I love it when people pick me up on something I have written – as often nothing is black and white in careerville here, and sometimes I talk off on a thought bubble. Yesterday I received this question on my blog – which I thought was an excellent question on how to manage an accent in an interview.
Hi, Karalyn
You are writing that “any incorrect choice of words will fuel any negative stereotypes a recruiter may have about communication skills” and then you advise to ask somebody to review the resume to ensure it is written in a “correct Australian fluent” style. However, what about an interview? Say, the resume is written and sounds “local”, but then when the interview follows, the recruiter will immediately understand that the candidate in real life is not so “local” – what to do then? I mean how important is to sound local on the phone or face-to-face interview? Can accent and “not so perfect” communication skills ruin the interview or be a major turn off for an interviewer?
A few times I have been interviewed on the phone and I realised that the incorrect using of some English vocabulary ruined my chances to be selected for further the face-to face interview.
Another question, is it important to be bubbly during the interview? However, it is very difficult for me to be bubbly, because English (as you found it out already) is not my first language. And the last question, if my personality is more introverted and I don’t speak a lot and prefer listening to speaking, can it have a negative impact on the interview’s decision to hire me.
Thank you, Karalyn
Where to start? Where to start? There are some big questions here.
One of the things I have noticed that people who have English as a second language stress about in interview, is this. They think that their language needs to be text book perfect, and they worry about not sounding like they have read the text book guide to words in their particular profession.
If that’s you, the thing to remember is don’t. Nobody ever sounds like they write or the text book they read. When recruiters assess your communication skills – sure they will hear your accent, but if you are genuinely listening, clarifying what they ask, and genuinely responding to what they say, they will think you are a good communicator.
Phone interviews if you have an accent and are really nervous are difficult. I would suggest practice. Tape yourself. Slow yourself down. Don’t panic, and focus on understanding what the other person has said, and whether you are answering their questions, rather than what you sound like. When you make communication about the other person, you take your energy away from you – and you will find that you are less nervous.
As for being bubbly – not all interviewers require bubbles. Be yourself. If you are naturally introverted – that’s what you are. Some places want introverts. Some people like extroverts, and a whole host of other personalities in between.
If you think you may run out of things to say, particularly if the interview is less formal, and chat-like – take a long list of questions. If you worry that you won’t have enough to say in answering questions, then read this post on interview preparation.
Lastly don’t ever say that you are a poor communicator as English is your second language. They can hear your accent. They will know that English is not your first language. Don’t give anyone reason to doubt your ability.
I actually spoke to the person who asked me this question on the phone today. The only reason I knew that she was worried about her communication skills and that she didn’t understand me, was when she told me she was worried about her English – after we had spoken.
Otherwise I would have had no idea!
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