Ask HN: What should I do?

#1

Post by pattle » Tue, Apr 02, 2013, 11:43 AM UTC

I work in the UK. I earn £15000 a year. For a web developer who has 3 years experience and always gets good annual reviews I feel I am underpaid. Normally the best course of action is to start looking for other jobs. But there is a problem... I have a terrible stammer

I've had lots of interviews for other positions, infact almost every position I apply for I get an interview for but my stammer that leaves me practically unable to talk in interviews.

I've asked my current employers for a raise but because they know my situation and they know my stammer means I interview badly they know I am stuck here.

I used to think my code would be able to win these battles for me but I think I'm wrong. What shall I do?

Re: Ask HN: What should I do?

#2

Post by stevejalim » Tue, Apr 02, 2013, 11:49 AM UTC

Where are you based, would you be willing to relocate and what skills do you have? I know a really great, warm web dev agency that is hiring. I can at least ping you a link. Email address in my profile.

Re: Ask HN: What should I do?

#3

Post by pattle » Tue, Apr 02, 2013, 11:50 AM UTC

stevejalim wrote: post #2

Where are you based, would you be willing to relocate and what skills do you have? I know a really great, warm web dev agency that is hiring. I can at least ping you a link. Email address in my profile.

Based in Suffolk, Yes definitely willing to relocate. Thanks, I'll be in touch

Re: Ask HN: What should I do?

#4

Post by mikecane » Tue, Apr 02, 2013, 12:00 PM UTC

Your stammering problem must bleed into the rest of your life too. Sorry if this is a question you've heard a billion times already, but have you done any research about how to get rid of it? A prominent TV personality here in the states named John Stossel confessed to growing up with a stammer that he still slightly has and talked about how he was able to rid himself of it.

Re: Ask HN: What should I do?

#5

Post by AdamGibbins » Tue, Apr 02, 2013, 12:13 PM UTC

There are cures to the majority of speech impediments, if its affecting your life day to day its likely you can also get this (this being speech therapy etc) on the NHS - you should speak to your GP for advice. I've often considered it myself, I have a mild lisp.

Re: Ask HN: What should I do?

#6

Post by petercooper » Tue, Apr 02, 2013, 12:16 PM UTC

pattle wrote: post #3

stevejalim wrote: post #2

Where are you based, would you be willing to relocate and what skills do you have? I know a really great, warm web dev agency that is hiring. I can at least ping you a link. Email address in my profile.

Based in Suffolk, Yes definitely willing to relocate. Thanks, I'll be in touch

My e-mail is also on my profile page - if possible, could you send me a CV? :-) (To be honest, if you have a portfolio/CV online, you might do better posting it right here as I suspect there will be some interest.)

Re: Ask HN: What should I do?

#7

Post by msellout » Tue, Apr 02, 2013, 12:18 PM UTC

You may be entitled to protection by disability laws (http://www.stammeringlaw.org.uk/disability/disab.htm) that will help you gain a raise or new employment.

Re: Ask HN: What should I do?

#8

Post by dylanhassinger » Tue, Apr 02, 2013, 12:30 PM UTC

You are a programmer. You can make value by wiggling your fingers. (Stammering is just fine!)

The solution: Build a micro product, turn it into a freedom business, and fire your boss.

http://fourhourworkweek.com

http://lifestylebusinesspodcast.com

http://startupbook.net

Fwiw, self-help products can be gold mines. You might try to develop a product to help other people with stammering, I have paid for "quit nailbiting" and "stop being shy" products.

Re: Ask HN: What should I do?

#9

Post by pklien » Tue, Apr 02, 2013, 12:30 PM UTC

Do you have a personal brand on the web? Do you blog? Do you publish code on services like github? How influential are you in the digital world - what's your social media presence? These are the strengths that matter!

Also, use this characteristic as a strength, in interviews introduce yourself "Hi, I am ____ - because I stammer, by web work is the best you'll find".

Re: Ask HN: What should I do?

#10

Post by robin_reala » Tue, Apr 02, 2013, 12:33 PM UTC

pklien wrote: post #9

Do you have a personal brand on the web? Do you blog? Do you publish code on services like github? How influential are you in the digital world - what's your social media presence? These are the strengths that matter! Also, use this characteristic as a strength, in interviews introduce yourself "Hi, I am ____ - because I stammer, by web work is the best you'll find".

His github profile looks certainly good enough to bag a job that pays more than £15k (extreme entry level in the UK, my first web development job was underpaid at £15.5k and that was in 2004).

https://github.com/pattle