Many deaf people turned down finding a job

[Heath]

You have to show you are a superb worker and that you really know your stuff before going to a job and if necessary get job training for a certificate which means more better pay and benefits and take a very good and a very positive clue from the military. They are always on time or they are thrown in the brig , so think of it this way If I am late to the job interview or going to work then I could not get the job easily on the spot or I eventually will get fired or " let go " in a nice way. I know Deafies have to work twice as hard to prove to the hearing boss and co-workers that they are good workers and strangely enough when I work for a Deaf boss, the stigma and the stress is not there like when I work for a hearing boss and I keep having to clear up misconceptions about Deaf people and it does not help that the another half of the Deaf community show themselves to be lazy, not show up on time or dress sharp with a clean cut shaven face or a Deaf woman is in tank top and her stomach flab is showing and a sweatband around her head or a Deaf man dressing like black people do with baggy pants and their butt showing which is digusting. That will destroy the another half of the Deaf people's reputation as a hard working community faster than we ever could do on our own you know what I mean ? I work hard and make sure to learn and know my stuff and show up on time and dress appropriately and sharp. I stay superior in whatever it is that I am employed in wheter my boss is Deaf or hearing.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

I applied GS 7 and 9 for 12 years. I never got promotion since 12 years ago.

Did you talk to your employer why you didn't get it?

If it doesn't work then you have to write a letter to your Employer to demand the reason in writing why you didn't get promotion. If they point out that deafness is the reason why they did not promote you then go to lawyer!!!!

It was happened to me at 20 years ago. I was shock after learn that my income is different as hearies when we have same job position. I got my Employer in writing with reason. I found out the reason is because I can't phone... I protest at to Work Council of disablity rights. They gave me right and make my income equal as hearing because phone has nothing do with our job description - we are not telephone operator but job skills...

It would be different story if "telephone operator" in job description.

 

[Gemtun]

I have to agree with Dennis and Neecy on their points.

I have interviewed over hundreds of deaf applicants in the past three years. I was appalled by the majority due to:

-lack of knowledge of job they are applying for
-their hostility
-their unrealistic expectations
-their unreasonable demands
-demand to hold onto SSDI or SSI while working thus can only make certain income

For instance, I interview this person and is impressed by her expertise. Then she says "I cannot work on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays because I like to party or go out of town. I cannot work on Wednesday nights because I have this Bible study." Then I knew that this would never work out because she is already demanding that I bow to her personal schedule. What happened to HER trying to impress ME?

For me, I think that the biggest issue is that most of them expect their job schedule to revolve around their personal schedule. I am shocked at how they demand to have this or that day off. I have worked non stop since I was 14 years old and I have never asked my boss for such demands. I simply earn my paid time off and use it appropriately.

But I am not saying that ALL deaf people do that. However, most of them could use training in job searching, job ethics and how to present themselves to companies, etc.

I think the biggest issue is to see deaf people HOLD onto their jobs. So many lose jobs over poor job ethics and unrealistic expecations/demands.

 

[Gemtun]

I applied GS 7 and 9 for 12 years. I never got promotion since 12 years ago.

Oh no - you are entitled to a promotion after twelve years! Have you directly contacted your boss or his supervisor regarding this?

My fiance is now at GS 9/11 and will be 11 in March.

 

[LinuxGold]

I haven't been "discriminated against" on my deafness thus far.

1) I know my rights. I am honest and up front with potential employers once I get an interview, and they have zero problems hiring me after the interview. I never mention my deafness on my application or resume.

2) I have not, to my knowledge, been placed in "deaf friendly" positions, in other words, jobs where I do not have to use the telephone or not interact with customers. All my jobs have been directly interfacing with customers or clients who do not sign, and I have earned many, many commendations on how I interact with those clients even in situations without interpreters and with interpreters.

2a) I've worked in theme parks, as a contractor for an IT company, an IT employee for two different colleges, and as a manager for a high technology company.

3) It's always about selling yourself into the job. It's about convincing the employer to want you for the position, not a hearing person. The only way to do that is to make them think you're the best.



I've done a bunch of job interviews with many deaf applicants. Many really don't present themselves well. They appear nervous, they seem desperate for the job, they act cold and unfriendly, they appear clueless about the job they are being interviewed for, they don't show that they're smart and educated. Why would I want to hire someone who doesn't show the talent and people skills I need?

There was a series of interviews I was giving for an IT position. I made sure the local deaf community knew about it. I got a ton of sloppy resumes, cover letters in ASL grammar, and several of these applicants claimed they had Masters degrees! It was appalling, and many of those got thrown out simply because it was obvious they didn't want to take the time to impress me.

Then came the interviews. Luckily, since I sign, I didn't have to worry about accessibility, nor did I have to deal with the stigma of "won't hire me because I'm deaf." Several people I interviewed gave made up answers, argued with me during the interview that the questions were too tough, and even came into the interview with an attitude instead of being friendly and polite. They didn't SELL me on their ability to do the job. I had no choice but to pick from the candidates that were not as qualified on paper but, dang, they made me feel they could do the job.

Exactly! It is my common wisdom to execrise this maxim: "It is wise to study one's adversary" by studying employer's mission statement, their practices, who and their positions and all that. But I got a question though: When I called an employer via relay service (both IP-relay and Video Phone) to followup on the job lead that I might have with them. When I spoke with that employer, he/she said that they were impressed with my resume and would like to talk with me DIRECTLY instead of this "Job Agent". The relay service interferred the conversations and explained that I'm deaf and after finding that I was deaf, my common reply was "Oh, ok you will be on the file for 60 days". Now with you as an interviewer, I would appreciate pointers on how I can "bypass" that from ever occuring again because it happened 5 times? Your advices would be GREATLY appreciated and if you want, you can PM me and I will give you my resume. I am currently looking for a job.

 

[Cousin Vinny]

Thats why you have Lawyers.There are laws in this country you have to abide.And if you been turn down because youre deaf you simply run to a lawyer.

Lawyers are a good idea if you've already been employed and now facing difficulties on the job. However, for pre-employment discrimination, I'm not so sure. Pre-employment discrimination is a difficult case to prove and not a lot of lawyers would be willing to take on such cases on a contigent basis.

 

[webexplorer]

It sounds too easy for you to say that. Does a lawyer willing to help you if you have very little money or no money?

 

[Mookie]

Did you talk to your employer why you didn't get it?

If it doesn't work then you have to write a letter to your Employer to demand the reason in writing why you didn't get promotion. If they point out that deafness is the reason why they did not promote you then go to lawyer!!!!

It was happened to me at 20 years ago. I was shock after learn that my income is different as hearies when we have same job position. I got my Employer in writing with reason. I found out the reason is because I can't phone... I protest at to Work Council of disablity rights. They gave me right and make my income equal as hearing because phone has nothing do with our job description - we are not telephone operator but job skills...

It would be different story if "telephone operator" in job description.

Liebling, you do apparently not know much about U.S. Federal Government.

There are too many competitors to apply for the each opening position. I have applied too many positions before my agency phrase out at the end of FY 2007. My co-workers also applied for two years, but no luck.

No federal employee would obtain the promotion except the target promotion which he/she can be promoted for passing from the probation or must impressed his/her for his/her full competent skills . If he/she wants to make extra money, anyone has to apply for another opening position for higher grade or better pay.

 

[Cousin Vinny]

1) I know my rights. I am honest and up front with potential employers once I get an interview, and they have zero problems hiring me after the interview. I never mention my deafness on my application or resume.

I wonder what advice you would give to DHH job applicants with an obviously Deaf resume? Just fake the whole thing? Change a few words here and there?

I have a Gally degree and have worked in jobs in the Deaf 'industry', i.e., working in Deaf non-profit social services agencies. While that was a great experience, I felt underemployed. Now, I'm unemployed and I'm trying to find a job in mainstream businesses and governmental entities. I really don't want to go back to the Deaf 'industry'. (Although, I'll grant that underemployment is a whole lot better than unemployment!)

What advice would you have for a DHH person trying to break into mainstream businesses, government and non-profits, after a career in the Deaf 'industry'?

3) It's always about selling yourself into the job. It's about convincing the employer to want you for the position, not a hearing person. The only way to do that is to make them think you're the best.

I tend to agree with you on this. Unfortunately, the world is increasingly competitive. In the legal industry, a single attorney opening in my state can easily attract 200+ resumes. Essentially, I have to really 'stand out' in order to attract job interviews and job offers. To date, I have not yet gotten a single job interview, ever since I got licensed. A lot of employers don't even bother to acknowledge my employment interest with a follow-up letter.

Yes, I'm very frustrated and getting a little bit angry about my job situation. But, anger will not get me anywhere and I have to focus better energies into my job search efforts. I may have to enter the market myself and start a business, utilizing whatever little entreprenurial skills I have! If no one can believe in me, I do believe in myself!

Moreover, I have two close friends here, both Gally graduates. Both are underemployed as well. One has family connections I could only envy, with many owning businesses of respectable sizes. Yet, this person still couldn't get a job within any one of his family businesses! As a result, he has a home-based business, and seems to be doing allright. The other friend is a roofer and works with his uncle.

I know them to be very much more capable than that and am extremely disappointed that they aren't given a fair shake in today's employment climate. I know a lot of DHH friends who are unemployed and underemployed, and can empathize with their situation.

 

[rockdrummer]

why do u always blame deaf people ? I would need your support
to blame against these corporations recruiters and these
people with hiring authorities

OMG... there was no blame there. How did you get blame out of that??? Geeze!

 

[Mookie]

Oh no - you are entitled to a promotion after twelve years! Have you directly contacted your boss or his supervisor regarding this?

My fiance is now at GS 9/11 and will be 11 in March.

I am sure your fiance will get GS11 which it is target promotion that he is currently on GS9. He has to impress his boss with his competent skills for short period.

If your fiance applied GS9, there is no promotion.

 

[Gemtun]

I am sure your fiance will get GS11 which it is target promotion that he is currently on GS9. He has to impress his boss with his competent skills for short period.

If your fiance applied GS9, there is no promotion.

Oh I know that it wasnt a promotion but he is striving for GS 11 and will get it in March, according to his supervisors. Im just talking to Kalista as I know Kalista spent many years in Fed Govt too so I dont understnad why she isnt on a higher GS.

 

[Mookie]

Exactly! It is my common wisdom to execrise this maxim: "It is wise to study one's adversary" by studying employer's mission statement, their practices, who and their positions and all that. But I got a question though: When I called an employer via relay service (both IP-relay and Video Phone) to followup on the job lead that I might have with them. When I spoke with that employer, he/she said that they were impressed with my resume and would like to talk with me DIRECTLY instead of this "Job Agent". The relay service interferred the conversations and explained that I'm deaf and after finding that I was deaf, my common reply was "Oh, ok you will be on the file for 60 days". Now with you as an interviewer, I would appreciate pointers on how I can "bypass" that from ever occuring again because it happened 5 times? Your advices would be GREATLY appreciated and if you want, you can PM me and I will give you my resume. I am currently looking for a job.

You need to sue job interviewer. You may need to sue Relay Service for informing him/her that you are deaf.

 

[Gemtun]

why do u always blame deaf people ? I would need your support
to blame against these corporations recruiters and these
people with hiring authorities

We cannot point fingers at ANYONE period. I only look at situation itself. We will never have 2 stories to each stituation though but I think it is a cop-out if we all blame these corporations and recruiters solely. We dont know what these deaf people DID or SAID in interviews or on their resumes, etc.

 

[Cousin Vinny]

It sounds too easy for you to say that. Does a lawyer willing to help you if you have very little money or no money?

Yes, lawyers do finance cases on client's behalf. It all depends on the case, its relative merits, strengths, weaknesses, etc. However, not all employment lawyers do this and prefer a monetary retainer. The employment law arena is a risky endeavor and many cases have been lost, making employment law actions, self-financed by lawyers, all but unfeasible.

 

[Kalista]

Oh no - you are entitled to a promotion after twelve years! Have you directly contacted your boss or his supervisor regarding this?

My fiance is now at GS 9/11 and will be 11 in March.

Now I am processing to re appeal with EECO Office of Federal Operations in Washington, DC to find out why I am not the same other hearing people's salary. I have a college degree. They do not have the college degrees and work with Federal Service less than I do.

I have been with Federal Service for 25 years.

 

[Gemtun]

Now I am processing to re appeal with EECO Office of Federal Operations in Washington, DC to find out why I am not the same other hearing people's salary. I have a college degree. They do not have the college degrees and work with Federal Service less than I do.

I have been with Federal Service for 25 years.

Hugs Kalista - I am with you all the way. Do let me know how the re-appeal goes. Have your supervisors ever provided you direct evidence that would justify your not earning same income as your peers does?

 

[Cousin Vinny]

-demand to hold onto SSDI or SSI while working thus can only make certain income

I do believe that the SSDI questions are legitimate. It proves that the applicant has an appreciable work history and is trying to retain health insurance that is otherwise prohibitively expensive if privately acquired. SSI receipients, OTOH, shouldn't be asking questions like that. It only proves that they haven't worked, if at all. I have counseled SSI receipients in the past that working is always a better alternative to being on the SSI rolls indefinitely.

"I cannot work on Wednesday nights because I have this Bible study."

I would be careful of such assertions like that, as they imply religious freedoms that employers would have to be cognizant of. Generally, you're correct; applicants should be trying to impress the interviewer and be very flexible on scheduling and the like. Long time ago, I remember filling out a Publix application for front service and marked down that I was willing to work anytime and on the weekends. I was hired on the spot. I don't think that would've happened if I didn't mark off these checkboxes.

I think the biggest issue is to see deaf people HOLD onto their jobs. So many lose jobs over poor job ethics and unrealistic expecations/demands.

Very true. I understand what you're (& Dennis) is saying; Employment is a two way street, where both employer and Deaf applicant/employee have to come together and work things out. There are numerous 'bad' employers, just as there are numerous 'bad' DHH applicants and employees. Education on both sides is essential if we are to solve the nagging employment problems of many DHH people.

 

[Mookie]

Now I am processing to re appeal with EECO Office of Federal Operations in Washington, DC to find out why I am not the same other hearing people's salary. I have a college degree. They do not have the college degrees and work with Federal Service less than I do.

I have been with Federal Service for 25 years.

I think I know why there is a problem on your resume. However, there is nothing wrong with your resume.

I learned a hard lesson why I received low points every opening positions that I applied. I have to check on job details that I have constantly added or revised on my resume for every opening position. Can you imagine that I have three long resumes with a single-line! No wonder why I forgot to add my experiences on my resume when I notice immediately the job details from the opening positions.

You may need to discuss with your boss to arrange the HR specialist to teach you tips. That’s right…I have learned a lot from the HR specialist.

About college degree, don’t you know that there are many federal employees who do not have college degrees. However, they already gained lots of experiences from the military forces. I know it is not fair for deaf individual with huge educational credits, but he/she never had any real experience from the military sector, public sector and private sector.

You will notice why federal government has high points for the experiences and low points for education background.

I.E., 70 points for experience and 12 points for education (5 points for 2-year degree, 10 points for 4-year degree and 12 points for master degree/PhD).

 

[Kalista]

I think I know why there is a problem on your resume. However, there is nothing wrong with your resume.

I learned a hard lesson why I received low points every opening positions that I applied. I have to check on job details that I have constantly added or revised on my resume for every opening position. Can you imagine that I have three long resumes with a single-line! No wonder why I forgot to add my experiences on my resume when I notice immediately the job details from the opening positions.

You may need to discuss with your boss to arrange the HR specialist to teach you tips. That’s right…I have learned a lot from the HR specialist.

About college degree, don’t you know that there are many federal employees who do not have college degrees. However, they already gained lots of experiences from the military forces. I know it is not fair for deaf individual with huge educational credits, but he/she never had any real experience from the military sector, public sector and private sector.

Well, there is unfortunately for the Federal Employees are very frustrated and struggled for their climb up their ladder for the promotion. There are a lot of favoritism and nepotism out there. I did apply many position Upward Mobility Grades, they turn me down due to communication barrier.

You will notice why federal government has high points for the experiences and low points for education background.

I.E., 70 points for experience and 12 points for education (5 points for 2-year degree, 10 points for 4-year degree and 12 points for master degree/PhD).

That is bull shit. I have seen alot of PHD or Master degree, they made GS 7 or 9. One man who was over weight about 300 lbs, he is phd. He is in GS 9. Who would hire him GS 12 ? Tell me... You need to kiss your supervisor's ass for the promotion. (Brown Nose) By the way, that man who was over 300 lbs passed away a month ago. It is really sad.

I know, the lady who worked for Federal over 28 years. She is Grade 3. She has a difficult to talk and write the English due to slow development.