Research the Company. Take some time to research the company so you are familiar with how they operate. There is a lot of company information available online. You might be asked what you know about the organization, so check out the "About Us" and "Careers" sections of the company website if you're interviewing with a large employer. For smaller employers, review their website to get an idea of what the company is about. Also,​ check social media pages to ascertain the company's current focus.

Learn About the Job. Find out as much as you can about the job you’re applying for, then ask yourself, "Why am I the best person for this job?" Do you know someone who works at the company? Ask them about the job, the interview process, and the company. The more you know about the job, the easier it will be to answer questions about why you'd be a good fit for it.

Perfect your "Elevator Pitch." An ‘elevator pitch’ is short summary, summarizing who you are, your background and your relevant experience. It’s called an ‘elevator’ pitch because you should be able to effectively deliver it in the same time it takes to complete a ride in an elevator – so aim for about 30-60 seconds long.

Preparing an ‘elevator pitch’ style response ahead of time can be hugely valuable in ensuring you’re able to explain clearly, with confidence and conviction, why you are the best person for the job.

Practice Interviewing. If you are a teen, review typical teen interview questions and answers, then ask a family member or friend to ask you some questions so you can practice your answers. These tips will help you practice interviewing, so you'll be more comfortable with the process.

Dress Appropriately. Choose simple and appropriate attire for the position you are interviewing for. 

Write a Resume. A resume will make a good impression on the interviewer. You don't need formal work experience to write a resume. You can include informal experience, volunteering, academic achievements, and your participation in sports or clubs. Bring a copy of your resume, if you have one, to the interview, as well as a pen and paper so you can take notes.

Get Directions and a Ride. If you need a ride to the interview, line it up ahead of time. Make sure you know where you are going for the interview so that you do not get lost and are either on time or – even better - a few minutes early.

If you're under 18 and your state requires teens to have working papers, bring these with you.

Try to stay cool and collected. Staying as calm as possible will help you focus on the interviewer. If you feel flustered, pause and take a few deep breaths to gather your thoughts.

Wait like a pro. Adopt a professional approach when you’re sat waiting for the interview, using positive, confident body language. Now isn’t the time to check your social media accounts or WhatsApp your friends. Instead, switch your phone off before you enter the building and leave it alone until afterwards. If there are any corporate brochures to hand, flick through these while you wait.

Be confident in your skills and abilities when you are talking to the interviewer. If this is a first job for you, remember that you aren't expected to have a lot of experience.

Try to incorporate what you know about the company into the discussion.

Be honest. It is OK to say that you don’t have a particular skill when asked. If you are still in school and have sports or other activities that might conflict with your work schedule, tell the interviewer.

Be flexible. You may have some leeway in setting a work schedule, but the more flexibility you have, the more likely it is that you'll be hired.

Make eye contact and avoid distractions.

Listen and take notes. Have a question ready to ask at the end of the interview.

At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for taking the time to interview you. Quickly follow up with an email or letter thanking them again and remind them of your interest in the position.

Most likely, the handshake will be your first and only moment of physical contact with the interviewer. Studies say that handshakes play a significant role in first impressions, so make it count.

Your shake should be neither bone crushing, nor limp fish. Aim for a firm handshake, and as you shake, make eye contact and SMILE.

Offer to shake hands, even if the interviewer doesn't offer their hand first. It's good etiquette to include a handshake as part of your introduction. Tell the interviewer that it is a pleasure to meet them, smile, and be sure to make eye contact. For example: "I'm Tina Lionel, it's a pleasure to meet you."

To avoid sweaty palms, stop in the restroom prior to the interview and wash and dry your hands. If that's not feasible, use a tissue to dry off your hands ahead of time.

If you are right-handed, hold briefcase, papers, etc in left hand so you can shake hands with your interviewer – without that awkward switching.

Indeed, there are certain types of postings which immediately hoist red flags. For instance, 83% of recruiters count any posts on illegal substances against a candidate, while 70% of them view any degree of sexual content as an immediate no-no. Similarly, posts on guns, alcohol or those even mildly profane are seen unfavorably or as a source of concern. Now, if you think you have nothing to worry about because your posts are gaffe-free, you might want to check your grammar as poor language skills reflect… well, quite poorly. Unsurprisingly, the same applies to being too vocal about your political affiliations.

Regardless of the network, if you want to avoid your social profiles blowing up in your face, you need to remember to handle your social media presence with care. Don’t post anything compromising and check your privacy settings regularly.

On the flipside, the survey revealed what makes a positive impression on recruiters. For example, showcasing volunteer work and charitable donations on your LinkedIn profile can score a few extra points while information on your past work experience, mutual connections and cultural fit help hiring officers determine whether you can be considered for a vacancy.

Only you can decide whether — and when — to tell your new employer about your disability.

There is no “right” time to state that you have hearing loss, because the answer will be different for everybody. If you have mild hearing loss, chances are you may not need to mention it at all. If your hearing loss is more significant, and you are not a master of reading lips or struggle on phone calls, you should consider letting your potential employer know so that they can make appropriate accommodations.

Remember, if you project confidence during the interview process that you are the best person for the position and hearing loss won’t impede your ability to do the job (with or without reasonable, legally-required accommodations) chances are your potential employer will feel the same way.

Disclosing a condition can help protect your legal rights but can also leave you open to discrimination. Still, experts say you’re better off giving management a heads-up.

The purpose of a cover letter is to convince recruiters to give you an interview, and ultimately a job. As a job candidate, you’ll be judged by how clearly and effectively you make your case for the role in your cover letter. To do that successfully, your cover letter should include relevant professional experience, a persuasive angle, and avoid basic spelling and grammar mistakes.

The cover letter gives you a chance to put your best foot forward. If you make it clear that the fact that you have a hearing loss will have no bearing on your ability to do the job, it will take the doubt out of the employer’s mind. 

Consider the opinion that a place that makes a fuss about a person with a hearing loss isn’t a place worth wasting your time at in the first place.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 established a series of measures to prohibit instances of discrimination because of a person’s disability. The ADA requires that the communication needs of individuals with hearing loss are met, and this frequently demands the use of an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter.

Under this legislation, companies are required by law to provide interpreters for your interview. However, use your judgement as to how to approach this. Considering the circumstances, it may be best to hire your own interpreter for the initial interview. 

Don’t say “I am hard of hearing or I have a hearing loss” and stop there. The interviewer will feel like they are being put on the spot, and won’t know how to react, creating an awkward moment.

• Say “I have a hearing loss and…. Offer a brief explanation like “I have a hearing loss and I wear hearing aids to help me hear better.”
• Say “I have a hearing loss and it helps me if you will face me when you are speaking.” Or, “I have a hearing loss and it will help me see you better if you are not sitting in front of the window with the bright light behind you.”
• Say “I have a hearing loss and I need to see your face, so if you can avoid putting your hand in front of your mouth, it will help me understand you better.”
• Say “I have a hearing loss and it has not interfered with being successful in my previous jobs.”