Dotnet Developer Having Stammering Problem

Hi, I am Sathish from Chennai. I finished my MCA in 2010 and have 2 years of experience in dotnet from a small company. I have a stammering problem, so the interview process is not going well for me in most companies. In the end, they say, 'we are looking for a candidate who communicates better.'

What should I do? It is not my fault to be a person who stammers. Even though I have attended many speech therapy classes, they haven't helped me overcome my problem. Are there any opportunities for people like me with stammering issues? Please provide your valid suggestions.

Thanks and Regards,
R. Sathish.

Hello Satish,

It is absolutely not your fault that you stammer, and it is perfectly okay. Do you have any achievements or any extra efforts you put in that paid off well? You should include that in your resume.

I believe in one thing: when God gives you a problem with one of the senses/organs, he makes others compensate for the loss.

First things first, please do not lose hope and think that you do not have any opportunity. Perhaps the interviewer you met must have thought that you have a stammering problem because of nervousness during the interview.

I believe you should inform the interviewer that you do have this issue but at the same time also focus on the strengths that you possess. None of us are perfectly gifted. All of us have some issues, only some of us are better at hiding those than others.

As I said, before you go to the next interview:

1) Focus on your strengths and achievements and emphasize them more.
2) Suggest that your speech has no effect on your development abilities and that as far as communication is concerned, we can always have the option of someone assisting you.
3) Show how you would be an asset to the company against the perceived liability the interviewer may have thought of.

I don't think once you prove your worth, the interviewer would want to let you go for a minor problem.

Dear Satish,

No matter what you are told, do not pay attention to it. Employers who want to reject you will find a reason to do so regardless.

I second Ankita. Stay focused. A developer needs to excel in coding. There are projects on Elance and other online employment exchanges. Try to secure projects from there. Once you get started, there is no looking back for you. Your credentials will speak for you, not your diction.

Wishing you all the best!

Hi Sathish,

Do you know the reason for your stammering? Is it biological or psychological? If it is biological, you can only improve your speech through therapy. If it is psychological, it is possible to get rid of your stammering. I have experience in voice and accent training, and I have encountered some candidates with speech defects. Some have shown remarkable progress with therapy, training, and practice.

Feel free to call me if you need assistance. All the best!

Hi Sathish,

If you're really good at the coding part, then I'll try my level best to help you out. Just forward your CV to my email address: resumes.quamps@gmail.com with the subject "Looking for .Net Developer Job - CiteHR Reference".

Also, try to improve based on the advice from others above.

Regards,
RR.

Dear Sathish,

I am Karthik, working as an HR Manager in a steel fabrication company. You know I am also a stammerer. I underwent many speech therapy treatments. All those methods can help control our stammering but not cure it completely (from my individual experience only). I agree with what you said; I have had/have a tough time like you are facing now while attending interviews. Most MNCs do not recruit candidates with speech challenges. In your case, since you are a technical person, I strongly believe that stammering will not be a problem at all. Focus on the technical skills that you possess. Firstly, consider that the person who is interviewing you is also a human being. Don't get nervous or fearful. You can politely mention at the end of the interview session that "even though I have this stammering issue, I don't see it as a barrier to my life, so please focus on my technical skills." This type of conversation will leave a positive impression on the interviewer. Feel free to call me if you feel depressed; my number is 9790970175.

WISH YOU ALL THE BEST.

With Regards,

M. Karthik

9790970175

Hello Sathish,

Very wonderful suggestions given by members, especially Ankita! I would absolutely second what Mr. Karthik said. Please do not bother about your stammering problem and always treat your technical capabilities much superior than it. The only change I would suggest is if you tell your interviewer at the beginning itself that you have a little stammering problem but you don't think it is going to be an obstacle in your work anywhere, you will be mentally relaxed and can concentrate on your further interview process. Remain confident, positive, and steady in your conversations and see the effect. This also won't give any scope to the interviewer to think you stammer out of nervousness.

Hope this helps and wish you all the best!!!

Best regards, Vaishalee Parkhi

Hi Sathish,

It is absolutely not your fault, hence don't feel it too much. Focus on the following:

1. Highlight your strengths and achievements in your resume.
2. Aim for Product Development companies rather than service industries.
3. Seek a core developer position in back-end coding rather than in front-end or enterprise-level coding.
4. Inform HR about your problem in advance and try to convince them with your technical strengths.
5. Most importantly, keep trying to overcome your challenges and always hope for the best.

Regards,
Haider

Dear Ms. Vaishalee Parkhi,

I personally thank you for accepting my views.

Dear Sathish,

You know one thing, we stammerers are gifted by God as fast thinkers than other people. But when we intend to deliver what we want to say at that same speed, our brain and speech don't synchronize in one line, thus stammering occurs. In my case, being in HR, I faced lots of challenges. I attended an interview in a leading manufacturing organization in Bangalore, going through six rounds of interviews - the first two with the GM and the rest with the CEO of the company.

What he did was simply speak to me, sometimes officially, sometimes unofficially. The conversations were good, and he asked about my stammering. I explained, showcasing my confidence level, and I was selected as an all-India HR. In fact, it's an Indian company, not an MNC. On the other hand, a leading retailer in Bangalore refused to accept my CV simply because I was a stammerer. There are many corporations with a humane approach that only accept talent and are least bothered about these kinds of shortcomings. So, go ahead. All the best. Call me if you need any support.

With Regards,

M.Karthik

9790970175

It's a cycle, and you need to keep faith in yourself. I used to be a big stammerer and couldn't even speak my or my father's name properly. I held onto my nerve and kept faith in my strengths. Today, I am heading the legal department of one of the largest and most aggressive companies in India.

Make a list of questions that might be asked in your interview and write down your answers. Speak out in front of a mirror multiple times. Frame short sentences in your mind and then speak them slowly with a rhythm.

I am not a speech therapist, but I followed the steps above. I am not 100% perfect, but I manage to express myself clearly.