View Full Version : The Dreaded Job Interview!
Hello again :)
I was just wondering how my fellow stutterers on these boards deal with job interviews?
For me they are a nightmare! I work in Information Technology and I have been 'between jobs' for over 4 months now, in other words, I have not had a full-time job since Christmas! I do a few free-lance type jobs for people I know to keep a (small) income coming in to cover rent etc, but it is a real struggle and I hate not knowing when the next pay check is coming from.
Anyway, back to the thread topic. I have had four interviews this year and they have all been pretty much a disaster. I have blocked severely in all of them and struggled to get my answers out. Needless to say I was not offered any of the jobs that I interviewed for :(
It has got to the stage where interviews terrify me. I was actually asked to attend an interview a few weeks ago. The call was on Monday and the interview was arranged for Thursday. I prepared for the interview like normal and I did a background check on the company etc. The trouble is that I didn't sleep a wink for the 3 nights before the interview! Then on the day of the interview I bottled it and decided not to go. It was a really stupid thing to do and I am so pissed with myself that I never went! :mad:
So, to all of you guys or girls that have been through this whole interviewing process, what are your experiences? How did you deal with the situation? Did you stutter badly but still get the job?
I would love to hear a few stories on this subject :)
chrish15
05-14-2007, 06:09 PM
Hey Cujo, I know what you mean, I am finishing up my degree in accounting now and have had 3 interviews this past semester. I didn't get any of the positions, although I felt I did rather well on the first interview.
I had a interview for a internship I really wanted very badly for the summer and the interview went awful. I was blocking and sweating like mad. I guess the added pressure of really wanting the job added to my excitement and didn't help.
To say the least interviews are not one of my favorite things to do, but I was wondering about the others here. Do you mention anything about your stuttering at the onset of the interview?
I did not on either of mine, but do have the NSA listed on my resume because I am a local leader. Now that I am in the process of finding a job, my dad got me hooked up with a lady that helps out students in finding jobs. I met with her and she said it would be best just to say upfront please be patient, interviews are nerve wracking in thereselfs and I stutter. She said that you are screening the employer as much as they are screening you. You don't want to work with someone who is not considerate and almost all people will understand she said.
Jamester
05-14-2007, 11:10 PM
Interviews are a good way to have a coronary!
I have learned to let them know I stutter up front and yes, I do stutter while telling them I stutter. Many people believe that we are unable to communicate secondary to our stutter, but I believe we communicate fine if only the listener would hear what I am saying and not how I am saying it.
Hey, I too belong to the NSA. Are you going to Atlanta?
Jamie
happy7117
05-14-2007, 11:47 PM
Interviews are a good way to have a coronary!
I have learned to let them know I stutter up front and yes, I do stutter while telling them I stutter. Many people believe that we are unable to communicate secondary to our stutter, but I believe we communicate fine if only the listener would hear what I am saying and not how I am saying it.
Hey, I too belong to the NSA. Are you going to Atlanta?
Jamie
Went for a job interview where I was able to recieve on the job training back in 1997. No experience was neccesary. It was to be a stock boy at P&C!! Did not get the job!!!
Went for another interview for a dishwasher at a hopsital back in 1998. Did not get it of course. It was all the stutterings fault!
If I did not stutter, I probably would have gotten those jobs!!
happy7117
05-14-2007, 11:52 PM
Are you going to Atlanta?
Jamie
I am not going to the conference after all. I have not lived that down!
I'm still taking it off of work!
That week of the conference, I am unplugging my phone-I will not be speaking to my parents!!
That conference was supposed to my birthday present. My birthday was during that 4 day conference!! I was planning to hang with the chicks at the conference.
Does anyone have any idea at how I can get back at my parents for the bombshell they dropped on my hopes of going!!!!
Jamie- Damn I will miss you and everybody that goes to Atlanta!
To say the least interviews are not one of my favorite things to do, but I was wondering about the others here. Do you mention anything about your stuttering at the onset of the interview?
Hi chrish15 :) I have never actually mentioned that I stutter in a job interview, unfortunately they usually find out about it as soon as I open my mouth. To be honest, I am always so nervous at interviews that the thought of me telling them that I stutter from the onset makes me more nervous, so I'm not sure I could do it, although I probably should.
I read on another website that you should mention your stutter at an interview as it will make you and the interviewer more comfortable. They recommend that you start by saying something like this; "Hello, my name is ******, As you can tell I'm a person who stutters. I would like to mention this for several reasons. Firstly, this will help explain why I may have some repetitions, blocks and hesitations. It's only due to the stuttering, nothing else." That was definitely written by a non-stutter because that sentence would take me over one minute to say under pressure...........in other words, interview over!
Many people believe that we are unable to communicate secondary to our stutter, but I believe we communicate fine if only the listener would hear what I am saying and not how I am saying it.
You have hit the nail on the head there Jamester. If people (interviewers in this case) looked past our stutters and saw us for the strong people that we are then we would probably not have half the trouble that we encounter. I for one never apply for a job that I cannot do. I have good experience and qualification's but I seem to always get over looked when it comes to getting hired by a company.
I have noticed on alot of job specifications that it states that they are looking for people with excellent oral communication skills & a good telephone manner, when I read things like this I always get very angry because I feel like they are isolating me because of my speech impediment.
What are other peoples thoughts on this? Also, where are all the people who have faced a job interview and had either a positive or negative experience?? Come on out, don't be shy ;)
bignick
05-15-2007, 11:12 AM
I have had several job interviews and have stuttered in everyone. I have asked if my stutter is a problem and each time it hasnt.
Sure I am very nervous going for an interview and therefore my speech got worse but I found that after a while in the interview I have become more comfortable with the interviewers and my speech improved slightly.
you will see on the forum a lot of people who have had to go through the same things as you in going for interviews and that involves jobs where they are talking to people either on the phone or in person all day.
The only advise I can offer is that you find out about the company before the interview and I know its easy for me to say but you go into the interview all positive and they should see you for you knowledge or qualifications.
Hope this helps.
Nick
Hi Nick. Thanks for the reply.
Can I ask you a question? Out of all the interviewers that told you that you stutter was not a problem, how many actually offered you the job? I only ask because I am under the impression that most interviews are covering their own asses most of the time. They will tell you that they have no problem with you stutter to your face but when it comes to the making a decision between you and somebody very similar but doesn't stutter, I think 9 times out of 10 they will pick the person that doesn't stutter.
In the interviews that I have been to, I always make sure to smile and make eye contact at all times, especially when I am stuck in a block. You can always tell by the interviewers body language and facial expression what they think of your stutter. Some have that horrified look that I have seen so many times before, you know the one, they wish they were anywhere else but stuck there talking to you :p Others smile back and try to be as positive & encouraging as possible.
My worst interview experience was with a managing director of a company and his top human resources manager. I stutter twice as badly in front of authority figures and this whole situation really got to me. They asked me around 10 questions, questions all of which required long, detailed answers. I blocked severely. I turned red, I lost my breath.........everything that could go wrong went wrong. The MD actually looked at his watch and rubbed this face at one point and I just really wanted it all to end as soon as possible. When I finally got home I was practically holding back tears, this was an excellent job opportunity and my stutter had destroyed any chances of me getting it. I felt really low after that experience. I had a few interviews after that where I did much better, but alas, I never get offered the jobs.
I am at the point where I seriously don't know what to do. I really need to find full time employment but it seems like I have to go through hell to get it :(
bignick
05-15-2007, 01:53 PM
Hi Nick. Thanks for the reply.
Can I ask you a question? Out of all the interviewers that told you that you stutter was not a problem, how many actually offered you the job? I only ask because I am under the impression that most interviews are covering their own asses most of the time. They will tell you that they have no problem with you stutter to your face but when it comes to the making a decision between you and somebody very similar but doesn't stutter, I think 9 times out of 10 they will pick the person that doesn't stutter.
In the interviews that I have been to, I always make sure to smile and make eye contact at all times, especially when I am stuck in a block. You can always tell by the interviewers body language and facial expression what they think of your stutter. Some have that horrified look that I have seen so many times before, you know the one, they wish they were anywhere else but stuck there talking to you :p Others smile back and try to be as positive & encouraging as possible.
My worst interview experience was with a managing director of a company and his top human resources manager. I stutter twice as badly in front of authority figures and this whole situation really got to me. They asked me around 10 questions, questions all of which required long, detailed answers. I blocked severely. I turned red, I lost my breath.........everything that could go wrong went wrong. The MD actually looked at his watch and rubbed this face at one point and I just really wanted it all to end as soon as possible. When I finally got home I was practically holding back tears, this was an excellent job opportunity and my stutter had destroyed any chances of me getting it. I felt really low after that experience. I had a few interviews after that where I did much better, but alas, I never get offered the jobs.
I am at the point where I seriously don't know what to do. I really need to find full time employment but it seems like I have to go through hell to get it :(
Cujo,
Out of the five interviews I have been on, I have been offered 2 of which I accepted both of them. One asked me for a 2nd interview but it required me to work shifts so I told them I didnt want to do shift work (that went down well with the agency), one has somebody working in their IT who I used to work with and we had differences and I didnt hear anything about that one and the other 1 or 2 I didnt hear from.
Also, where I am currently working, the post was between me and someone else who had the same experience as me but didnt have a stutter and they offered me the job.
I have been in interviews where I have been asked a question on how I would do a certain thing, I gave my answer the best I could and they come back with no, I would do this, this, this and this. Its certainly disconcerting when the interviewers try to put you down. I would say that the interviews I have been on it has always been the IT director/manager, some director of the company and human resources, I dont think that this is a fair ratio of people sitting opposite you and initially the 1st interview should be on a 1 to 1 basis.
I know how you are feeling about interviews but what other choice do you have, stay at home and sign onto the dole and have no money.
this might sound really bad, so apologises as its not intended but everyone including people who dont stutter have shit interviews from time to time and the worst thing that can happen to you is you dont get the job. You should think that its their loss that they havent taken you on, brush yourself down and learn from the interviews you have had in the past, thinking about how you can improve it next time.
finally, it will come to you and dont give up and always walk with your head held high and think of yourself as a good person who has a stutter and not a stutterer who lets his speech rule what he does.
If you want to talk, pm me.
Nick
JDRow
05-15-2007, 01:59 PM
They recommend that you start by saying something like this; "Hello, my name is ******, As you can tell I'm a person who stutters. I would like to mention this for several reasons. Firstly, this will help explain why I may have some repetitions, blocks and hesitations. It's only due to the stuttering, nothing else." That was definitely written by a non-stutter because that sentence would take me over one minute to say under pressure...........in other words, interview over!
I agree that must have been written by somebody who doesn't stutter. I can't imagine how long it would take me to say all of that. And that's just the first reason, out of several!
I've never interviewed for a job. I was lucky enough to get the job I have without having to interview for it, because of a family connection. I'm in school and it's going to be a while before I finish, but it's something I'm concerned about. I'm not sure what kind of job I'll be looking for, but I know I'm not interested in a job that will require a lot of talking, and I plan on going to speech therapy at some point in the near future, so I figure I'll deal with it when I have to.
happy7117
05-15-2007, 08:20 PM
sign onto the dole and have no money. Nick
This may sound stupid, but what does "sign onto the dole" mean??
happy7117
05-15-2007, 08:24 PM
Hi chrish15 :) I have never actually mentioned that I stutter in a job interview, unfortunately they usually find out about it as soon as I open my mouth. To be honest, I am always so nervous at interviews that the thought of me telling them that I stutter from the onset makes me more nervous, so I'm not sure I could do it, although I probably should.
I read on another website that you should mention your stutter at an interview as it will make you and the interviewer more comfortable. They recommend that you start by saying something like this; "Hello, my name is ******, As you can tell I'm a person who stutters. I would like to mention this for several reasons. Firstly, this will help explain why I may have some repetitions, blocks and hesitations. It's only due to the stuttering, nothing else." That was definitely written by a non-stutter because that sentence would take me over one minute to say under pressure...........in other words, interview over!
You have hit the nail on the head there Jamester. If people (interviewers in this case) looked past our stutters and saw us for the strong people that we are then we would probably not have half the trouble that we encounter. I for one never apply for a job that I cannot do. I have good experience and qualification's but I seem to always get over looked when it comes to getting hired by a company.
I have noticed on alot of job specifications that it states that they are looking for people with excellent oral communication skills & a good telephone manner, when I read things like this I always get very angry because I feel like they are isolating me because of my speech impediment.
What are other peoples thoughts on this? Also, where are all the people who have faced a job interview and had either a positive or negative experience?? Come on out, don't be shy ;)
Read my reply on Pg.1 of this thread to see what my experiences were like in going for 2 interviews: 1 for a dishwasher, one for a bagboy at P&C.
Experience was not required, and there was on-the job training--but I did not get the jobs..
In other words, we stutterers always get the short end of the stick. We are extremely capable, but because of the stutter, we are not given the chance to get hired!! Mean and cruel of interviewers!
bignick
05-16-2007, 08:15 AM
This may sound stupid, but what does "sign onto the dole" mean??
Sign on the dole means to not work and cl unemployment benefit from the government. The only requirement is that every 2 wks you have to go and sign to say that you are looking for work.
Cujo,
Out of the five interviews I have been on, I have been offered 2 of which I accepted both of them. One asked me for a 2nd interview but it required me to work shifts so I told them I didnt want to do shift work (that went down well with the agency), one has somebody working in their IT who I used to work with and we had differences and I didnt hear anything about that one and the other 1 or 2 I didnt hear from.
Also, where I am currently working, the post was between me and someone else who had the same experience as me but didnt have a stutter and they offered me the job.
I have been in interviews where I have been asked a question on how I would do a certain thing, I gave my answer the best I could and they come back with no, I would do this, this, this and this. Its certainly disconcerting when the interviewers try to put you down. I would say that the interviews I have been on it has always been the IT director/manager, some director of the company and human resources, I dont think that this is a fair ratio of people sitting opposite you and initially the 1st interview should be on a 1 to 1 basis.
I know how you are feeling about interviews but what other choice do you have, stay at home and sign onto the dole and have no money.
this might sound really bad, so apologises as its not intended but everyone including people who dont stutter have shit interviews from time to time and the worst thing that can happen to you is you dont get the job. You should think that its their loss that they havent taken you on, brush yourself down and learn from the interviews you have had in the past, thinking about how you can improve it next time.
finally, it will come to you and dont give up and always walk with your head held high and think of yourself as a good person who has a stutter and not a stutterer who lets his speech rule what he does.
If you want to talk, pm me.
Nick
Nick,
Thanks again for the reply.
I know exactly what you are saying. Feeling sorry for myself will not get me a job and I need to push myself harder and not take rejection too personally. It is easier said then done of course, but I will definitely take what you said into consideration even though I have been extremely positive & assertive in the past (apart from one bad interview) yet been never got offered a job.
Just to pick you up on one or two points. Firstly, I don't actually collect dole payments as I earn slightly more money doing a few freelance jobs every now and again. The work is not stable of course, that is why I am looking to get back into full-time employment. Secondly, when you said that non-stutters sometimes have shit interviews just like us stutters, I don't think that is a fair comparison. Non-stutters have the luxury of knowing that at the very least they will be able to speak fluently in an interview and get there point across in an articulate manner. As you know for us stutters, that would be a dream come true. Basically we are starting at the bottom of a ladder and we have to convince an employer that we are the right person for the job as well as convincing them that our stutter will not be a problem. So we have twice as much work to do then the non-stutter who is not even even under half the pressure that we are under (although they would disagree because they have not been in a stutterers position).
Lastly, I think that you could be considered as an exception to the general rule. Getting offered 2 roles out of the 5 that you interviewed for is very impressive, even a non-stutter would be happy with that. Obviously I don't know you personally or I don't know what part of IT that you specialises in but for me, as a Desktop/Network Administrator, I feel that the IT market is flooded with people in my line of work right now. I live in Dublin and although there has been an economic boom and lots of jobs have been created, the work force has now increased 10-fold. So I am up against some very stiff competition to land a suitable role. I know it is probably the same over there in the UK but do you feel that employers are becoming more cut-throat because they can now pick and choice the most suitable people? I have never really found it that difficult to find work in the past but I am now finding the whole process similar to climbing a mountain, especially when you have to deal with less then honest recruitment agencies and that sort of thing.
But that is another story altogether ;)
bignick
05-16-2007, 12:29 PM
Cujo,
When I mentioned the dole, I didnt mean to imply that you were cling it, it was just a way of trying to say (maybe in the wrong context) that you shouldnt let your stutter control your life.
As regards to whether I am an exception to job interviews, all the people I know who have stutters are all in jobs, my dad has a stutter and before he retired he had a role as customer services manager going to see customers.
My job entails dealing with users all day and mostly by phone fixing problems they have and I also give presentations to customers for one of our softwares we use, I also am first contact for 2 of the other softwares and attend meetings in France with others from Europe. I cant tell you how bad my speech is, but all I can say is that if people talk to me then they are aware that I do have a stutter and I have days where my speech is good and bad dependant on how I feel.
With regard to non stutterers having shit interviews, I know people who have been to interviews and have been asked a question where their mind has gone blank and they find it difficult to give an answer.
I do agree with you that employers are becoming more cut throat on who they pick to be taken on as there is more choice but I personally feel that we have to try harder and any potential employer should see what you are like as a person, hardworking, good team player etc and not see you as a stutterer.
thats the beauty of this forum, we can disagree on certain things people say and give our opinions, but the main thing about this forum is that people have been through and going through the same things as each other and its good to know that we are not alone.
finally, I would say that please dont give up hope and I am very confident that you wont have any trouble finding the right job that will suit you.
dont forget to keep us informed on how things are going.
Peace.
Nick
Standingtall
05-16-2007, 04:13 PM
I have been to at least a dozen interviews but I have delivered many resumes and filled out many more applications, the ratio must be 15 to 1. I have also been on the other side of the table and gave interviews and I have stuttered in all of them.
The two cents I can offer, is you have to be positive, look sharp and gain some control over the interview process, guess you can say a plan and be ready to adjust. I have carried a note pad, file folder, copies of my resume, even if it is just a page of two of stuff and sometimes info on the company. First impressions are always good. I think I may have used the note pad once or twice. The people giving the interview knows your name already, so I go for the handshake first, firm and say my name while shaking hands. It is a distraction that works for me.
Having some control, I always ask more info on the job and what will my duties be etc.. Don't be afraid to ask questions and to clarify a question if you don't understand it. I have asked when will they decide and if they can let me know either way.
On the other side of the table, we have a series of questions and some kind of rating scale. We know we are going to get many qualified people and we need someway to rate them. I have seen a few shy non-PWS who don't say much to very informative people.
So, be on time, look sharp and keep an positive attitude, smile and remember to say thank you. I hope that helps a little, I know it worked for me on both sides of the table.
JDRow
05-16-2007, 04:52 PM
I'm just wondering if, realistically, people think that somebody who stutters very severely would have any shot at anything approaching a "successful" interview. I can't imagine that. I really can't see any possibility of my having an interview where they decided to hire me over another candidate, because I doubt I'd be able to answer any of the questions I was asked, much less a series of them. It seems stupid to have to interview for a job where speaking isn't that important, so I don't understand why you need to interview for pretty much every job.
Standingtall
05-16-2007, 05:16 PM
JDR my friend. If you decided before hand that you are not going to have a successful interview, than you are not going to have one. I have not had a successful speaking interview yet, but I did have successful interviews. Don't take it personally if you don't get hired on your first interview. With one of our current co-worker, we had over 30 applications, we picked 6 and after the interview 1 was selected. The meeting face to face is very important, you get a feeling about someone and if still unsure, then you contact one of their references. I'm sure you would get a better impression of me when we meet face to face, before we can call each other friends.
I'm just wondering if, realistically, people think that somebody who stutters very severely would have any shot at anything approaching a "successful" interview. I can't imagine that. I really can't see any possibility of my having an interview where they decided to hire me over another candidate, because I doubt I'd be able to answer any of the questions I was asked, much less a series of them.
Unfortunately, that is pretty much the frame of mind I find myself in right now. I know that I am going to have to get back on track and keep going to interviews because that is the only way that I am going to obtain my goals.
In the past few months I have done everything that Standingtall has suggested. I am always on time, I am always very well presented and I try my best to make a perfect first impression (ie: smile, make eye contact & have a firm handshake, etc). I even learn then print out information on the company from Wikipedia and bring that along with a few copies of my resume. I basically leave not stone unturned to make sure that I am 100% prepared. At the moment it doesn't seem to be enough, but I am trying not to get too disheartened and I will keep plugging away.
I have to admit though, hearing what bignick has had to say has given me some inspiration. That is basically what I started this thread for, to hear from fellow stutterers that have had both positive and negative experiences while interviewing for a job. This is a subject the effects all PWS, so keep them posts coming!
JDRow
05-16-2007, 06:13 PM
I didn't mean to be discouraging. I hope I wasn't. I think it's great that you're sticking with the interviews. In my case, I stutter very severely and have long blocks frequently, and if I'm nervous, it's worse and I sometimes can't even get started. It's difficult to imagine getting through an interview, and I really don't think I could. Hopefully my job will last and I won't have to look for work until I finish school, and by then I'll have made progress with my speech, but I just feel like there isn't any way that a person who could barely manage to get out a few words to answer a question would be hired. If a job doesn't require much speaking, I'm not sure why an interview is so important.
SarahMei
05-17-2007, 01:26 AM
Heya!
I've not been for a job interview but I've been for a university interview though.
It was a PHONE INTERVIEW so I couldn't be assisted by body language etc.
Thank God, I spoke pretty fluently and I like to say it went well..
What I did was, well, the normal. Background check on the university, prepare possible questions and answers. I even wrote it down on a paper and placed it before me during the interview! I couldn't sleep the night before too and keep waking up during the night!
It helps to not think of your interviewer as a 'higher' being. Just pretend like you're conversing with a friend. But still keep a professional stance though.
All the best in future job interviews! The jobs you didn't get were probably BORING anyways! You'll find a job that REALLY suits you soon I know!
Lotsa Love,
Sarah
I didn't mean to be discouraging. I hope I wasn't. I think it's great that you're sticking with the interviews. In my case, I stutter very severely and have long blocks frequently, and if I'm nervous, it's worse and I sometimes can't even get started. It's difficult to imagine getting through an interview, and I really don't think I could. Hopefully my job will last and I won't have to look for work until I finish school, and by then I'll have made progress with my speech, but I just feel like there isn't any way that a person who could barely manage to get out a few words to answer a question would be hired. If a job doesn't require much speaking, I'm not sure why an interview is so important.
Hey JDRow, don't worry, you were not discouraging at all. In fact, I hope that I have not been too negative and made you worry more about the whole interview situation. When I finally do get a job and I am not as stressed as I am now, I would be happy to talk to you in more detail about the whole situation and hopefully help you out.
My stutter is moderate to severe, depending on my mood. In an interview situation it becomes severe and I block quite frequently. When it is a one-on-one interview I can deal with the situation better then when interviewing with a panel (2 or 3 people). Unfortunately I have only ever been interviewed one-on-one once and that was only for a 3 month contract (which I never got).
Also 'Hi' SarahMei and welcome to the forum and thanks you for your support. It is actually funny that you mentioned the phone interview because this morning I got an e-mail from a company that I sent my CV to a few weeks ago. They apparently want me to do a phone interview with them and they gave me a phone number to call and arrange it. I have never done a phone interview before and I am not a big fan of using the phone at all, especially to answer questions. It is with a posh hotel and to say that I am nervous is an understatement! Anyway, I'll give it a bash and let you all know how I get on.
Just a quick update on the interview/job situation.
I had a phone interview last Thursday and it went relativity okay, I had a few blocks but the interviewer was patient and she didn't rush me. She then arranged for me to come in and see them the following Monday. I went in looking the part and I felt strangely confident (I say strangely, because I am always usually shaking like a leaf). Anyway, I met the IT manager and someone from HR and they brought me to an office. They gave me a brief and then the questions started. First one was: 'Tell me about yourself'. Before I answered I told them that I have a stutter and I asked if it would be a problem for them. They both said 'Oh no, not at all' in a very convincing manner. So I got through the interview, around 10 or so questions and I think that I stuttered on every 5th or so word (I think so anyway, I'm not 100% sure because my mind was going like a Formula 1 race care at the time). But besides my stutter I feel that I answered all of their questions well and I got my point across which is the important thing.
Anyway, they told me that they had 2 more people to see and they will let me know in the next couple of days if I have made it through to the second round interview (it's actually third if you count the phone interview). The trouble is that I have heard nothing back from them since. I have a horrible feeling that my stutter made me look unprofessional or something to that effect and I have been overlooked because of it yet again!
Standingtall
05-25-2007, 05:11 PM
CuJo, Sorry to hear about your update. We have used that line many times, we have others to interview and we do. It is hard to call someone that they didn't get the job, but we did have a few who asked the reason why not. Maybe they were lacking in some skill we know was important, or someone was better qualified. I suggest you call them up, and in your best mature voice, ask them if they made a decision yet and if you didn't get the job. Ask them why not and maybe ask for their recommendations on where you are the weakest. Good call on telling them you stutter, you can usually judge their reaction if it you really want to work there. Good luck on your next one.
happy7117
05-25-2007, 10:44 PM
Just a quick update on the interview/job situation.
I had a phone interview last Thursday and it went relativity okay, I had a few blocks but the interviewer was patient and she didn't rush me. She then arranged for me to come in and see them the following Monday. I went in looking the part and I felt strangely confident (I say strangely, because I am always usually shaking like a leaf). Anyway, I met the IT manager and someone from HR and they brought me to an office. They gave me a brief and then the questions started. First one was: 'Tell me about yourself'. Before I answered I told them that I have a stutter and I asked if it would be a problem for them. They both said 'Oh no, not at all' in a very convincing manner. So I got through the interview, around 10 or so questions and I think that I stuttered on every 5th or so word (I think so anyway, I'm not 100% sure because my mind was going like a Formula 1 race care at the time). But besides my stutter I feel that I answered all of their questions well and I got my point across which is the important thing.
Anyway, they told me that they had 2 more people to see and they will let me know in the next couple of days if I have made it through to the second round interview (it's actually third if you count the phone interview). The trouble is that I have heard nothing back from them since. I have a horrible feeling that my stutter made me look unprofessional or something to that effect and I have been overlooked because of it yet again!
This is yet ANOTHER case where you or we might have been discriminated against because of the stuttering!! Those interviewers will never learn! It is their loss when they don't hire us!! A-holes they are!
I called them yesterday afternoon and they confirmed that I was not chosen to go forward for a second round interview. I asked them for a reason and they said that they felt that I lacked certain leadership skills that other candidates had shown. I asked them was my stutter a factor and they said that it wasn't a factor at all (they would never admit that it was anyway :rolleyes:). I felt quite bad because I have the experience and the technical ability (backed up by certificates) to do this job (and every other job I apply for) but I never get given the chance. I guess that the potential employers that I interview with feel that my stutter could cause some problems and it could possible hinder my quality of work. That would not be the case but unfortunately I am not been given the chance to prove them wrong. It's tough to keep on taking these knock backs, especially after being out of full-time employment for so long (nearly 5 months) and it is really starting to hurt me financially and mentally. Worst of all though, it is also starting to put a strain on my relationship with my girlfriend.
On the bright side (one of very few), this was the first interview that I openly admitted that I have a stutter. I have never done that before but I felt compelled to do so, mainly because I come to the conclusion that if I don't mention it and I begin to speak then start to stutter like crazy, they don't get caught by surprise and think I am insane or something.
But yet again, I have to dust myself down and get back on track. I think I have aged 5 years in the last few months but hopefully the whole experience will make me a stronger person. Positive thinking and all that crap :)
I'm planning on changing jobs in the next few weeks and my big fear is going for a job interview.
At the moment I'm a trainee manager at a flagship cinema in a multi-national chain. My stutter is part of the reason I wanna change jobs and its partly because I didn't see myself working as a manager for the rest of my life.
The initial job as general staff was just to keep me occupied in between college. I was promoted twice based on my work not on an interview (I didn't have to take an interview for the two promotions).
Early last year my position as supervisor was being eliminated so the only way to keep a job in the company was to go for a higher position. I had to go for an interview with the managing director and I can safely say it was the worst interview I have ever done. He interviewed 2 other candidates and I was told the following week that I got the job as trainee manager.
I have 2 options, stay in a secure job I dispise or go for a lower paying job I may enjoy more. Either way I fear the interviews will go badly and I wont be hired and I'll be stuck in this 48 Hour week job.
me neither
I am a chef: the proof is in the pudding. Whatever crock I they ask me wont mean shit anyway.
I'm lucky like that, most of my interviews sort of happen in the kitchen and if I refuse to talk while I cook (which I always do) they just put it down to keeping my secret recipe a secret (or intense concentration). As long as it tastes good, and I look good, I am in the clear.
NATE
dream431ca
04-23-2008, 03:28 AM
When I went for my interview for a job I really wanted, I did alright, but I did stutter a little. Half way through the interview they asked me if I had any concerns and I told them I do stutter and I asked them if it was going to be a problem. Then they asked me if my stutter was a problem in any other job I had, and I said no it was not.
A few weeks later I got the job :) Just be honest with them, and if you do stutter during the interview, just tell them you stutter. It's way better to be honest then to hide it from them. Being honest also reflects on you as a person and employers like it when you are honest.
Hey,
I originally started this thread but I haven't been on here for nearly a year (I have occasionally dropped in off-line to have a read).
Just an update on my situation. I am working as a freelance IT Technician since January 2007 and I've been to around 22 interviews for full time positions (not including second/third round) for the last 16 months but I still don't have a full-time job.
It's tough, interviewers are getting easier but I still stutter alot in them and even though people tell me that they don't have an issue with my stutter it is obvious that they actually do and would prefer to hire a fluent speaker. There is not a lot you can do in this situation apart from keeping your chin up and staying positive even though I personally just feel like giving up completely sometimes.
Is there anybody else in a situation similar to mine?
@ wes: Nice to see another Dublin person on here :) Btw what cinema chain do you work for?
climberszen
04-28-2008, 03:07 PM
I was unemployed from May 2007 till May 2008. My new job starts May 1st :) I can certainly empathize with you as job searching is SOOOOOOO (not a stutter :D ) depressing. I was high level research scientist (old fart) looking for a job in a field where companies/researchers like to hire young folk for low wages.... the offers I got were like $30k/yr and I was suppose to live in Denver where over a 1/3 of my salary would go towards rent!!! I have spoken to several people that have been involved in hiring people.. they really pointed out that today the economy and work force is so screwed-up that jobs get 100s of resumes.. and the hiring people really are looking for EXACT matches... any deviation puts you the "round file".... so try not to assume people are signaling you because of stutter.. heck it sounds like your job search is going VERY well... remember that the average proffessional now looking for jobs (and not getting them through inside connections) is 9-18 months!!!!! Mine was 1 year.....
Hey climberszen, first off, congratulations on getting the job :D Secondly, thank you for putting things into perspective as it has given me much needed encouragement. To be honest when I started this thread I never would have imagined still being unemployed nearly one year later, but unfortunately that's just the way it has worked out.
I know exactly what you are saving in regards to the economy and work force being so screwed-up right now, here in Dublin prices for rent are one of the highest in the world yet the 'boom' economy of the last ten years has come full circle and now we are experiencing a slight recession. It is tough going out there, we have alot of foreign workers here now for the first time in our history (10% of the population of Ireland is now foreign) and most of them are willing to work for less money then Irish citizens, so as you can imagine Irish employers are hiring them to save money (classic example of short term profit over long term gain).
In regards to my stutter, it is mild to moderate but in interview situations it goes from moderate to severe depending on how many people are interviewing me (ie: I had an interview with a panel of 5 people and blocked very severely). Some interviews have gone really well and I feel good about them but then when I get the whole 'thanks, but no thanks' call/e-mail (sometimes they don't even bother letting me know) it kind of puts me back to square one. Overall the whole process is slowly melting my brain away!
Btw, I hope that you don't mind but I read your website, you have some really interesting stories on there, many I could really relate to.
Hey Cujo -
I'm sorry to hear you're still unemployed, I know how horrible that is, I spent a year and a half looking for a job, and each time I was denied, I just wanted to curl up and cry. It's horrible to walk out of an interview, feeling that you've done well, and have the company not even bother to call you back and let you know whether you were successful or not.
I eventually landed a retail position. However, the managers and other staff were absolutely horrible, and they completely crushed my self confidence and my feelings of self worth, causing my stutter to become worse and pretty much traumatising me in the process. It took me 8 months to get out of that job (left Sep 2007) but I'm still feeling the negative effects today.
I don't mean to sound like an optimist or one of those annoying people that say that everything happens for a reason, coz I'm neither, but maybe your situation is a blessing in disguise. You do not want to be hired by any of those employers who have had a problem with your stutter, who were disgusted by it or may have privately thought that it made you inferior. Imagine how they would have treated you in the workplace.
Yes you would have been getting a regular payslip, but at what cost to your mental health?
The right job and right employer will come around, and you will be glad you were not hired by any other employer, where their uncomfortable-ness with your speech meant that they would not have treated you with the respect you deserved.
I just know that as desperate as I was for a job in that year and a half, I would have rather stayed unemployed than put myself throu those 8 months of hell again. Some jobs are just not worth it.
- suz
climberszen
04-30-2008, 12:53 PM
Hey Suz... doesn't Australia have anti-discrimantion laws? Were these workers obviously verble so that other people heard stuff?? If so, have you ever considered a lawsuit.... many people will say the stress is not worth it, blah, blah, blah.... but on the other hand... the press would help show people that stutters are people too.... in many ways it would be a public service annoucement..... Consultations with lawyers are typcially free... and if this occurred with a big company... they typcially would rather settle out of court than get "bad press" (I have a few lawyer friends). .... Anyway just a couple thoughts
thanks for the advice climberszen! :)
yes aus does have anti-discrimination laws, but I have to say that it never actually occurred to me to file a lawsuit, the only think i considered was WorkCover (where if you are injured at work they pay you until you are able to come back to work again), and I don't think I was eligible because I worked there on a casual basis.
The problem was that there was never anything said aloud that other people heard.. and even if something was said, no one would admit to it, the girls who worked there were awful too. And it wasn't just about my stutter, I was 18/19yrs old whilst they were in late 20's/early 30's, so there was always a superiority attitude-- when I wasn't running out to fetch them coffees/lunch/clothes they'd put on hold, I was doing enough work for 3 people, as they would set me to work unpacking stock, pricing it and putting it on the shelves, whilst they stood around the register and chatted. And when I finally worked up enough courage to talk to the store owner/the boss, which was hard in itself coz I'm soft spoken and so not confrontational, I was so nervous and stuttered so much that I could barely get across what I meant - not that he believed me anyways.
I did get $2000 when I finally quit, but that was only because they had been underpaying me the entire time I worked there, and after many phone calls to tell my boss he was underpaying me (all unreturned) I ended up reporting him to WageLine (a service which you call and they tell you what your employers is legally meant to be paying you)
The worst thing was that I knew they were taking advantage of both my kind nature and my stutter, a girl a couple of years older than me was very assertive and loud when she didn't like something, and she ended up becoming best buds with the manager. I wanted to say something so many times but just couldn't, thanks to my stutter- which not only made it difficult to talk but was responsible for my shy soft spoken attitude which made it difficult to speak up for myself.
Hey Cujo -
I'm sorry to hear you're still unemployed, I know how horrible that is, I spent a year and a half looking for a job, and each time I was denied, I just wanted to curl up and cry. It's horrible to walk out of an interview, feeling that you've done well, and have the company not even bother to call you back and let you know whether you were successful or not.
I eventually landed a retail position. However, the managers and other staff were absolutely horrible, and they completely crushed my self confidence and my feelings of self worth, causing my stutter to become worse and pretty much traumatising me in the process. It took me 8 months to get out of that job (left Sep 2007) but I'm still feeling the negative effects today.
I don't mean to sound like an optimist or one of those annoying people that say that everything happens for a reason, coz I'm neither, but maybe your situation is a blessing in disguise. You do not want to be hired by any of those employers who have had a problem with your stutter, who were disgusted by it or may have privately thought that it made you inferior. Imagine how they would have treated you in the workplace.
Yes you would have been getting a regular payslip, but at what cost to your mental health?
The right job and right employer will come around, and you will be glad you were not hired by any other employer, where their uncomfortable-ness with your speech meant that they would not have treated you with the respect you deserved.
I just know that as desperate as I was for a job in that year and a half, I would have rather stayed unemployed than put myself throu those 8 months of hell again. Some jobs are just not worth it.
- suz
Hey Suz,
Yeah it is tough looking for work alright, especially with a stammer, but I really need to be working right now for lots of different reasons. Firstly I am always broke so paying bills and generally ‘living’ is harder then it should be, secondly it has really affected my personal life. My girlfriend of 3 years recently left me (mainly to do with the job situation and everything that goes with that) and I don’t really see my friends all that much because I cannot afford to go out with them every weekend (or on weekend’s away, concerts etc). Anyway I have another few interviews lined up so hopefully I will finally get back on track soon.
Your particular situation sounds quite bad though and I hope that the whole experience will not affect you too much. The staff at the store you worked in seemed downright nasty and they had no right to treat you like you did. You reminded me of one thing that I really hate about my stammer, sometimes I stay quite rather then engage with people in tricky situations. I also always seem to stammer really badly when talking with authority figures so taking to a manager or boss is usually very hard for me.
Also the bit where you said; “do not want to be hired by any of those employers who have had a problem with your stutter”, I know alot of people will disagree with me but I don't think it is that clear cut. Every job has people that you are not going to get on with, but I think that not wanting to work for somebody who has certain issues is narrowing down your options even more (because having a stammer does limit your employment options anyway, even if it really shouldn’t).
But you a right, at the end of the day some jobs are really not worth it and some people are just best ignored but unfortunately finding the jobs that are worth it takes more time then some people can actually afford (as I have found out).
Sarah
05-16-2008, 09:14 PM
I'm going out in a mo and have scant time to read the thread fully - will do later, however - but I saw a job I fancied back in February and applied for it. My interview was set for last month. I went along and found 3 people sitting in a row with clipboards. And I nailed it. I got the job, despite my speech being so bad that they got a syllable each at one point. My point.....
- that it DOESN'T have to be prohibitive to how other people see you. They could see beyond it in me, to what I could offer re; the specific job role.
- that it's bloody hard but sometimes you've got to take the risk.
Good luck to anyone who's facing a job interview....
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