From humble beginnings in a small Swedish village, IKEA has now flourished to be recognized in 44 countries and employs more than 90,000 people. IKEA strives to uphold its vision of improving everyday life by offering great design products at a reasonable price. Ranging from beds, lamps, and desks to toys, kitchenware and yard supplies, IKEA offers virtually everything one needs for the home.

Special Care and Career Services' relationship with IKEA began even before the Frisco, TX, store officially opened. Based on extensive understanding of our client as well as knowledge of IKEA's hiring practices, one of SCCS's Employment Consultants felt strongly that one of her clients, Ian, would be a perfect candidate for employment at IKEA. The store's human resources staff interviewed Ian and soon agreed that he could be an asset to IKEA, and in December 2005, Ian was hired as a Recovery Clerk.

Ian is a man of many talents, and his position at IKEA allows him to demonstrate this versatility. His duties include auditing the sales floor, pricing furniture, and organizing hardware. But his most challenging and important task is building furniture. IKEA recovers damaged merchandise from the sales floor, repairs and rebuilds it, and then sells it at a reduced price. And Ian is more than up to this challenge.

Darrin Blackwell, Recovery Department Manager and Ian's supervisor, stated that the damaged merchandise that Ian rebuilds brings in at least $600 per week in sales-money that would otherwise be lost.

In addition to his direct contribution to the company's bottom line, Ian has a bevy of other qualities that make him a great employee. According to Mr. Blackwell, he is consistent, punctual, courteous, productive, and always smiling. He also creates a sense of unity among the Recovery Department staff, which enhances the work environment.

Ian is such a good fit for IKEA because his Employment Consultant at Special Care & Career Services understood his skills and interests and worked tirelessly to secure a job at which he would succeed over the long term. To add your company's name to our growing list of satisfied employers of persons with disabilities, contact Jenny Pecht, Marketing Specialist, at 972-991-6777, ext. 143 or jennyp@specialcarecareer.org to set up an initial meeting with one of our team members.

As noted in the previous issue of Employer's Link, Special Care & Career Services' Supported Employment program consists of four phases of service that prepare our clients for the ideal job match. Each stage is designed to ensure long-term, successful employment. After getting to know the client and his or her skills and interests in Phase 1 of the program, our Employment Consultants then begin Phase 2: Job Development.

At this stage, the Employment Consultant draws upon his or her assessments and experiences with the client in order to search for the right job. Job Development entails a variety of activities, including but not limited to the following:

• Developing the client's resume
• Helping clients complete job applications
• Building relationships with business contacts in industries relevant to the job search
• Training the client on interview skills
• Setting up and attending interviews with clients
• Communicating regularly with the client and his or her supports

Congratulations to the following companies that recently hired skilled, capable employees through Special Care & Career Services.

• CD Warehouse, Inventory Management
• C.C. Young Retirement Community, Hospitality Aide
• TXU (CRC Group), Mail Clerk