Interviews with a speech impediment

ashha

Hi. I have a speech impediment where I stutter and block on words and since I've been applying for jobs I've been wondering how I'll be able to answer even the most basic questions in interviews.

I mean what will the interviewer think when I'm having trouble with my own name! I've only ever had one interview which was informal and it went terribly. It took me about 10 seconds just to say my age...

Anyone been through something similar? Any advice?

[Deleted User]

Just ignore it, if it's a job you really want you'll be surprised what you'll get through

One of my interviews I really messed on the typing speed, like I'd past a point of no return I started to lighten up thinking damage was already done so I'm afraid I started joking about it and honestly next thing I know I'm being accused of all sorts, not limited to being outgoing loud (oh dear!) & confident communicator that day, everyone heard the interview.. as all the compliments just made me louder (I'm normally like a church mouse!)


Go get them!

asajj

Hi Assha, you may also state them that you have this issue and then with the stress added, it may get worse. Most, decent companies, managers will understand.

They do recruit you for your skills not for your speaking unless the job requires it

lonestarfan

What type of jobs are you wanting to do and applying for? I assume the jobs don't require you to be put on the spot and speak?
Have you been offered an interview or are you just planning ahead?
As an interviewer I would prefer you told me up front and let me know what suggestions you have and what you've found works for you.

Opinion

Deleted%20User wrote: »

Just ignore it, if it's a job you really want you'll be surprised what you'll get through

One of my interviews I really messed on the typing speed, like I'd past a point of no return I started to lighten up thinking damage was already done so I'm afraid I started joking about it and honestly next thing I know I'm being accused of all sorts, not limited to being outgoing loud (oh dear!) & confident communicator that day, everyone heard the interview.. as all the compliments just made me louder (I'm normally like a church mouse!)


Go get them!

Your posts make absolutely no sense.

JustOnce

Is it in a call centre?

tomtontom

If you let them know in advance, most employers will make accommodation for you. Do you have any coping mechanisms to help?

InsideInsurance

If you are going through a recruitment agency then its likely they will have mentioned it to them anyway.

Assuming speaking isnt a major part of the job then any half decent interviewer wont care about the stutter as its irrelevant. For practical reasons the number of questions asked may be shorter or questions adjusted for hopefully shorter questions (3 key strengths becomes 2 etc)

Of course there are idiots in all walks of life and some interviewers may be rude and trying to finish your sentences for you etc as I am sure you occasionally experience in life already.

As others have said, work on your coping strategies and implement them as best you can

savingqueen

Hello OP

I have a stammer and think I know how you are likely to feel. I haven't had to go for a job interview in a while as a SAHM but have been to plenty in the past and yes have had several different jobs from them. I know lots of people who stammer with all sorts of different jobs, some very successful.

Ok so there is a lot you can do to prepare for an interview.

Start with a look on the British Stammering Association (BSA) website stammering.org.uk - they have lots of great advice there including work specific. You can contact them by phone or email for further advice and there is a forum to ask for advice and gain support. They are the only national charity for adults and children who stammer and do excellent work with very limited funds (hint hint.)

I make sure I mention my stammer on the disabilities (or other info) bit - just giving basic info in a brief factual way. If you require further support at interview there should be a space to say this or someone should contact you. You can specify email rather than telephone contact if you prefer. Employers, even potential employers have to make any reasonable adjustments for you by law and good ones will do so anyway. Do not be afraid to ask for what you need. You might like to ask for extra time in an interview so you have less time pressure.

I write something in the communications skills or wherever fits best about having great communication skills. I explain how having a stammer means I am an excellent listener for example. You could mention how having an impairment has raised extra challenges for you and how these have made you more determined to succeed or whatever is right for you. I am just thinking off the top of my head. Put a positive slant on whatever you say.

If you get an interview and you haven’t previously mentioned your speech, contact them beforehand and if it too late for that, mention right at the beginning of the interview. Personally I am far more relaxed - can think and speak (and breathe!) more easily if the pressure is off. I have never had a bad experience from an interview person/panel when I have done this. The only time I got an uncomfortable response was from an interviewer who stammered themselves. Even when my dysfluency was greater than it is nowdays, I once had an interview where I was completely fluent - the fear worked for me so you never know how you might do in a future interview.

If the beginning of the interview is the most difficult with very specific questions like age, then you could always pass them a copy of your CV and explain that you need a short while to prepare yourself. If you need to take in a pad and pen to get you through the initial short questions then do so. You may find that further, longer and more important questions like your skills, experience are far easier as you can choose your words and pace yourself. An interview is a stressful experience for anyone, with a stammer it can be a big challenge. If you contact the organisation in advance, you can mention that your stammer is likely to be more pronounced at interview and less so in the actual role ( assuming this is the case.)

Remember you have as much right as the next person to an interview and a job. Someone asked if you were applying for a call centre role - I doubt you are and I doubt you would get it unless you have good control over your speech. However there are few jobs that a person with speech impairment cannot do. Today there are lots of alternative communications methods – make sure your IT and written skills are as good as they need to be for the job. You could always use a text phone (as used by some Deaf or hearing impaired people) for an office job. There used to be a government scheme called Access to Work that provided equipment of this type – not sure if the scheme still exists?

Being really prepared in advance helped me. Doing lots of research re company, possible questions etc helps and writing things down, taking a CV in if that helps. Make sure you know the route to the interview etc. The more prepared I was, the more confident and in control I felt. Rescue remedy helped to calm me down and lots of deep, slow breathing before I walked in. Allow yourself time to answer questions, there is no rule to say you have to answer immediately. Take the pressure off however you can – making a conscious decision to take regular short pauses say between sentences can be effective. You can practise this stuff at home and then out and about in shops for example if that helps.

There is an awful lot other than speaking that interviews will assess you on. Sounds obvious but be on time, be well groomed and smart. Walk in confidently, shake hands firmly, look the interviewers in the eye and you are already making a good impression. Body language is important too.

Finally good luck!

bevanuk

Don't fret about it, you'll get worse.

You are who you are, be that in your interview. If it's not good enough for them then so be it.

Once they listen to the content of your words then you should be fine.

ashha

Thanks for all the replies.

@asajj
Yh I guess it would be best to inform them beforehand. I'll definitely do this if I ever get an interview. They do recruit people for their skills but how can they be sure I have the skills they require if I can't answer their questions.

I've always answered questions using the least amount of words possible or just said 'I don't know' as a lot of the time it's easier to have people think I don't know the answer than to actually answer the question. Sometimes I wish I could reply with 'I don't know' when I'm asked my name at the dentist or something.

@ lonestarfan
Well I have a degree in computing (Networks and Security) so ideally would want something in the same area but I'm applying for anything that I think won't cause too much anxiety.

I had a job in a pharmacy serving customers and working on the till which my uncle got for me but the anxiety it caused was just too much, it was the same as what I would feel before giving a presentation in Uni. I would be anxious the night before, I would be even more anxious in the morning which caused IBS so I couldn't eat or drink water without it wanting to come back up. The anxiety wouldn't be as bad after being there for an hour but still couldn't eat so I didn't have my first meal of the day until I got home at around 9pm (worked 12-8:30).

@tomtontom
Nope, don't have any coping mechanisms that help. I usually just use a different word or don't even bother saying what I want to if I'm blocking on the first word of the sentence but this leads to some of what I'm saying not making any sense.

@InsideInsurance
The thing is I'm not too bothered about the stutter as it's not as bad as some other stutterers but still far from fluent. What does really get to me is the blocks. The blocks make it so I can't even stutter as I can't get the damn word out.

@ Savingqueen
Wow lots of great info!
What you said about being prepared really helping you and making you feel more confident. I wish the same was true for me.

In Uni when I had to give presentations I couldn't even focus on the content, I was just too worried about having to present. I would remove entire slides if I felt I would get stuck on a certain word which obviously meant lower marks. After a while I learnt to breathe slower before presentations to help control my nerves and even repeated to myself that I could do this and it didn't even matter If I stuttered which helped but as soon I got up there and tried to get the first word out but couldn't it would all just fall apart.