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From: Karen Lewis
Date: 10/13/00
Time: 6:16:24 PM
Remote Name: 216.68.47.87
I have just gone through a succession of interviews as I am changing from hospice homecare nursing and returning to the hospital. I have met some internal difficulties. I am now in an online support group, the first support group I've ever been in, and realizing more keenly than ever my secondaries may well present an image of insecurity in my abilities, which I don't have in nursing. I KNOW I can do the job.
There's been low reaction to my stuttering - that first glance of 'recognition,' etc., but no mention of it in re. to my work. I was hired at a hospital which had a very intense pre-employment screening program, involving meeting with a number of individuals before hire.
They had my resume', the information of my nursing history. (I have never put on a resume' that I stutter - I never know what the mindset of the first person reading it will be. I want to establish my abilities first. I do not claim to be right in this approach.)
Through all the steps of the interview I was treated with respect, and told of the need for my background on the unit I will be on. It seemed to me that the interviewers did not dwell on the stuttering, but that they needed my skills on a particular unit. I believe my speech was a much larger focus in my mind than theirs.
I dread interviews, but to get the job, they have to be done. Working harder on putting forth the confidence I do have that I can perform the job, showing interest, cooperation, my skills, abilities, strong areas, prior work history, all seem to be valued to the place my stuttering and secondaries aren't foremost in the picture.
Another thing which has helped me on these last interviews is reading a book on what the interviewer is looking for in a potential employee. It can be very helpful to have an idea of a good interview. I believe these things can minimize the effect stuttering might have.
I do feel to put everyone at ease and assure the employer one's speech does not affect his/her performance, it is ideal to be up front about it during the interview. Some of us haven't attained that. Perhaps these posts will encourage this process. Also, being able to be comfortable while being open is important. I must confess I finally summoned the courage to finally do this in one interview, yet, was so uncomfortable being open, I made the interviewer perhaps more uncomfortable with it than she would have been had I been able to be matter-of-fact, or even light, about it.
I inserted this later in the conference, but I do so in hopes for those reading this section who do have serious difficulties in interviews will find it somehow helpful. And, as in my other posts, if I can be of further assistance, please post again.
Karen Lewis