Insight: Attending job interviews as a deaf person without speech is challenging (BSL)

I have worked with relative success in the charity sector for several years. However last year my position ended as cuts were made and several jobs were lost due to lack of funding.

I was devastated to lose a position I had enjoyed so much but on the other hand I felt quite confident that it shouldn’t be too long to find a new job with the experience and knowledge I have.

I soon discovered that applying for jobs as a deaf person without a voice most definitely has its disadvantages. Whilst my English on paper is fantastic and I can email, understand documents and create presentations in English with relative ease, I do not have a clear voice that can be understood by others.

Previously – I have never let this worry me. In my old job I have worked regularly with fantastic interpreters who were able to represent me well and so building a rapport with those who don’t sign never used to be an issue.

However, my first job interview in almost ten years was nothing less than a disaster. After stating my access requirements and the company assuring that I had an interpreter attending my remote interview, I realised early on in the online meeting that the interpreter and I were not a match.

Not every interpreter works at the same level – I must emphasise this!

It was clear my interpreter was relatively new to the profession, was stronger at delivering BSL than understanding it and it resulted in a clunky, delayed interview where I felt poorly represented when it came to my voiceover.

If I had a clear voice I would have turned my microphone on and spoken – deaf accent and all! But I knew this wouldn’t be an option for me.

Instead I frustratingly reverted to typing when describing my ideas or finger spelling names / theories and I’m not sure who was more embarrassed- the interpreter or myself!

I finished the interview feeling deflated and defeated but the worst thing about it – was that it really wasn’t my fault.

I sought the advice of a deaf charity who also agreed I’d been unfairly treated and so with their support I managed to obtain a second interview with another interpreter.

I gave feedback to the interpreting agency too as I feel it is such a huge responsibility for interpreters to represent their client well and clearly – especially when they are applying for a job!

I wasn’t successful in the interview unfortunately but at least I understood now the importance of having a choice of interpreters and asking for reconsideration if I felt it was unfair.

I have since had several other interviews and the level of interpreting support has been a bit of a mixed bag. There is such variation in interpreting style and ability and it astonishes me what little power I have in ensuring I can communicate effectively.

According to the jobs I apply to I am not always able to choose the interpreter from the agency – it is always down to availability and affordability.

As most interviews are conducted remotely now I also switch on the captions so I can see what the interpreter is saying and a few times I’ve had to stop them and say – that is not what I said or meant and re-explain myself.

Delivering an incorrect voiceover is not only a nuisance it’s harmful to the deaf client and also gives us a greater disadvantage compared to hearing peers who can communicate directly with an employer.

I have also noticed with some employers they bring in two interpreters remotely for a 30 minute interview. I personally do not understand this decision – isn’t it better to work with one interpreter getting to know their delivery style without constantly changing between interpreters.

If an interview was to last an hour so I would understand but it seems a deaf person applying for a job has to have an awful lot more resilience and flexibility compared to those who are hearing!

In a perfect world there would be the same interpreter available each time to deliver my voiceover – who knows me and my style of working well. Perhaps this is where AI will come in handy in the future – if we can design technology to understand BSL – who knows!

I am still looking for a suitable position but I have a few interviews coming up in the next couple of months. Wish me luck!

This blog has been written anonymously as part of the Insight series where readers are invited to share their story or news about their interesting job with The Limping Chicken. If you have a story to share please email rebecca@rawithey.com

Image courtesy of i-stock photos.