Job Interview Questions: Does withholding information about deafness during job interview mean I am being dishonest?

I am late deafened and have been having issues finding employment since becoming deaf. I never had issues before being deaf. I made sure to inform all potential employers beforehand in which I received no interviews. I now withhold the information about my deafness and I am getting tons of interviews. My plan is to provide information about my deafness after receiving job offers so that I can have a fair chance. I'm kind of at a crossroad as to how to go about this.

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There is absolutely no need to disclose beforehand, since like in the past had trouble getting your foot in the door for an interview. The hardest part is getting the interview to sell yourself in person.

But at the interview, you should disclose it, since now you are in person and could state that per your interview you were able to understand and comprehend the qualifications that is required for this particular job and since you are getting a lot of interviews now, appears that you might have something "special".

But as you stated in a prior question, you were offered a job and only disclosed this after the offer was made, which might put some employers "uneasy" not because of possible special circumstances, but if you did not disclose this, what else have you not disclosed?

There maybe some employers out there that even if you "wow" them in the interview and tell them might be scared off, but to tell them that you wanted to prove to them that your deafness will not affect your job performance, only that you might need a little help.

good luck

Questions to Ask During a Job Interview - Make Sure You Cover These!

• I am not certain where you live, but as someone who hired people for many years AND has a disability myself, I know that you may be violating the law in the U.S. You should be provided with a job description for any job for which you apply here. The job description should list any *essential functions* of the job. If hearing is NOT listed as an essential function, yet it seems to be an essential function when you read the rest of the job description, I feel that it is then your job to ask if it is an essential function. At the interview, legally (unless the company's funding requires they hire people with disabilities, such as at Centers for Independent Living), they are only allowed to ask whether you "can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without accommodation." I don't know if you can get through the interview without accommodation, or what field you are looking for work in, but hearing is a pretty significant skill in most jobs. I think you have to disclose it.


• It is a toss up.
  Employers are required by federal law to provide any equipment necessary for an employee to do a job.
  Being deaf,someone will have to tell you when the work buzzer goes off to start work,take breaks and go home as well as any alarms (storm,fire).
  I do not think you have to disclose the fact that you are deaf before the interview.


• If your deafness is not obvious to the interviewers, I see no reason to disclose it. That's not illegal.
  
  I suppose under the odd circumstance that they actually ASKED you if you are deaf, and you said "No", that might be illegal. Otherwise, what information you provide at the interview is completely within your control.


• yes