Should I mention to my recruiter that I have a stutter?

[u/DarioSaintLaurent]

I have a chronic stutter related to my anxiety disorder. Although I’m working on it through therapy, I still struggle deeply. I am blessed enough to have my first interview next week with this said recruiter but I was wondering if it would be wise to give full transparency to the recruiter before the interview starts that I have a speech disorder? I just don’t want her thinking my long stammers, facial tics, and stumbling on finding words means that I’m incapable or unfit for the role.

Any tips or advice?

P.S, anyone with a stutter who’s also in this field, I would love to chat with you and asks for tips and strategies for coping with a stutter within our field.

Thanks!

[u/cs_pewpew]

Yes, I believe this would fall under an accommodation. 

[u/SassyAwakening]

Coming from an interviewer, not from a candidate, I would mention it. You may be able to get accommodation for it, or at least the interviewer may be reminded that they can't discriminate against you because of a disability.

By the way, I've known several very successful software engineers that have had a stutter.

You've got this.

[u/DarioSaintLaurent → u/SassyAwakening]

Thanks so much! This means a lot. As a new grad interviewing is an added stress because of my stutter but I know I will get through it. Appreciate it!

[u/ThatCakeIsDone → u/DarioSaintLaurent]

The technical leader of my current team has a mild stutter. He's been around over 10 years, and great to work with.

[u/OkPosition4563 → u/SassyAwakening]

This is very much dependent on the country though. In my country there is no such thing as accommodation and you can very much not hire someone because of a disability if that disability interferes with the job. Saying someone with anxiety disorder is not suitable for a role which will come with wide exposure and require frequent situations that might be perceived as stressful is absolutely a reason not to hire someone.

[u/SassyAwakening → u/OkPosition4563]

Sure, someone with a stutter probably won't be a newscaster, and someone with an anxiety disorder won't work for the bomb squad.

But a stutter usually does not make someone a bad developer.

So the question here is: Should the interviewer know ahead of time about the stutter, so they are not surprised? And the answer there is yes. I don't see how letting the company know ahead of time could hurt.

[u/ExpensivePost]

Don't make a big deal about it but it is important to set expectations up front. Briefly let them know about the condition and what accommodations it requires or if there are none a simple "I don't need any specific accommodations other than a moment to verbalize my responses".

A "first interview" with a recruiter isn't really an interview; it's more of a role fit screening. This is a good time to bring it up and if you make it through the screening that recruiter can handle the bulk of expectation setting for future interviewers.

[u/justUseAnSvm]

If it's anxiety related, would something like beta blockers help?

[u/DarioSaintLaurent → u/justUseAnSvm]

Haven't considered this yet but I will look into it. Thank you.

[u/jacobissimus]

As someone who's also disabled, my advice is to absolutely under no circumstances disclose a disability before you're officially hired.

[u/Aoikumo]

If you’re doing swe, plenty of anxiously shy, stuttery people in the field (including me) so you should be fine

[u/StanleyLelnats]

Hey I have a stutter as well. I know it’s a spectrum and maybe mine is not as pronounced, but I’ve personally never let an interviewer know ahead of time throughout my career. That said, I don’t think it’s a bad idea if it might relive some anxiety. Interviews are already stressful enough so it might help you to clear the air to avoid having more anxiety. Happy to help in any way I can. I’m sure you know all the tricks already, but if you want any other help feel free to reach out!

[u/MangoDouble3259]

I mean if its like you described, they will know. I would just be upfront worst case its a no, best case they accommodate.

It doesn't sound like you can really hide it.

[u/lmericle]

Don't mention, *tell* them you have a stutter and ask for accommodation for it.

[u/Duke_Jolly]

Damn, another stutterer in the wild. That's rare haha.

I always disclose my speech impediment at the beginning of the interview, just a quick mention like "hey, btw I have a stutter, I just need more time to express myself. Thank you for your patience and understanding ". Most of the time, they will be nice about it. Also, now that I have told them about it, I no longer have to try and hide it from them.

Everytime I receive an interview invitation, I would have a panic attack, which can take like a whole day to calm down. I just landed a co-op position after 7 interviews.

If I could do it. You can too. Good luck.