In this entry I'll discuss my experience obtaining a job: How things are difficult, how they are convenient, the realistic expectations, and my current job hunting status.
In the early 2000s, the job market was transitioning from door-to-door style job hunt to self-serve kiosks and website applications. Back then it was still the norm to visit the prospective employers to ask for an application while dressed in interview clothing so you could make a good first impression. You later return the application and hope for a call back.
So how did I get around the phone call aspect of job hunting? More or less, I didn't need to and that was luck on my part.
My first job offered me an employee position after a couple months being a volunteer. A job offer without putting in dozens of applications sure made it convenient for me to skip the interviewing process entirely.
My second job came through a temp agency business. I went in to take a typing test, they found me a data entry position.
Another job came around the time where application kiosks were becoming common. I went in prepared with my job history and references. They simply told me to come back the next day after 1pm and they'd be doing open interviews.
The above was pretty much right time, place, and opportunities.
That's not to say I never pounded the pavement for other job positions. T process wasn't fun. The above only highlights three easily hired job positions. Here's what I did to get around the pesky telephone portion of job hunting: I used female friends to call the business back, pretend to be me and set up the interview. As much as I'd like to believe businesses would have given me a chance if I called them using relay services, I am grossly aware discrimination is a reality. Not everyone gives people a chance to be interviewed because they may assume a Deaf person is going to be the worst fit for their business. It presents potential employers with too many what-if scenarios and it shuts down opportunities. People spoke on my behalf to schedule interviews and I don't feel the least bit guilty about that particular type of misrepresentation. In order for me to show the employer what a fantastic employee I am, I first need the interview to prove myself to them. I don't expect the world to be fair, so I do what I can to adjust.
I'm currently on a new job hunt. It's time to switch my job position to something that complements my interests in Animal Science / Veterinary. Thankfully, the job hunting world has changed from door to door application requests and has shifted heavily into an online communication process: You apply online; you communicate online to schedule interviews; you (sometimes) receive your job offer/declination online. This is an fantastic shift from relying on others to help me get a job, to being able to communicate with employers entirely on my own. So for everyone who bah-humbugs the shift towards technology reliance, I say, WOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!
[One slight downside to this shift is how some companies are now including on-site video pop questions. They play a video during your online application, you're given 30 seconds, and then your webcam records your response and it is sent to them. This shift is NOT favorable towards me as they are not captioned. It's just as much of a hindrance as it is to have someone call the company on my behalf. So far, this shift is geared towards specialty careers. Right now, I'm only looking for a job, not a career. So it shouldn't be an issue. ]
There's still an issue trying to obtain a job that does not require employees to use telephones. I'm hoping over the next 10 years, the majority of jobs/careers will be finished transitioning into online communication methods. E-mailing clients instead of calling them. Most people may not realize just how many jobs out there required telephone duties, so it's not just the interviewing process that involves finding alternatives to telephone communication. It is also difficult to find a decent job that doesn't mandate all employees handle phone calls. Sometimes this is an easy workaround if you can convince the employer during the interview that your strengths outweigh the telephone weakness. Most of the time, it will be a deal breaker for them. Why take the risk and hire someone who can't complete one duty when they can find someone who can do everything? This is not favorable towards deaf people like myself.
So how do I job hunt? It requires adjustments. But luckily the world is starting to adjust to favorable conditions for optimal results!
Here's to my new job hunt, and it is my hope everything remains an online process with the exception of the in-person interview.
