You know that how you look is the first thing people notice about you.
But did you know that how you speak is the second? And that if you have a strong regional or foreign accent, it could actually hinder your career mobility?
While not hiring someone just because they have an accent is considered discrimination under Title VII of The Civil Rights Act, an employer does have the right not to hire a candidate if an accent will interfere with the ability to do the job.
In addition, as one of Dade County’s top employment agencies, Future Force can tell you that language bias has been proven to occur during the hiring process. In fact, according to a study about how accents affect the hiring process by a professor at the University of North Texas at Denton (UNT), there is “an incredibly strong statistical correlation between judging someone as cultured, intelligent, competent, etc., and placing them into prestigious jobs” simply based on their lack of an accent. In other words, those without an accent seem to get the best jobs in many cases.
What’s more is that certain accents can be perceived negatively, while others are seen as a positive. For instance, a job candidate with a slight British accent may be viewed by some hiring managers as sophisticated and intelligent, while another with a Hispanic accent may be deemed less educated.
In addition, language bias can be situational, as well. For instance, if a candidate with an Asian accent were interviewing for a customer service position, their accent may have a negative impact on the hiring manager. However, if they’re interviewing for an engineering or technical position, then their accent may actually work in their favor.
So if you have an accent – and suspect it’s hurting your career, what can you do about it? Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Seek professional help. There are many companies that offer online courses and self-help tapes for neutralizing an accent.
- Be careful with your language. If you do have an accent, it’s even more important for you to show that you have good grammar and language skills. So speak slowly and clearly and don’t get flustered if an interviewer asks you to repeat yourself.
- Practice your answers. The more you practice your answers ahead of time, the more comfortable you’ll feel during the interview.
- Show why you’re a great fit for the company. At the end of the day, the interview is about showing why you’re a good fit for the job and the company. So focus on showcasing your background and personality; if you do a good job, it should trump any issues a hiring manager may have with your accent.
Need Help Finding a New Dade County Job?
If you do, let Future Force know. As one of Dade County’s top employment agencies, we’ve helped thousands of job seekers find rewarding career opportunities with great companies throughout the area…and we can help you too! Search our Dade County jobs now or contact us today.