Recruiting Best Practices

Job Descriptions

Focus on essential job functions and avoid unnecessary communication requirements such as “Must have excellent verbal communication skills.” Instead, use language such as “Must effectively communicate with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.” This allows applicants to demonstrate communication ability through multiple methods.

Post on Handshake

Post opportunities through Handshake to maximize visibility with Gallaudet students. Provide:

• Salary information

• Location information

• Hybrid/remote options

• Internship details

• Application deadlines

Students are increasingly attracted to employers that are transparent about compensation and workplace flexibility.

• Getting Started on Handshake
• How to Post a Job on Handshake
• Helpful Articles with Tips and Trends for Modern Recruiting

(Add Handshake Instructions PDF file here)

Interviewing Deaf Candidates

Before the Interview

Ask: “What accommodations would help ensure a successful interview experience?” Examples may include ASL interpreters, CART services, captioning, written materials in advance, and virtual meeting accommodations.

During the Interview

• Speak directly to the candidate, not the interpreter.

• Maintain eye contact with the candidate.

• Allow extra processing time when using interpretation.

• Avoid assumptions about abilities.

• Focus on qualifications and skills.

Questions Employers Should Ask

• Tell me about a challenge you solved.

• Describe a project where you worked on a team.

• How do you approach learning new skills?

• How have you used AI or emerging technologies in your work?

• Tell me about a time you adapted to change.

These questions help assess the competencies employers increasingly value: curiosity, adaptability, problem solving, communication, and resilience.

Questions Employers Should NOT Ask

• How long have you been deaf?

• Are you married to a deaf person?

AI and the Future Workforce

Employers increasingly seek candidates who can use AI effectively and responsibly. Gallaudet students use and can be evaluated on:

• Critical thinking

• Problem solving

• Communication

• Adaptability

• Curiosity

• Ethical decision-making

• Ability to learn new technologies

Strong candidates can demonstrate:

• Effective prompting

• Evaluation of AI outputs

• Ethical use of AI

• Integration of AI into workflows

Human skills remain critical and cannot be replaced by AI. The human skills employers value most — curiosity, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, adaptability, communication, and problem solving — are the skills Gallaudet students strengthen every day.