Hey guys! Welcome back to my channel
Sorry about the mess in the background. We're renovating around the house
So we can put it up for sale then move by the end of the year or next year. We'll see
It takes time to renovate, you know how it works
Okay so I just got back home from a job interview
That's why I look extra nice, a little bit of makeup
I just want to explain everything from my experiences of how many interviews I had to go through
And what it is like to be deaf and go through an interview
Educate some of you guys if you aren't aware
Let's get started!
Ok so I remember I started looking for a job when I was in high school because I wanted to earn extra money
But it was super tough
Most of the time, people would rather hire people when they're above 18 years old
I wasn't 18 years old at that time so I understood why
So I waited when I got older, I remember I got my first job when I was 18, I believe
It was right after I graduated from high school
It was a summer program for high school kids
It was environmental, worked on/cleaned up the trails, everything related
It was called Student Conservation Association (SCA) and I absolutely loved that job
It was a six weeks program
It really helped me a lot about how to communicate with people, team leadership, skills, etc
It was really fun! I enjoyed the program
Right straight after I was finished with the program, I had a really severe foot injury
So I had to take a year off from everything
Because I couldn't walk for a couple of months, then I could but again, I couldn't
I went through a lot of physical therapy, surgery and all of that stuff
After that, I finally got a job a year later
I remember before getting the job
I was constantly looking for a job, I applied to many places such like fast food, retail, any jobs that doesn't require much experience
Easy jobs I can get for younger teens
I constantly applied to many jobs and I didn't really hear anything back
Till finally at last, Target. Finally!
So I went in for an interview, I remember being nervous for it.
They did provide an interpreter. I was lucky and grateful. Because not every place won't provide one for you
It went very well
About a week later, they called me to say that they wanted to hire me officially
I was really happy about it
I was excited about it. It went on for 3 months (seasonal)
But unfortunately, what I did was stocking so I had to get up really early in the mornings
3-4 times a week. It was from 6AM to 10-11AM, I believe
At first, I did enjoy the job but then I had school that would clash up with my work schedule
I became very overwhelmed so I decided I had to quit since it wasn't working out for me
So about a month later, I needed to get another job obviously because I needed money
I mean how would I pay for school, books, gas since I was driving to school and everywhere else
My parents preferred me to rely on myself, not 100 percent dependent on them
I was okay with it so I looked for a job
At that time, I admit it was easier because it was during the holidays
I noticed once I got a little bit of experience from working at Target for 3 months
After that, it was easy. I got bunch of interviews. They wanted me to come in for an interview
I was taken aback. I was surprised
Back of my head, I was like of course it's all about experience
I got one interview that made an impact on me. It was at Banana Republic
One of the managers, he was really interactive with me even though he didn't know sign language
I informed him that I was deaf
From other interviews I went to, they were very doubtful and didn't want to do anything with me
Because they tend to say that we have a communication barrier
"We don't want to take too much time training you"
"I would much rather have for you to just come in and get right into the job"
They didn't want to waste their time with a deaf person and having to take a lot of time to train. I was disappointed (offended)
But at Banana Republic, they were interactive and very willing to train me. I felt very touched
He was a really sweet man and I was very thankful
He wanted to hire me right on the spot. I was surprised
Besides that, I want to explain about what did I see, what I had to deal with, what kind of experiences
So I remember when I went to interviews such like Target and QFC
They called me to see if we could set up for an interview and I told them, "Of course I would like to!"
I let them know that I'm deaf and I would like to request for an interpreter if you could provide
Those two places, they were able to provide one for me. I was very lucky. I was grateful
It really helped me with communication
I would much rather have an interpreter because having one could help me communicate much better that way
Because I can speak pretty well but I'm not fluent
That's why it's important for me to have one so I can be interactive so the hiring manager could understand me
It gives me a better chance of being hired
Most of the time, they typically don't provide an interpreter
Or they would have one of their employees that might know a little bit of ASL. I'm like better than nothing but yeah
I remember going to some interviews, sometimes I would just bomb the interview like really bad
Usually before we could begin the interview, I warn them that I'm deaf
And sometimes they would get annoyed when they find out that I'm deaf
Then they would try to cut the interview fast as possible as they can
I get very frustrated. I'm like, "Wow you wouldn't even give me a chance. Like you never know"
Even though if it doesn't really matter if I'm qualified or have the experience
Once they find out that you're deaf or kind of a disability or whatever that would hold you back from the job you have to do
But I warn that even though I'm deaf. I can lip read, I have a hearing device, I can do anything.
It doesn't affect me from doing my work. I just need a little bit of support and help, that's all I need
I'm not asking for much but they get scared away when they find out I'm deaf
I get a little frustrated
So that's why I try to tell you guys (deaf) is to EDUCATE
Because a lot of people out in the world are not educated. They don't know much about the deaf culture
It's getting better though! But you know..
I remember there was one job interview, it was at a food place
I was excited because I really needed a job
So there was one person, she was a sweet woman. She was interactive with me
She told me, "You're a great person! You have great experience, you're perfect. But you're deaf, I'm concerned
about how long we have to communicate since this is a fast paced place. So I don't know about your deafness and communication"
I was like, come on. So that is one of the cons. Sometimes it can hold us back
It sucks sometimes because I'm like it doesn't matter if I'm deaf or whatever
If I had the same kind of qualifications/experiences all of that.. If I was hearing instead, they would hire me easily
But if I'm deaf, they would doubt about my communication or don't know how long it will take
They would feel like you will take too much time so they try to stay away
Let's compare that and see the difference
That's why it's up to me. It's up to you guys to show and prove that you can do it!
Like for example, yes I'm deaf, obviously of course
But I tell them directly that I understand I'm deaf but I can lip read, I can speak a little bit, I have a hearing device
All I need is a little bit of support. I actually have an app. You should download the app!
It's called Ava
Let me show you guys
My best friend, Cheyenna, she showed me the app and it really helps me a lot
Turn on the microphone and have the person speak into the speaker
Cool right? It said hello automatically
???
Even though I didn't say YouTube
But you get the idea
I'm hooking it up for you deaf people or whoever else. You're welcome
My point saying is that you have to be assertive. I mean you have to. Show them. Educate them!
Show them that it doesn't affect how you will work
That's how I have to be like because how really my personality is like
I'm very timid, shy, and introvert (more of ambivert lol)
I mean I'm not that kind of person who would be direct and be open about yourself
I mean it sucks because I have to be out of my comfort zone
But it really helps because at some interviews, they would be taken aback
Like "Oh you can do that, I didn't know"
It would really change their perspective
So think about it!
Another thing that I hate when I go in interviews is that I tell them they would need to look at me
It's because that's how I can lip read and understand you
Sometimes they're like oh okay you're deaf... Then they look away and start talking while not looking at me
I'm like, how am I supposed to understand you like that way
Sometimes I would have to remind them again to look at me and sometimes some people won't do that
I get very frustrated and that's when I know it's not the right place for me to work at
Because for me, my top priority is to find a work place where I can be accepted
I can't work in a place where people would push me away because I'm deaf
It's very important for me to have people understand that I'm deaf and put in effort to communicate with me
I would feel much more happy (touched). I mean honestly!
But then if you don't, like what do you expect?
I mean no one likes going to interviews! It's very nerve wrecking honestly
Be more assertive even though some of you guys may be introverted
You have to be more assertive to show them. Educate them
They would be taken aback and realize what you're really capable of!
That could give you a better chance of being hired
It sucks because I know for some people, they're trying to get a job or whatever
Like we're adults. We have bills to pay. We have responsibilities
Please don't try to push us away
But in the real world, it's very hard for us since we have to really show or put a lot of effort that we're capable
So it would be really nice at least if you could meet us halfway
We don't ask for much, honestly. We just don't
All we ask for you to look at us and for some people who can't speak, please try to write down and be interactive with us
We will be happy to meet you halfway and put in the same effort as much as you do
This isn't really a planned video whatever. It's more of a rant video and off topics
Sorry if it's not in order
I just wanted to vent out and explain about my experiences. Also what I've been seeing lately
I hope some of things I said will help you benefit somehow
If you have any comments/opinions/thoughts, comment below! I want to hear what you have to say
Don't forget to like this video and subscribe!
See you guys later! Bye guys
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