Job Searching for People Who Stutter: Tips for Employers and Job Seekers
Laura Thorburn, M.S., CCC-SLP
We’ve all been there—sitting in an interview, sweating, hoping our answers land the way we intend. But looking for a job can feel even more stressful for a person who stutters. Unfortunately, many employers still misunderstand what stuttering is. That’s why it’s so important for people who stutter to be prepared and communicate with confidence. Adults who stutter often bring strong work histories, skills, and years of dedication, yet they still face bias during hiring. Interviews move fast, and expectations are high. Job search tips that are tailored to people who stutter can help job seekers move forward with greater confidence. Read on for expert guidance from our speech therapists, both for people who stutter and for employers.
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Get startedWhy the job search can be so challenging for people who stutter
Many adults who stutter have lived with years of misunderstanding. Some employers don’t know what stuttering is. They may mistake it for nervousness or lack of preparation. They may think it’s linked to intelligence. These assumptions can create barriers that have nothing to do with the person’s skills.
People who stutter often say they feel they must “prove themselves twice.” They may start in lower-level jobs even when they have experience. They may work harder to earn the same trust others get on day one. Over time, this can take a toll.
Stuttering also fluctuates from day to day. A person may feel fluent, or able to speak smoothly, on Tuesday, then struggle more on Wednesday. This is normal. But it can make job interviews feel unpredictable and stressful.
The reality is simple: Adults who stutter are already strong communicators. They manage a complex speech system every day. They problem-solve constantly. They persist even when communication takes extra effort. These are traits any employer should value.
5 tips for getting a job with a stutter
Adults who stutter already have a lifetime of tools and resilience. But searching for a job can feel overwhelming. These five tips can help.
1 Practice your interview skills with realistic scenarios
Interviews can bring pressure. Practicing common interview questions can make them easier. You can role-play with a friend, a family member, or a speech therapist.
When you practice with a speech therapist, you’ll learn verbal frameworks to provide organization to your answers for common job interview questions. You can also learn and practice fluency strategies that help you feel more confident when you speak. Recording yourself can help you track progress over time.
Remember: Your fluency may change from one practice session to another. This is normal. The goal is not “perfect speech.” The goal is clear, confident communication that shows your strengths.
2 Use stuttering disclosure wisely
Many adults who stutter choose to disclose early in the interview. They may say something like, “I stutter, so you may hear that today. It doesn’t affect my skills, but I wanted you to know.”
Disclosing can lower pressure. It also sets the tone: You are confident, direct, and ready to focus on your qualifications. But disclosure is always a personal choice. You decide what feels right for you and your situation.
3 Highlight your strengths and experience
People who stutter often build strong empathy, patience, creativity, and problem-solving skills. They learn to prepare, adapt, and communicate thoughtfully. These qualities matter in every workplace.
During your job search, make sure to highlight these strengths. Share stories that show how you overcame challenges, led teams, or supported customers. Employers remember stories more than perfect speech.
4 Prepare a strategy for moments of stuck speech
Sometimes stuttering blocks happen during interviews. This does not reflect your ability. You can try a slow replenishing breath, a gentle start, or a pause to reset. You can also acknowledge the moment and move on.
Planning these strategies ahead of time can help you feel more in control. In addition, working with a speech therapist allows you to practice those moments of being stuck “in real time.” Some speech therapy providers have additional staff who can sit in on your sessions, so you can practice with an unfamiliar listener or group of listeners. This can mimic the pressure you might feel during a job interview or high-stakes conversation. Practicing in these simulations is a safe and powerful way to work on your own unique way of managing your communication skills.
5 Build a support network
Adults who stutter don’t need to navigate the job search alone. Support groups, speech therapists, career coaches, and stuttering organizations can all help. These resources can boost your confidence and prepare you for each step.
How employers can support job candidates who stutter
Employers play a major role in making hiring more fair. Most changes are small and easy to do. But they create a huge difference in how confident and respected a candidate feels.
Use inclusive interview practices for people who stutter
Stuttering is not a sign of poor preparation, and it is not tied to intelligence or job knowledge. It is not a psychological disorder, mental disorder, or learning disability. Stuttering is a speech pattern and a difference in verbal communication.
During interviews, employers should slow down. Focus on what the candidate says, not how fast they say it. Interviewers can also offer different response times or allow candidates to write down answers if needed. These small shifts create more equal conditions.
You can learn more about stuttering through trusted resources like the Stuttering Foundation. Knowledge reduces bias and builds stronger teams.
Judge skills, not speech fluency
Strong communication is not the same as perfect fluency, or smoothness of speech. Good communication includes listening, clarity, empathy, planning, and follow-through. Adults who stutter excel in many of these areas because they have practiced them for years.
Adults who stutter are strong communicators. They problem-solve and persist, even when communication takes effort. These are traits any employer should value.
Employers should look at the whole picture: work history, references, technical skills, and problem-solving ability. A person’s speech fluency has nothing to do with their competence.
Create a culture that values every voice
Workplaces thrive when people feel safe to speak. Employers can help by giving time, avoiding interruptions, and staying patient during conversations. These habits improve communication for everyone, not just people who stutter.
When the culture supports different communication styles, employees perform better and stay longer. This is true for all employees and will go a long way in allowing those who stutter an opportunity to feel valued and heard—and to contribute.
How speech therapy supports the job search for people who stutter
Speech therapy can help you get a job with a stutter. Therapy offers tools for communication, confidence, and real-world speaking situations. It’s not about “curing” stuttering. It’s about improving ease, comfort, and control and increasing your confidence in becoming the communicator you know you can be.
Speech therapy helps strengthen interview skills
As mentioned above, a speech therapist can help you practice interviews, phone calls, presentations, and hard conversations. You can work on speech rate, breathing, pacing, and strategies to handle moments of tension. You can also develop scripts that help you disclose stuttering when needed.
Speech therapy builds confidence in real-life speaking
Many adults who stutter deal with anxiety, avoidance, or negative past experiences. Speech therapy helps unpack these feelings. It gives you a safe place to try new speaking tools and build confidence at your own pace.
At Expressable, we have additional staff who can serve as unfamiliar listeners during sessions. This is a great opportunity to practice small talk and conversational skills for people who feel they get too comfortable with their speech therapist.
Speech therapy supports workplace communication
A speech therapist can help with the professional communication skills needed for meetings, video calls, introductions, and small talk. They can also guide you in choosing strategies that match your natural speaking style. This support helps you show up as your full self at work. You can practice presenting, making an elevator pitch, or moderating a meeting.
A message to employers about hiring people who stutter
People who stutter are out there every day searching for fair opportunities. Many have years of experience. Many have already proven their dedication in challenging roles. They are not asking for favors. They are asking for a chance to show what they can do.
Stutterers bring depth, resilience, creativity, and insight to the workplace. Employers who recognize these strengths gain loyal and hardworking employees.
Stutterers are not “less.” They bring depth, resilience, creativity, and insight to the workplace. Employers who learn to recognize these strengths gain loyal and hardworking employees.
Opportunity is all they need. They’ll do the rest.
How Expressable helps job seekers who stutter
At Expressable, we support adults who stutter at every stage of communication—from daily conversations to workplace challenges and interview practice. We frequently work with professionals who want more confidence, ease, and clarity during the job search and beyond. We have therapists and support staff who can serve as unfamiliar listeners and give you unique opportunities to put your communication skills to the test. Your therapist will create a treatment plan that’s tailored to your needs and provides you the most value.
If you’re ready for support, we’re here to help you speak with power and pride. Get matched with a speech therapist here.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is it hard to get a job if you stutter?
Some employers don’t know what stuttering is. They may mistake it for nervousness or lack of preparation. However, being prepared and confident during the job search can help you set the tone and place the focus on your qualifications, not the smoothness of your speech.
How can I stop stuttering in an interview?
It’s important to have a plan. You may not be able to avoid stuttering, but you can have strategies ready, such as a replenishing breath, a gentle start, or a pause to reset. You can also acknowledge the moment and move on.
How should I interview someone with a stutter?
Stuttering is a difference in verbal communication. When interviewing a person who stutters, it helps to slow down. Focus on what the candidate says, not how fast they say it. You can also offer different response times or allow candidates to write down answers if needed. These small shifts create more equal conditions.
What else can help me get a job with a stutter?
A speech therapist can help you learn techniques for smoother speech, prepare for interviews, and cope with anxiety around speaking. You can also learn professional communication skills needed for meetings, video calls, introductions, and small talk. Click here to get matched with a speech therapist.
Key takeaways
Adults who stutter often bring strong work skills and knowledge, yet they still face bias during hiring. Some employers mistake stuttering for nervousness or lack of preparation.
Adults who stutter are already strong communicators. They problem-solve and persist every day. These are traits to highlight with employers.
There are strategies you can use to prepare for interviews, such as practicing questions, having a plan for moments of stuck speech, and deciding whether to disclose your stuttering.
Employers can make small changes in how they interview to make the process more equitable for everyone.
Speech therapy can help adults who stutter with their communication and confidence in both the job search and the workplace.
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication and feeding, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 3,000 5-star reviews from our clients (4.9/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
Communication is more than words. It’s how we share how we feel and show who we are. We’re here to help you or your child do just that.
