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First contract, problem with communication.

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    First contract, problem with communication.

    Hi Everyone,

    I’m new here and I need any advices for my situation.

    I’m person with profound hearing loss so I wear hearing aids.
    I’ve uploaded my CV into various jobs portals. I have 2 letters of references. I sent about 100 CV. A some of them sent me interesting offers but pleased contact by phone. And this is my main problem because I cannot speak by phone (better is contact face to face). I marked in my CV (contact by Text Message) but no replied.

    How can I convince employers/contractors to hire me?

    I have some years experience from my country (Poland) as Software/Test Developer. My dream is work as SAP Developer.

    Is there any ideas what should I do with this situation?

    Actually I don’t work in my profession (manual labor in warehouse). I live about 40 miles from London.

    Best regards,
    Paul

    #2
    The main problem is agents deal with fast turn over. They aren't very good when it comes to something a little different. Where as this is fine because that's the fast pace at this whole thing works it is very poor of them, and I am sure bordering on illegal, to pass you over just because you have slightly different needs. The thing is you'll never prove it at this point. It's only when you get to interview you'll have an idea if you have been discriminated against. What's worse is many of the agents dealing with roles like warehousing will just be grads or trainees. Even with specialist contract jobs they are pretty clueless.

    I must admit I don't have a clue how to fix this. Are you in touch with various support groups and charities that could give advice on how to handle the situation, make the agents more aware, other methods of communication that might be better?

    A lot of these agencies also advertise in the window. Would going around with CV's on foot so meeting face to face be better? That way the person you meet will be much more aware of your needs for further correspondence?
    'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

    Comment


      #3
      I've worked with a handful of deaf people over the years. The two contractors were only deaf in one ear while the permies where deaf in both. The contractors had no issues dealing with agents etc on the phone and you couldn't tell immediately they were deaf unless you had been around deaf people before. The permies did have problems on the phone and I know one of them had only worked for large companies because of this.

      In your case you are going to have to apply to large companies directly bypassing agents for permanent work. This is because large companies are always looking out to be more diverse. The majority will have websites with a careers section so it is a case of applying on those and stating your requirements e.g. contact me by email.

      Some SMEs also look to being diverse however they are much harder to find so the only way you can do that is by finding ones in your local area, seeing if you can apply on their website, or visiting them in person to hand in your CV at reception and to explain why you are there. (Knowing people who have got jobs that way you will get a lot of rejections but you may strike it lucky.)
      "You’re just a bad memory who doesn’t know when to go away" JR

      Comment


        #4
        No idea if there is any work in your skillset available but keep an eye on the Civil Service Jobsites. They have so many rules in place your situation might actually work in your favour.
        'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

        Comment


          #5
          You could look for jobs that specifically mention the two ticks scheme. It's a scheme that guarantees an interview for anyone with a disability as long as you meet the minimum criteria. https://www.civvystreet.org/employer...cksscheme.aspx

          Not often you'll see these on agency adverts only really on direct employers. I'll admit, it will be tough to secure a contract but if you'll look at permanent roles then you may have more joy. How effective the scheme is I'm not sure, I imagine it's a bit hit and miss with each company.

          You can get a list of all employers that are registered on the scheme in any particular area by making a freedom of information request - https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/select_authority

          Good luck in your search and I hope that the above may offer some help in your search.

          Example job - https://www.networxrecruitment.com/J...lRfNzCnNiB2Ehv
          Last edited by Agent; 3 October 2016, 16:16.

          Comment


            #6
            Thank you for these reply.
            I noticed that some agency totally ignored my emails about offer. And you are right that this situation looks like not typical for them.

            Actually I don’t have support group because no one went far as I in career. I speak normally verbally, most of deaf people use sign language - it looks like totally other world. I don’t know sign language.

            At previous work (In Poland I was Test Developer) most of time I’ve used emails, skype-chat, text message and were fine.

            I think that the biggest problem is in mentally. People don't want make additional improvements.
            I’ll start to apply for large companies and visit them (if possible).

            I’ll check the Civil Service Jobsite and all other websites. Thank you very much!


            Best regards,
            Paul

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