Guest blogger: A clear job search makes everyone's life easier
As a rule, a job search takes place online and requires many digital skills from the applicant.
Job postings can be found on websites, and applications are sent either by email or in electronic systems that require login and identification. The applicant is expected to be able to fill in electronic application forms and send attachments. The applicant may also be asked to provide an introduction video of their skills or take part in a job interview via a video call.
A job seeker must learn many different digital skills that they rarely need in reality. A job search often involves uncertainty and pressure, which may continue for weeks or months. An applicant may not submit an application if the process is too complex and the workload too large. Even so, the applicant may have strong competence required by the job in question.
Would good employees and jobs find each other better if cognitive accessibility were taken into consideration in the job search process?
Easy and understandable online services serve everyone
Job seeking affects almost everyone at some point in their lives. However, the use of online services is difficult for a significant proportion of Finns. The use of online services becomes easier when they are built to be easy to use and understand, i.e. cognitively accessible.
Cognition refers to the processing of information and to brain functions, such as thinking, learning, problem solving and memory as well as the ability to understand and use language. Everyone has different capabilities for processing information and it varies according to the situation. In particular, people with learning difficulties, memory problems, linguistic difficulties, and concentration difficulties benefit from cognitive accessibility. Cognitive accessibility serves everyone and increases the number of people who can use an online service.
An online service with cognitive accessibility is one that is clear and simple for the user and provides guidance on how to use the service. This means that it is also easy for a first-time-user to use and understand. A clear online service also saves time and reduces unnecessary contacts.
Many organisations invest in cognitive accessibility
It is easy to become blind to the content or use of a familiar online service. The best way to assess your online service is to test it with different people and request feedback. Training on cognitive accessibility for service developers and administrators also increases understanding. Even minor changes can affect the successful use of the service.
Although legislation does not yet require that online services be cognitively accessible, many organisations have already realised the importance of accessibility. Investing in accessibility is worthwhile. It can help in reaching a larger group of people and save time and resources. Accessibility does not end with correcting one thing; it is a continuous process.
Getting started is easy
You can examine the ease-of-use and comprehensibility of your organisation's online service and improve these using the instructions and tools on the Clearly for Us project's website. The information and material on the website have been produced on the basis of numerous user tests together with experts by experience. In addition, organisations can purchase training on the comprehensibility and accessibility of digital services and websites from Kehitysvammatuki 57 ry. You can read more on accessibility requirements on a website dedicated to them and maintained by the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland.
The most important aspect when designing and developing online services is to keep people who will use the services in mind. A clear and understandable job search will make everyone's life easier, but especially that of those who are not used to using an online service. An online service with cognitive accessibility is a good and equal service.
More information
- Selkeästi meille – Vinkkejä ja ohjeita kognitiiviseen saavutettavuuteen (selkeastimeille.fi, in Finnish)
- Tilaa koulutusta (kvtuki57.fi, in Finnish)
- Let's make services accessible – Web Accessibility Requirements (webaccessibility.fi)
Author
Satu Timperi
Expert
Kehitysvammatuki 57 ry
For a period of four years, Satu worked as the project manager for the Clearly for Us project jointly maintained by Kehitysvammatuki 57 ry and the Finnish Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The project promoted the cognitive accessibility of online services together with experts by experience.