Based on a survey by The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), is charitable organisation working on behalf of the UK's deaf and hard of hearing, the UK has 9 million hard of hearing. If you are one of the 9 million people who suffer from a hearing disability, a job interview may appear quite challenging, perhaps even complicated.
A recruitment process may include two types of job interviews, each represent a set of challenges for the hard of hearing. The first is a telephone based job interview and the second is a face to face based job interview.
By far the most common job interview and one which causes the most challenges for the hard of hearing is the face to face job interview. The goal of the interview is to ensure compatibility and sufficient experience of the job seeker to the position. An employer will often make reasonable adjustments based on your hearing disability, so together with following up on these job interview tips below, you stand a good chance at progressing in the recruitment process.
Improve your hearing by using hearing aids - according to the RNID, 1.4 million out of the UK’s 9 million hard of hearing use hearing aids on a daily basis. Modern technology offers electronic means to amplify external sounds which you will find handy in a face to face job interviews.
Digital hearing aids are the most common as they are portable and discreet.
Fill in missing words – to improve your self-confidence you need to know that people who do not suffer from hearing loss tend to miss words as well, only for them it is less noticeable. Without even realizing they cope with the situation by filling in words based on the overall conversation theme. The strategy of filling in words is designed so you understand the concept, rather then every single word.
Position yourself accordingly during the interview – as a person suffering from hearing loss, you will need to use coping strategies to bridge over your disability. If possible move closer and position yourself so that you are facing the interviewer as close as you can. You might also find it useful to ensure that the room is well lit and you can see the interviewer clearly, especially the interviewer’s lips. Watch the speaker’s face, lips and gestures for clues as to what’s being said.
Pay attention to your body language - verbal content only provides some of the message and feedback that the interviewer is getting from you, the rest comes from your demeanor and body language.
Assertive body language reflects that you are confident in the situation and in your answers, while at the other end, moving uneasily during the interview may signal reduced self-confidence.
Do your research and be prepared – an important step in any job interview preparation is to have your answers readily available. Before the interview takes place, write down your recent achievements and how the employer might benefit from your skills and experience. The employer is most interested in your achievements and experience, so having these answers prepared will allow you to focus better and feel more relaxed and confident in your suitability for the position.