I have been on so many interviews, I don't even want to count them. Some people I know have a spreadsheet of resumes/cover letters they send out, whether or not they got a first interview or a rejection. I am not a spreadsheet person, AT ALL! 

Whenever I send out an application, I wait and pray. Many times I don't get anything back, not even a form rejection email. The times I do get an interview, it's usually a phone call first. This is where my anxiety kicks in. Do I ask for an interpreter? Should I try to handle the call "normally" and just use my caption app? Often, I sit in my room debating how to respond to the interview request. My nerves always win out and I decide to use my cell phone with the aid of a caption app. 

I go into the interview will high hopes of winning over the interviewer and then the paic starts. Throughout the interview, I am constantly asking myself, Did I hear that right? Did I pause too long after the question before giving an answer? I hate talking on the phone. So. Much.

Then comes the in-person interview, if I make it that far. I try my best to dress in such a way that doesn't reveal my hearing aids. Purposefully, wearing my hair over them. I like to wear statement pieces so that the interviewers look at my outfit and miss those dark brown devices hanging over my ears. 

Us Deaf people are keen observers, we know when a person is uncomfortable with us. We most definitely know when they catch a glimpse of our hearing devices. Every time, without fail, if an interviewer finds out my secret - I never get the job. This is why I try very hard to act like a hearing person in an interview. By law, I don't have to disclose the fact that I am Deaf until after I am hired. In my experience, every time I show my cards beforehand, I am faced with rejection.

I can't speak for every Deaf person but I think I can confidently say, we want to be given a chance to prove what we are capable of. We can't do that unless you offer us a seat at the table. Sure, you can let us into the room by giving us an interview but that's not enough. Just because you can say that you interviewed a person with a disability doesn't make you or your company a welcoming place for us. We are constantly pushing through the negative stereotypes and misconceptions of our community. We may not be just like you, but we can add value to your company if you are willing to see what happens.