Tips and tricks for the hard of hearing.
A typical recruitment process may include two types of job interview,
each representing a set of challenges. In this article we hope to address the two types of job interviews, phone based and face to face based, and offer practical means to manage your hearing loss when attending each of the two.
A Telephone Based Interview:
A telephone based interview is normally held with the recruitment company and sometimes with the employer as a type of first interview. The recruitment company will conduct a telephone based interview due to the sheer number of job applications it receives, while an employer will use the telephone based interview to short list candidates before a face to face interview. Here are a number of tips which will help:
1. Schedule On Your Time - Attend the interview when you are in a quiet room so you have no distractions. If you are already working, recruiters will often work around your schedule offering you early morning or late evening slots.
2. Use Your Preferred Device - There are communication devices to conduct a conversion. You might be use Skype, a mobile phone or land line phone and the quality of the conversion may change between each device. Make sure you schedule the interview when you can use your preferred communication device.
3. Consider Amplified Aids - Several devices are offered which are tasked with amplifying sound. Amplified phones are standard phones in their functionality which differ from others because of two unique functions. Their ringer is amplified and the speaker is amplified making it easier to hear the person on the other line.
4. Request A Written Interview Instead - If you are unable to attend a phone interview, you may consider asking for a written interview instead.
A Face To Face Based Interview:
As a job candidate you may attend one, two or even three face to face job interviews for each position. The tips listed below are effective when used with common face to face job interview tips as your self confidence plays a major step in your chances of success. These tips include:
Ï Researching information about the company and understanding its products
Ï Understanding the precise job description and how your experience fits in
Ï Being prepared with a set of answers to likely questions
Ï Being prepared by writing down a list of questions to ask the employer
Specific hard of hearing face to face job interview tips:
5. Position Yourself Well – those that are hard of hearing will often use lip reading, even subconsciously, to aid in overcoming their hearing loss. When you are asked to sit down by the interviewer, choose the seat right in front of the interviewer. Watch the speaker’s face, lips and gestures for clues as to what’s being said.
6. Use A Hearing Aid - These are tiny devices which can amplify sounds and can be most effective when mild or moderate hearing loss is diagnosed.
7. Relax - Think about your breathing and control your nerves. Some hearing loss sufferers have other associated conditions such as reduced self confidence and therefore feel more nervous. Before you start talking, take two deep breaths, as it will help you to slow down when you start to speak and create a more confident impression.
8. Pay Attention To Your Body Language - Your verbal content only provides some of the message the interviewer is receiving from you. Your tone, your mannerisms, body position etc are more important than your actual words.
