Job Interviews

It's been a hectic month in June but I'm excited to say that I've successfully passed my probation! Since we are on this topic, I thought it would be good time to address a "taboo" topic in the area of job interviews.

When should I disclose to my company about my hearing loss and should I even do so?

If you had these thoughts, don't worry! You are not alone. So I'm going to tell you two stories about my interviews and then give you my two cents regarding this.

Interview A

I had the dilemma of whether to inform. I was worried that my interviewer would see this as a disadvantage and write me off without even giving me a chance to show my abilities. In this case, I decided NOT to tell her, and spoke to her on the phone. I wanted to prove to myself that I could secure an internship/ job without playing up my hearing loss. Surprisingly, I passed the interview and was given the contract. Of course, I was elated and started working immediately, believing that I had achieved in proving my abilities. However, after two weeks of miscommunication, I decided it was time to tell her. While she had tried to be understanding, she asked why had I not tell her from the start. Afterwards, it became clear that she thought she had signed up as a "baby-sitter" (stereotypes about us do exist unfortunately - that we are incapable of performing important tasks. If a hearing person made the same mistake as a deaf person, somehow it is forgivable because it is a "honest mistake", while for the deaf, it becomes a mistake that "should not have been made"). There have been many instances of this (putting aside my issues with her) and it boiled to a pretty bad experience which I wholly would not want to repeat this in my life again.

Interview B

I had learnt my lesson from Interview A. I decided that I would be open from the start about my hearing loss regardless of any form of discrimination. If the interviewer refused to give me a chance, it just meant that the company was not where I would want to work at. Hence, in the subsequent interviews, I would introduce myself and immediately declare my hearing loss. It has resulted in some write-offs, but at the same time, some interviewers have been pretty understanding and I continued to proceed to the next rounds. Even though I hadn't gotten job offers from them, I was at ease because my mind was clear. It was an excellent filter to the companies who care. In Interview B, I went through the same process of introducing and declaring, to which I got a job offer with a three months probation period. Reasonable! And now here I am, having proven to my team with my work and attitude.

So here's my two cents. In the resume, don't mention it. It is the first round of filter and you WANT the interviewer to talk to you first to assess your abilities. During the interview, then I would suggest that you declare it from the start to set your potential boss's expectations. It really makes a difference, especially with the possible miscommunication involved. If your boss is not willing to make slight accommodations to your needs, then perhaps you should think if this is a company worth working in? Would you feel fulfilled working for such company?

What if it is a pretty known company and I really, really, want to get in?

That's a tough question. If you are confident in your own abilities and that your potential boss would not be impacted much in terms of your work, then perhaps you could tell him after you received the job offer. However, you need to always think of the worst case scenario: basically your boss is disappointed that you "lied" to him, and might ask you to leave since this is not what he "signed up for".

I get that the job market is tough right now, and I feel for you. I get that job interviews aren't the easiest thing (I personally felt how demoralizing it gets). But don't give up, be honest with yourself and your boss, and it could make an enjoyable experience after setting both parties' expectations proper.

You can do it! Believe in yourself, and remember that it all depends on your positive mindset and your ability to turn disadvantageous moments into winning moments.

Wishing you best of luck.

xoxo,

Claire