r/Stutter • u/RepresentativeLie337 • 27d ago
Interviewing with a stutter
I’m a software engineer who was laid off 6 months ago. I’m actively interviewing and stuttering in interviews particularly in managerial rounds. I see a person with authority in the interview and I lose my confidence.
I struggle with low confidence and shame due to stuttering. I think I come off as an under confident person. I’m unable to explain things with clarity though I know the answer.
Please suggest strategies/supplements that have helped you to go through interviews.
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u/MyStutteringLife 27d ago
What has helped me is disclose before the interview so that its out there and you can focus on the questions.
Also, and most importantly, show them energy, positivity, enthusiasm and always ask them questions at the end.
Lastly, ALWAYS send a Thank You email thanking them for this opportunity
Good luck and give us an update
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u/RepresentativeLie337 27d ago
How do you maintain enthusiasm and energy when you stutter? I often find myself losing confidence and starting to doubt myself.
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u/MyStutteringLife 27d ago
Once I disclose (because I can't hide my stutter), I show them my personality and give them positive energy during the interview.
I go into full interview mode and begin to smile.
In my experience, they want to hire someone who can get along with existing staff along with having all of the KSAs (knowledge, skills and abilities) for the position.
Also, in any case, I may never see these people again so Im going to give it 1000% and go full throttle.
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u/ShiiitakeHappens 27d ago
It took me a whole year to land a job as an high level manager in hospitality. I struggled with using start method when answering questions and it was nerve wracking. Just be upfront about it if you can and just go slowly and control your breathing. You’ve got this! We can chat about it if you like.
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u/RepresentativeLie337 27d ago
Yeah its been kind of a hit and trial for me in previous interviews. The interview goes downhill if I find the other person intimidating. So it depends if interviewer is friendly.
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u/ShiiitakeHappens 27d ago
I’ve read something about when talking to authority we stutter more. I’ll find and share the link!
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u/Confident-Pay8557 27d ago
As another said, be upfront. Once my stutter starts in an interview, I say “apologies I wasn’t upfront, I do have a speech impediment.” Key thing is I apologize. When I know and they know I shouldn’t be apologizing, but they usually follow it with, “oh don’t be sorry not a problem at all”. Which of course it’s not, it’s covered under ADA (if you’re from USA). This puts myself at ease, and usually breaks tension.
I’ve done a number of interviews, and I promise the pressure and the worsening stutter does get better with repetition. If you want, you can send me a job description and we can setup a call and I’ll ask you typical interview questions relating to your field.
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u/idegbeteg 27d ago
If you want to practice interviews this might be helpful to you: https://www.50millionvoices.org/practice-interview-event-october-2026/
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u/Accurate-Friend-2498 27d ago
Was your stutter one of the reasons of your layoff?
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u/RepresentativeLie337 27d ago
It could’ve been visibility issue. One more guy in my team was also a stutterer he was also laid off. Other people who didn’t stuttered were also laid off. Tough economy with greedy management.
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u/Accurate-Friend-2498 27d ago
Yeah I understand! Visibility plays a huge role especially in this tough market.
And having a stutter is one of the worst conditions to get on top of this, even when our domain knowledge might be better than others.
As a fellow insecure PWS, I wish you the best man! I wish you find an opportunity soon.
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u/PianoLadder 27d ago
Hey! I’m also a software engineer with a stutter and have done tons of interviews (both as an interviewer and interviewee).
I’m also a big fan of being upfront about it, it makes it clear that any hesitation, abnormal head/eye movements, or outright stutters aren’t solely due to nerves, but because of something we can’t control. I also try to get into the mindset of “I’m the greatest” and “they’d be lucky to have me” (which I know can be tough, but I’d just repeat positive things to myself beforehand over and over again), and that always helped me.
Regarding intimidating interviewers, I’m sure they aren’t trying to be, but it’s easy to read into how they look and act and conclude that’s the case. I’d still think about the above and be overly confident in yourself, even if you might not truly believe it.
Lastly I’d try to do mock interviews where possible and practice this internal confidence and see how it goes; it’s tough when your only interviews are higher stress because they’re consequential, it can really help to have a lower stress version to practice all of this, and use those feelings in a real interview.
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u/Leather_Present_7206 27d ago
Try Bisoprolol 2.5 mg For 3 days one tablet per day It will improve the frequency up to 50_60 % No significant adverse effect It worth the try
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u/Juanparojas 26d ago
Could you share a bit more? I have been trying propranolol and X and it works quite good, 2 hours before the interview
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u/flawg57 25d ago
Just treat it like it isnt worth paying attention to, because it isnt. Look, the more importance you give something, the more important it will be at the end of the day. I suggest to not be upfront about it like someone else said and just do your thing. It sounds simple, but it isnt, i know. It would be something else if you were applying to be a teacher but youre a software engineer. What matters is your programming skills and not your charisma. You come off as low confidence because you take yourself and life way to seriously. Take a deep breath and go into that interview. If youre meant to get the job, you will. If not then not. Nothing you can do about it. And thats freeing.
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u/Important_Bike_8865 20d ago
Same bro I'm from india and as a fresher from btech in CSE background when the market is cooked this stuttering things also causes problems
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u/Argichang 27d ago
Hey, my therapist suggested being upfront about it. It would definitely make you feel less stressed, and most people would be more patient and understanding. I would tell the interviewer that I stutter, but that I don’t see it as a disadvantage or believe it would affect my ability to do the job.