Ds feedback: “stuttering”

[EdithHowland]

Ds has applied for about a million jobs (only slightly exaggerating). He had a zoom interview at last last week and was quite hopeful. He was pretty upset to be rejected and the feedback was that his technical knowledge was 100% but that he stuttered.

This is not a public-facing role. Ds does not stutter, but said he was very nervous and stammered at first until he settled down. He said he couldn’t believe that the one thing they picked out about him was that.

Do employers really condemn someone because of stuttering? Not everyone is confident and relaxed - certainly not ds. He is very down and says he can’t face any more interviews as they don’t want people like him.

They literally said that? If he had a disability they would be facing one hell of a claim about now! But no - most employers would not say that, and most of them wouldn't think it either (although a few might). Tell him they are idiots and not to be worried - he had a lucky escape not working for them!

Yes, there is no disability, apart from dreadful nervousness!

The problem is ds is geeky and gawky, so they probably just didn’t want him, in spite of his being very well qualified for the job.

Well they have very foolish if they actually used the words stuttered. He could have a disability!
They SHOULD have said he had all the technical skills they were looking for but he needs to improve his interview technique so he can get his knowledge over better. Then they could have given home some pointers.

Please reassure your DS this is not normal feedback. Most people are really nervous so interview experience is very helpful. Now he knows what to expect he can prepared and practice before the next one. Get him to practice giving answers and explanations out loud, doesn't need to be with anyone there. He can also record himself giving some explanations so he can hear how he comes across.

Good luck to your DS. Tell him all interviews are good practice

The problem is they don't know your ds could be very good at the job because he isn't good at interviews, there are experts who help people overcome interview nerves, they teach techniques that help.
I have interviewed grads over Zoom who when asked how they are, they say - I'm incredibly nervous - so I have spent 5-10mins chatting to them about any old nonsense that comes into my head and when I notice they are relaxed and we have built up a bit of rapport, I ask if we can proceed and that to try and see the interview as a chat to get to know each other a bit better, I try to make them laugh but sometimes it's tough.
We also try to encourage dd who is currently applying for jobs to try and see each interview as an opportunity to get to know a new person and hear about some of their stories. Generally, most companies want talented applicants to succeed they understand nerves - they are human and those who don't, well better to know = that employer is best avoided.

Thank you for the helpful replies. I’ll recommend that he practises out loud!

Feedback is all very well, but it smarts when someone is honest. The strange thing is this was a large organisation, where you might think that “personal remarks” were not deemed appropriate. Ah well, better than “you just missed out/were our second choice” platitudes.