When you become disabled, one of the foremost concerns is, "Am I going to be able to return to my job?" Your doctor may give you a variety of new restrictions to work within, e.g., you may not be able to lift as much, climbing ladders might be prohibited, etc. - the list could be endless. Being told that you can and cannot do certain things as a result of your disability sometimes makes people feel that they can't do anything.

This is not true! To combat this feeling, you must make an effort to understand your skills and abilities, and focus on your strengths instead of your weaknesses. You can dissect your own vocational skills to see how they can be used in other jobs. This is done by looking at your work history and examining the actual skills, personality traits and physical demands that you have used while working.

• Examples of skills are as follows; organizing, mentoring, analyzing, communicating, counseling, listening, supervising, typing, computer skills, managing, estimating, ordering, assessing, budgeting, marketing, selling, welding, cutting, sewing, stocking etc.
• Examples of personality traits are; leading, directing, analyzing, using judgment, working independently, influencing, facilitating, etc.
• Physical traits are probably the most self-explanatory. For your knowledge, the government and industries categorize them from Sedentary to Very Heavy.

Make a list and write down the tasks you performed for each job, and develop a list of skills, personality traits, and the physical requirements required to perform each task. Review previous job descriptions and see how your job was described in writing. If possible, consult with a Vocational Rehabilitation specialist to learn about your transferable skills and apply previously learned skills to another job within your capabilities.

This can be a daunting task because most of us don't think of all the details when we are performing our jobs. Take it slow! The value of a detailed analysis is that it will make you feel more confident by looking carefully at every skill you performed. While outlining these skills, think of how they might be done differently to achieve the same outcome - this will help you better understand job accommodations.

Transferring skills from one job to another
Case Study: Jim, a 48-year-old Master Electrician for 20 years, injured his knees and is no longer able to perform the physical aspects of his job. Jim loved being an electrician and is committed to staying in this field if possible. However, his options are limited due to physical limitations. He cannot climb, kneel or bend his knees, or stand for prolonged periods of time. But Jim has worked in his field for many years, and knows many contractors. His knowledge of electrical work in industrial settings is also a strength. He analyzes his skills and determines that he has experience in estimating costs, coordinating materials and manpower needed, and managing workers. Based on this, Jim develops a resume emphasizing these skills and, after a short work search, is hired as a lead estimator and material coordinator for a large electrical contractor.

Everyone has many different talents and skills that can be transferred from one job to another. Being aware of your transferable skills is a vital strength during any job search, but becomes even more important if you are reassessing your career as a result of a disability. By identifying and marketing your transferable skills, you can develop a rationale for future decisions and actions that will ensure a successful return to work.