postr/StutterOctober 27, 2024

How do you handle job interviews?

7 points1 commentsView on Reddit →

Content

How do you handle job interviews? I'm a successful Technical Writer and general writer, but I always struggle with job interviews as I tend to stutter the worst when talking about myself (I've lost out on many potential jobs I was quite qualified for because of the stutter). I've stuttered since roughly age 11, and am now 52. It's the type of stutter where I occasionally do repeat syllables/sounds, but more the type where I get nearly impassable blocks. It's probably a breathing thing, as I've always been a shallow breather, although the various breathing techniques to try and minimize blocks really never worked for me, so it's probably multiple issues, including anxiety/stress/fatigue/etc.. So, with that out of the way, how do you all handle job interviews? I used to never bring it up before or during interviews (even though it was obvious), but eventually started to give a heads-up prior, hoping it would make the person or persons I was talking to more comfortable/understanding and maybe relieve some of my own anxiety about my condition. It served me well for the most recent job I have, but I'm not sure it's a positive for most interviews. In any case, I've waivered between not revealing it and revealing it. I mean, either way they're going to know I stutter - it's pretty bad, especially from the aforementioned block standpoint - but I don't always feel comfortable bringing it up in advance either.

Themes

Anticipation & AvoidanceCauses & VariabilityEmotional ExperienceSchool & WorkSpeech & Stuttering

Subthemes

Hiding & ConcealmentStress & Fight/FlightAnxiety & Social JudgmentEmployment & CareerBlocks & Stoppages

Codes (3)

repeating_oneselfemotional_statephysical_state