Job Interviews-Equal Opportunity Employers

[happy7117]

Has anyone ever went to a job interview where
they could recieve on-the job training at learning how to do the job they apply for( stock boy- dishwasher
etc.)-- those jobs one can get because they can
be trained as they work....

But for one to not get the job because they stutter on the interview???

Is that discrimination?? Is that going against the
"equal opportunity employer" policy??

The reason I ask:: I am thinking about getting another job that has data entry- I have the skills
for it....

I just don't want to not get the job because
I stutter during the interview??? It's not fair and
not right...these employers are overlooking
very dedicated people beacuse they stutter!!

What should I do if I think I have
not given the job because of the stuttering
on an interview???

Any documents or proof of stutterers
being discriminated against... I (we) stutterers
need all the back-up support for job-interviews
we can get...

Employers that do not hire stutterers that are qualified
for particular jobs are clearly breaking that
"equal opportunity employer" law---

And something needs to be done!!!

[Perad]

Its almost imposiible to prove that the reason you didn't get the job is because of your stammer. Basically make sure you get a very good reference from your previous employer.

Then at the interview talk about your speech. Say how it affects you at work. How it is worse at interviews and how you are striving to improve it.

If you have a stammer they will be concerned and you can understand why, when it comes to phone work etc you are in trouble. Its like employing a person in a wheelchair to work on the second floor of a building with no lifts.

Just underline that it doesn't impact the quality of work, that you are striving to make it better and how it shouldn't be seen as a barrier to employment.

[Gary1450]

Somebody laughed at me when I proposed this but I read on the interent somewhere on how to "mention" your stutter on the cover letter that you include with your resume.

You could even mention it in the actual resume but say how it makes you more determined to succeed - that it does not hold you back!!

Something like that - I forgot how they worded it.

[Perad]

Don't put it on your coving letter, that promotes discrimination, its giving them too much information. You want to promote yourself, a stutter is seen as a negative attribute. So you don't mention it. If you get to the interview then it means that they are interested in you.

The coving letter/cv is there to show that you have what they want on paper. The interview is to show you aren't bullshitting your CV and that you will fit into the workplace.

An interview is the best place to to bring up the speech.

Also you should prbably say that your speech isn't a key requirement of your job.

[Standingtall]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year you guys. I have been on both sides of the table and here is what I have done. First, I put lots of info on my resume and covering letter, not the fact I stutter, so I don't get too many questions. At first, I was very straight forward in answering, usually yes or no. My current job, I didn't hide anything, stutter or nervousness. I said a tons or words and I read their expression. Reading them if they understood what I was talking about. If not, then I answered in another way, but the fact is, I kept talking and was pretty much in good control of the interview. I must have answered a few of their questions, I was talking so much.

On the other side of the table, my supervisor and his supervisor, we set up questions and with each question, we weigh it from 0-5. We have available, job discription, duties and what we are looking for upon request. I have seen a few blank looks, when it came to my turn to introduce myself and I stutter on my name. Our questions are based on knowledge. We have always picked the highest scored person. A Few times we got turned down, so we went with the next one. We hired a model once, she didn't have a drivers license, but she was one of those cases, where she scored pretty high. The job required an valid drivers lincense. The first person turned us down, so we offered it to her and she accepted. The following year, we hired an 6 foot mature male, must have weight in about 300 pounds and an chain smoker.

We interviewed a lot of summer students and many of them were pretty smooth talkers, some were pretty confident and many were very nervous. The whole point is, don't be afraid of your stutter and be open with it. If you get hired by them, they may be in a position to help you with it. If not, they will respect your bravery and honesty. Put lots of info on your resume, but not too busy and talk(stutter) a lot. Be a strong influence in the job interview, ask them more about the job, your duties and their questions and how you are going to be evaluated. I have been asked that question a few times.

The last point is, I have been there and that whats works for me. I have stuttered very badly at the start of the interview, but I though of the other people as my co-workers and friends. I got a rapport with them and last I used my gut feeling on how things are going in that room.

Your knowledge and experience and your attitude will get you that job.