our Tip - Practice Self-Care: You're Worth the Time!