Me and My Job
Glen with his boss, Gilmours Hamilton owner-operator Dayne Riddell
A HELPING HAND AND A SHOUT-OUT ONLINE NETS GLEN HIS FIRST JOB By Libby Wilson The power of social media got Glen Terry noticed, but it was his enthusiasm for hard yakka that got him into work boots and a high-vis shirt. The 30-year-old, who has Down syndrome, is proud of the job title for his first mainstream role: store manager's assistant at Gilmours Hamilton. "It actually warmed my heart when I got offered the position," he said. “I’d never had a job offer like that, ever... It felt like I was going to be one of the leaders here.” After a week and a half working in the Te Rapa store, Terry learned the essentials for a good working life. "As long as I keep the boss happy, I’m happy," he said, with a grin at owner-operator Dayne Riddell. “It's not just a job for me, it's something I want to do.”
28
T h e p a i r we r e c o n n e c t e d by D i s a b i l i t y Employment facilitator Selwyn Cook – and online networking service LinkedIn. Cook hired many people with disabilities when he was running Z service stations, and now helps people with disabilities get into work. Terry was a client determined to find a part-time job, and said as much in a video Cook shared on LinkedIn. Within a couple of days it had 25,422 views and about 101 comments, including five job opportunities - a response which amazed even Cook. One offer was from Riddell, who thought Terry seemed like a cool guy and wanted him to come in for an interview. "[The post] had some phenomenal number of
