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Your Voyage
to
areer
uccess!
C S
ns
National
Stuttering
Association
Changing the lives of people who stutter
For people who stutter, starting or changing careers can be
a difficult sail, full of choppy water, storms, sharks, and
icebergs. Use these helpful tips to begin your voyage,
avoid the hazards, and find smooth sailing in your career!
WadingI n -
Where do I start?
Career exploration
Do you know where you are headed? If you are starting your journey
or looking for a new career, a bit of research and exploration can
help set your course in the right direction.
Research – There is a wealth of information available on careers, employment trends, high-growth
industries, salary levels, education and training. The Internet, your local library or bookstore, your
college’s career center (for both students and alumni), and your local workforce agency will provide
valuable information for your search. Gather information about the required training and salaries, and
talk to people in the field about how they got their jobs and what training they needed. Become a
member of the National Stuttering Association and make use of the newly created NSA Careers
program to find other people who stutter working in careers or organizations in which you are interested.
Internships – Internships are not just for students. Whether you are just starting out or
changing careers, consider doing an internship to explore different career options and get
your foot in the door with the organization you are interested in. According to a 2010 survey
of college graduates by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, students who
participated in an internship were more likely to graduate with a job offer and received a
higher salary than those who had not participated in an internship.
Volunteer – Volunteering is a great way to make contacts, explore new career fields, and
expand your skills. Offer your organizational, bookkeeping, or computer skills to a local food
bank, animal shelter, arts organization, or school. Mentor young people or help with a cause
that’s close to your heart and expand your repertoire of skills. You can also serve on the
board of a non-profit organization. Many non-profits are eager to find good people and will
welcome volunteers with open arms, and you can make good contacts while working with
other board members. Volunteering can lead to new opportunities, keep your skills fresh,
and may even lead to a job!
Job Searching
There are many approaches to job searching, but the key is to be
proactive, persistent, and patient. The Internet is one easy source
for job searches, but often the best way to find a job is through
networking and word-of-mouth, as long as you remember that
networking is about building long-term relationships. The following
are some valuable sources and strategies.
Commercial Websites – There are hundreds, if not thousands, of online job boards where
you can post your resume and search for available jobs. Some are general career sites, while others
are tailored to specific industries or career fields. In addition to the major commercial job boards,
look also at local and national newspapers, industry associations in your career area, and other nonprofit associations related to your field of interest. Conduct an Internet search in your field of interest
to find the organizations that can help you.
Be Creative – Search within your field of interest; search for companies you would like to work
for and check their employment page; or search for the name of the job and the city or state you are
interested in (e.g., “computer programming jobs Dallas”) to find job listings and job boards in that city.
Networking – Many job searchers find positions through contacts and people that they know.
Think about everyone you know and consider how they can possibly help you. Let your friends, family
and colleagues know that you are looking (but be careful if you are currently employed as you may not
want your employer to know you are looking) and ask them if they know anyone in the company or
industry you are interested in. Attend networking events sponsored by college alumni associations,
industry associations, and professional organizations. Join professional organizations, attend their
training and networking events, and get involved in those associations and groups – that’s how you
can really stand out. If you are nervous about meeting new people, just remember that the more
networking you do, the easier it will become. Practice introducing yourself with friends and family
and desensitize yourself by talking to strangers whenever you can.
Job Searching, continued
Informational Interviewing – Use your network to find key people in the field or company
you are interested in, and ask those individuals if they could meet with you for a half hour to
answer some questions about their job, their company, or their industry. Don’t be scared of
cold calls or emails. People are busy but many will be flattered to know that someone sees
them as an expert and will be willing to help someone just starting out. If they are too busy,
offer to buy them breakfast or lunch one day – after all, they have to eat, right? And if they’re
still too busy, ask them if they can refer you to someone else who may be interested in
speaking with you. If you are concerned about stuttering on the phone, an email message
can be just as effective as a call, and may be preferred by the employer, as they can respond
at their convenience.
College Career Service and Alumni Offices – If you are a graduate of a college or
university, use their alumni career services. They are there to help alumni, regardless of how long
ago they graduated. If you did not graduate from a college or university, their career center websites
often have valuable tips for anyone starting their job search. They will have sample resumes, interview
techniques, and links to job search websites. If their resources are freely available online they’re
available to everyone!
The key to a successful job search is to be proactive. Simply sending out
resumes blindly may work sometimes, but don’t put all your eggs in this one basket. You need to
take the initiative in researching and contacting employers. If you are worried about making cold
calls, you can fall back on email, but don’t let your speech interfere with being proactive in
your search.
Watch Out for Sharks!
The Benefits and Perils of Social Networking
The Internet has completely changed the way we interact with one
another and can provide numerous opportunities for networking.
Social networking sites are valuable for connecting with friends,
colleagues, and former employers who can help in your job search;
and blogs can showcase your writing and catch the eye of a
potential employer. But the flip side to this coin is that posting
personal information of any kind has the potential to cause harm
in your career and job search. Treat the Internet as though anyone
(a potential boss, your coworkers, or your parents) can read
anything you write or view any photos that are posted.
Check to make sure that all photos that you or your friends have
posted of you are ones that you would show your boss, mother,
or grandmother, and that any of your writing (status updates,
blog entries, etc.) is something that you’d want anyone to read.
Privacy filters aren’t foolproof, and employers are checking
social networking sites to screen job candidates! But as
long as you’re smart about how you use it, social media
can be a great job search resource, especially using LinkedIn
to find contacts at organizations that appeal to you.
etting
ail
S S
Where do I go once I get started?
Career Exploration
Once you know which direction to travel, you’re ready to set sail and
follow the right path to land a job. The following are the tools you’ll
need to get started.
Resumes
A resume is required when applying for many jobs and it’s essential that your resume makes the right
impression with potential employers. They often receive hundreds of resumes for each job and may
only spend 10-20 seconds on each one before deciding to continue reading, so yours must stand out –
not with gimmicks but with a clear, concise, error-free, and dynamic description of your skills, talents,
and experience.
There are several ways to construct your resume, but experts agree that the top half of the first page may
be the only part they see before deciding to continue reading, so that section should include the relevant
information that tells them that you’re the best person for the job. This will include your career objective and relevant skills – tailored to the specific job – while the rest of the resume can be constructed
with your relevant experience. There are many resume writing guides in print and online to help you
document and present your experience.
Just remember that this is not a time to be modest; at the same time, never lie on your resume. Focus on
your accomplishments and successes. What positive impact did you have in your past jobs? Try to quantify these impacts. How much did sales increase? How much money did you raise? How many people
benefitted from the product or service that you provided? How many people did you supervise? Tailor
your resume to each job and ensure that the requested skills are reflected. Think about what the employer
would want from a candidate and make sure that is clearly reflected in your resume.
I’ve been sailing the seas for a while? Do I list every job I’ve held?Employers do not want to read novel-length resumes, so try to keep the number of pages to a minimum.
This is not an opportunity to document your job history but to highlight your talents and experience.
If your employment history includes more than two pages of jobs, focus only on the most recent or the
most relevant and summarize the rest.
Finally
• Use “action” or “power” words as much as possible. These are verbs that convey action
and success. You can find lists of these words in both online and print resume guides.
• Some experts recommend keeping resumes to one page, but do what works best for you
and your level of experience. The key is to ensure that the most relevant and important
information is at the top of the first page.
• Have several people look at your resume to check for errors and ways to improve it.
Don’t rely on spell check alone to catch errors. Remember, just because “their” is
spelled correctly does not mean that you should not have used “there” instead.
• Use clear fonts and a good printer. Don’t use complex formatting when emailing electronic
resumes as the formatting may not work on the employer’s computer or printer.
• Once you are in your new job be sure to update your resume regularly to document your
current work activities.
What if I’m just starting out in my journey? – If you don’t have much work experience, you can document your volunteer and school experiences to show the skills you have acquired.
Do you have leadership experience? What did you learn in your volunteer or school activities?
Include these experiences to demonstrate your skills.
Cover Letters
As with resumes, many jobs require a cover letter in the application process. A well-written cover letter
is just as important as a well-written resume in helping you rise to the top of the pile. There are guide
books for writing cover letters but remember, as with resumes, they need to be clear, concise, and errorfree. Consider the cover letter a supplement to your resume and an opportunity to more directly address
your qualifications for that particular job. Keep in mind that you are trying to meet the employer’s needs,
not yours. They want to know what’s in it for them, not what’s in it for you, so show them how you will
benefit the organization.
Watch Out for Storms!
Should I mention my stuttering in
a resume or cover letter?
The short answer is ‘no’. The long answer is ‘maybe’.
You don’t want to give an employer a reason to throw out
your resume, so think carefully before listing your membership
in the National Stuttering Association or participation
in chapter activities. However, if you are a chapter leader
or conference presenter, or hold another leadership role in
a stuttering organization, you may want to consider listing
it as a leadership or volunteer activity. The decision is
up to you, but you should only include it if it makes you
shine brighter among the other candidates.
Interviewing
Congratulations! You’ve found your way to an interview! This is
your opportunity to show your potential employer that you’re
the right person for the job. The following are two key things to
remember: Research and Practice.
Research – Research the organization before you walk in. Check their website but also do an
internet search to find newspaper articles, blogs, financial reports, and other information about the
company, including their financial situation, current problems, and recent successes. Know the name
of the CEO or president, how long they have been in operation, and what their organizational culture
is like. Develop questions relevant to the organization and be sure that you appear informed about their
mission and work. You can also spend some time researching successful interview techniques as well.
Practice – A bit of practice will go a long way toward making you feel more comfortable and less
nervous in your interview. Practice your opening words, as the first impression is key. Think about how
you would answer the question, “Tell me about yourself”, and be prepared to answer it in a way that
sells your best qualities and tells them that you’re the best person for the job. Prepare for difficult
questions and be ready to answer questions about anything that is or may appear negative, such as gaps
in your employment history, the reason you left your last job, or the reason it took you seven years to
finish college. Tell the truth, but be prepared to turn a negative into a positive. (For example: “My
college career was interrupted in my sophomore year when my mother became sick and I needed to
help care for my younger siblings and get a part-time job to help out with the family finances. This
experience gave me a stronger work ethic and made me more responsible and driven to finish college.”)
Be prepared to answer difficult or off-beat questions, such as, “What would your former boss say are
your two biggest strengths and weaknesses?” or “If you could invite anyone, living or dead, to dinner,
who would it be?” (You can find more typical questions in interview guidebooks and online guides.)
Consider some honest but insightful answers. Finally, don’t go into the interview until you have had
the chance to do a role play interview with an experienced professional. Get comfortable with someone
trying to make you uncomfortable. And practice.
Other things to remember:
•Dress the part. Research the company and dress above the normal dress code. If they wear
jeans and t-shirts or khaki pants and polo shirts, aim for a notch above. If they wear business suits,
wear your best suit. For many jobs, a suit will never fail.
• Be punctual. Nothing turns an employer off more than a person who doesn’t show up on time.
• Have good presence: Shake hands firmly and maintain good eye contact, even when you
stutter or have a bad block.
atch
out
for
cebergs
W
I
How should I address my stuttering in an interview?
Interviews are one of the most feared speaking situations for people who
stutter. Most people get nervous when interviewing for a job, but for those
who stutter, the experience can be doubly stressful. We wonder if the
interviewer will see our talents and abilities if we struggle with our speech,
and this can lead to even higher stress levels. For people whose stuttering is
less apparent to the listener (e.g., those who are mild or covert), this may not
be an issue. However, if you believe that you will stutter during the interview,
you may want to take proactive steps to address employer concerns.
Disclosure – to share or not to share. One way to ease those concerns is to address
them up front. Before the interview, develop a brief “speech” about your stuttering and be prepared to
tell them that you stutter, that it doesn’t impact your intelligence or your ability to do the job, and that
people who stutter can be excellent communicators. Then explain what you may have done in other jobs
or school to manage your speech and describe any positive influences it has had in your life (leadership
or organizational experience through the NSA, better listening skills, more empathy, more creativity in
communication – as long as it’s truthful). By addressing it up front, you can alleviate those fears and
continue with the interview with more confidence. But remember, don’t dwell too long on your stuttering unless the interviewer wants to do so. You’re there for a job interview, not to give a crash course
on stuttering.
If your stuttering is not readily apparent, you may or may not choose to address
your speech in the interview. You don’t want to give them a reason to turn you down, but if you think
disclosure can be of benefit in your interview, then do so if it’s relevant.
Be prepared to answer questions about your speech and about how you will do your job,
especially if it involves communication skills. Employers are justifiably concerned about potential problems and it is up to you to assure them that you are the best person for the job, stuttering or not.
After the Interview
Following your interview, be sure to send a note to the person
or people you spoke with, thanking them for their time
(don’t forget to collect business cards before you leave).
You can send an email message, but a hand-written or even
typed note will make a better impression, and it will really
stand out in this electronic age.
If you haven’t heard anything back from the employer within
a week, then it’s okay to follow up with an email saying how
much you enjoyed the interview and how you would love to
get some feedback. Offer, if need be, to come back in and
go deeper about the job expectations.
I
’ve reached the shore!
Now that I’ve gotten the job, how do I
make sure I am successful and move up?
There are many strategies you can use to get ahead and have a
successful career.
Make a good first impression – It’s important to make a good first impression when
starting a new job. Show up on your first day on time and ready to get to work. Ask for a list of
expectations for your first month on the job and focus on a tangible goal that you can accomplish
quickly and measurably in those first 100 days. Ask questions and pay attention to the corporate
culture to ensure that you fit in.
Continue to network – You used your network to get the job and now you need to continue
building that network with your new colleagues. You will want to identify and connect with the
people who want you to succeed, and those who can help you advance in the organization.
Be polite and friendly with everyone, even those you do not get along with. Try to form
collegial relationships so that people will see you as professional and a team player.
Don’t confine yourself to just your department. If your company’s leaders seem to come from
Marketing, and you’re in Operations, figure out a way to connect with the folks in Marketing.
You don’t need to limit this to work activities. If a group of Marketing people play a pick-up
basketball game in the company gym during lunch every Tuesday, then consider joining in.
Lastly, continue to network with people outside your organization. Again, get involved with
trade associations, volunteer, and do all of the things that you were doing before you found
this great job. After all, if your company has a mass layoff and you’ve only networked with
people inside, then everyone in your network will also be unemployed.
Seek out a mentor – Find someone, or multiple someones, who can help you in your
continued journey. Find someone who can be a sounding board, who is not in your direct
chain of command, so you can talk about problems and possible solutions. People will
appreciate being asked to serve as your mentor – after all, who doesn’t like an ego boost?
Be a life-long learner! – Even if you are done with school, you are not done with learning.
Continue to read to keep up-to-date with trends in your industry. Keep up with new technologies,
new developments, and new ideas. Read newspapers, trade journals, business magazines, or blogs
to stay current.
Career Development – Take advantage of opportunities for continuing education.
If your organization offers writing courses, computer courses, funding for undergraduate or
graduate degrees, or funding for professional conferences, take advantage of every opportunity.
It will not only provide you with valuable training and tools but will also show your employer
that you are serious about your career and your place in the organization. Of course, schools
and conferences are also great avenues for networking!
Accommodations on the job – Is there anything that can help you do your job more
effectively? Regardless of whether you see yourself as having a disability, certain accommodations
can help you on the job. Employers are required under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act
to provide reasonable accommodations (those that do not place “undue hardship” on the employer),
so it is reasonable to ask for an accommodation if it will help you do your job better.
What types of accommodations are there for people who stutter? Are you more comfortable making
phone calls in a quiet environment? You could ask for a desk in a quiet corner or a private office.
Do they require employees to use the intercom system or answer phones? If you see this as a possible
problem for you, consider asking the employer to have these tasks assigned to someone else and offer
to do another task. They may still say that these are essential functions of the job, but you may want
to raise the issue and offer solutions. But be careful about avoiding tasks when it could harm your
performance or your career development. Avoid avoiding! Keep in mind that you should only ask for
a reasonable accommodation AFTER the job offer.
Finally – Keep in mind that there are thousands of people who stutter who have achieved
career success. It takes persistence, research, networking, and a positive attitude to reach
your destination!
Resources
The National Stuttering Association (NSA) – The largest self-help support
organization in the United States for people who stutter. The NSA’s mission is to bring hope
and empowerment to children and adults who stutter, their families, and professionals through
support, education, advocacy, and research. http://www.westutter.org
The NSA offers the following additional brochures on employment:
Mastering the Job Interview booklet:
http://www.westutter.org/whoWeHelp/Booklet-Master-the-Job-Interview.htm
What Employers Should Know about Stuttering:
http://www.westutter.org/whoWeHelp/NSA-Employer-Handbook.htm
The British Stammering Association – The BSA offers brochures on
employment and careers:
http://www.stammering.org/employee_booklet.html
http://www.stammering.org/employment.html#booklets
Career One-Stop – Search for the fastest growing occupations and employment
trends, look up education and training resources, find resume and interview guidance, and
locate career services near you. http://www.careeronestop.org/. They also have an extensive
list of reliable job boards run by commercial companies, industry associations, state and local
governments, and other specialty categories. http://www.careeronestop.org/
JobSearch/FindJobs/BrowseJobSites.aspx
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) – JAN is the leading source of
free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability
employment issues. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and
employee, JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability, and shows
employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to
the workplace. http://askjan.org/
JAN fact sheet on accommodations for people who stutter: http://askjan.org/media/
employmentstutfact.doc
ns
National
Stuttering
Association
Changing the lives of people who stutter