Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - Number Nine.

Job interview number nine yesterday. I've never had this many interviews in my life without getting a job,  after one or two I usually get an offer.  Did not go well at all in my opinion. 

Sometimes I  remember and write about all the things I like about the UK on British Expats, however yesterday's interview reminded me of one of the reasons that I left the UK.

Yesterday's interview was with the regional sales director who was American and his boss who was English.

 At the conclusion of the interview the English guy asked me where I was from with the comment " You  sound like you are from ' Up North'"

 I explained that I was from Birmingham to which he snotily replied "Yeah, well that's up north is'nt it".

For any Americans reading, people in the south of the UK and London tend to look down their noses at anyone 'North of Watford', which is practically London. Traditionally the north of the UK was it's industrial blue collar heartland ,while white collar jobs were in and around London. Birmingham is actually located in the center of the country in the Midlands.

He then went on to explain that he thought I saw things black and white, hadn't anyone ever told me I have a Northern accent,  and that I had more of an East coast attitude as opposed to a West Coast attitude??,  all this less than 30 minutes after meeting me.

I then asked where he was from and he informed me Essex.

"Oh an Essex boy eh?" I  retorted.

He replied" Why does everyone say that?".

You started it with the Northern, black/white, east coast/west coast bullshit I silently seethed.

We shook hands and I left knowing that I had gone down like the proverbial lead balloon and should not expect a call back for a second interview.

The interview took me right back and I realised the class system is still alive and well in the UK, you seem to be still judged by your accent, never mind the fact I spent the last 6 years travelling the world doing business with multi-national companies worldwide.

Dealing with Americans it is usually the opposite, with ANY British accent  you seem to command immediate respect and  it almost seema to elevate your IQ to the person you are conversing with by at least 20 points, or  maybe I am too sensitive?

Well eh by gum I were right mad I can tell thee, I shuffled outside gaffers office in me clogs, doffed my cloth cap and made my way back home for us tea..............