do i need to change my accent to get a job in australia
Dec 15th 2012, 8:38 am
#16
Officially Bewildered
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Blue Mountains, NSW
Posts: 5,523
Re: do i need to change my accent to get a job in australia
I have to make a concerted effort to speak slower and more clearly when I talk on the telephone (and at McDonald's drive-thrus 
) - I don't really think I have that strong an accent (but my kids assure me otherwise!)
) - I don't really think I have that strong an accent (but my kids assure me otherwise!)
Dec 15th 2012, 8:40 am
#17
221b Baker Street
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Miles from anywhere, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 14,125
Re: do i need to change my accent to get a job in australia
We had problems with our accent when we first came over (Yorkshire) and found that we had to speak slowly for Australians to understand us. I think our accent has changed slightly over time but is still very broad and I find I still have to speak slow for me to be understood
Dec 15th 2012, 8:46 am
#18
221b Baker Street
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Miles from anywhere, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 14,125
Re: do i need to change my accent to get a job in australia
When I was still in England, my then future Aussie wife and her daughter came over for a holiday.
We visited Doone Castle in Scotland. (Monty Python, Holy Grail). We parked next to a local who was unpacking his fishing gear out of the boot of his car. I had a conversation with him and understood every word.
The girls REALLY couldn't understand a word.
We visited Doone Castle in Scotland. (Monty Python, Holy Grail). We parked next to a local who was unpacking his fishing gear out of the boot of his car. I had a conversation with him and understood every word.
The girls REALLY couldn't understand a word.
Dec 15th 2012, 9:19 am
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: My happy place
Posts: 3,043
Re: do i need to change my accent to get a job in australia
I have to say that I have never had any issues at all. Some good natured banter with English colleagues about sounding like a cross between Captains Birdseye and Pugwash 
(every day is 'talk like a pirate day for me
).
I think a lot of it has to do with what you do for a living. Most of my work involves a lot of international travel, especially Asia and sitting in meeting rooms with folks from all over the world (more in Oz than in the UK). I'm not board level (far from it) but a lot of meetings take place in board rooms. When you're in that setting and discussing high value or complex projects and contracts, I think there tends to be a mutual respect just to get on with the job and respect everyone's professionalism.
The only issue I ever had was that I had one manager from Central America who would use the same word for 'agreement' and argument'. That normally wouldn't be a problem, but in my line of work (multi country, $m negotiation) those words can be interchangeable
I'm married to a Korean and a lot of our non triathlon related socialising is with the Korean and wider Asian community. I get used to 'filtering' what I hear and I'm sure others do the same.
(every day is 'talk like a pirate day for me).I think a lot of it has to do with what you do for a living. Most of my work involves a lot of international travel, especially Asia and sitting in meeting rooms with folks from all over the world (more in Oz than in the UK). I'm not board level (far from it) but a lot of meetings take place in board rooms. When you're in that setting and discussing high value or complex projects and contracts, I think there tends to be a mutual respect just to get on with the job and respect everyone's professionalism.
The only issue I ever had was that I had one manager from Central America who would use the same word for 'agreement' and argument'. That normally wouldn't be a problem, but in my line of work (multi country, $m negotiation) those words can be interchangeable
I'm married to a Korean and a lot of our non triathlon related socialising is with the Korean and wider Asian community. I get used to 'filtering' what I hear and I'm sure others do the same.
Dec 15th 2012, 9:25 am
#20
Still alive
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,994
Re: do i need to change my accent to get a job in australia
Your accent isn't strong! I didn't find you hard to understand at all.
Dec 15th 2012, 10:30 am
#21
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Western burbs, Melbourne
Posts: 2,260
Re: do i need to change my accent to get a job in australia
I'm struggling to find work at the moment- and foolishly I put it down to:
1) Christmas approaching
2) Almost everyone seems to bog off til end of Jan
3) No one wants the hassle of contractors at this time of the year.
Perhaps my very ordinary 'south England with Aussie words' accent is to blame?
OP- it is a rubbish time of the year to be looking for work.
1) Christmas approaching
2) Almost everyone seems to bog off til end of Jan
3) No one wants the hassle of contractors at this time of the year.
Perhaps my very ordinary 'south England with Aussie words' accent is to blame?
OP- it is a rubbish time of the year to be looking for work.
Dec 15th 2012, 11:11 am
#22
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 32
Re: do i need to change my accent to get a job in australia
Hi Asad. As others have said, you don't need to change your accent to get a job. You may need to work on speaking more clearly since English may not be your first language. However, Melbourne is very diverse and there are loads of Indian and Pakistanis living there who have jobs.
How long have you been here? You may find it's more a matter of giving it some time. A lot of people are unable to find work for the first few months, no matter where they come from. This is also a really bad time of year to be looking for work. It's the Christmas and school holidays over the next few weeks and a lot of businesses close down or at least slow down.
Good luck in the job hunt. Don't give up hope yet, you'll likely find something in the new year.
Ridiculous, too! And why is it ridiculous for someone to query whether their accent may be an issue with finding work? I seem to remember Margaret was having problems with her colleagues and her Scottish accent so why would it be so different for a guy from Pakistan to find people have issues with his accent?
How long have you been here? You may find it's more a matter of giving it some time. A lot of people are unable to find work for the first few months, no matter where they come from. This is also a really bad time of year to be looking for work. It's the Christmas and school holidays over the next few weeks and a lot of businesses close down or at least slow down.
Good luck in the job hunt. Don't give up hope yet, you'll likely find something in the new year.
Ridiculous, too! And why is it ridiculous for someone to query whether their accent may be an issue with finding work? I seem to remember Margaret was having problems with her colleagues and her Scottish accent so why would it be so different for a guy from Pakistan to find people have issues with his accent?
Dec 15th 2012, 11:23 am
#23
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,374
Re: do i need to change my accent to get a job in australia
Dec 15th 2012, 11:25 am
#24
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,374
Re: do i need to change my accent to get a job in australia
I have found this thread reassuring
Dec 15th 2012, 12:00 pm
#25
Mostly Harmless
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
Posts: 15,109
Re: do i need to change my accent to get a job in australia
Yes you most certainly do.
Nobody employs anyone who drives a Hyundai, it stands to reason ... a clear sing of a mental flaw.
Go for a Honda ... Mainstream, reliable and anonymous, ideal for your average prospective job hunter.
HTH.
Nobody employs anyone who drives a Hyundai, it stands to reason ... a clear sing of a mental flaw.
Go for a Honda ... Mainstream, reliable and anonymous, ideal for your average prospective job hunter.
HTH.
Dec 15th 2012, 12:25 pm
#26
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: do i need to change my accent to get a job in australia
First Born drives a Hyundai Elantra and also has a job so sorry, but you're wrong.
Dec 15th 2012, 12:29 pm
#27
221b Baker Street
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Miles from anywhere, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 14,125
Re: do i need to change my accent to get a job in australia
Dec 15th 2012, 12:47 pm
#28
Mostly Harmless
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
Posts: 15,109
Dec 15th 2012, 12:49 pm
#29
Mostly Harmless
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
Posts: 15,109
Re: do i need to change my accent to get a job in australia
Look, consider replacing it with a ... with a ... *&^*, look consider a Kia. If only as a stop-gap measure.
It's a cat eat dog world out there, be prepared.
Dec 15th 2012, 12:52 pm
#30
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: do i need to change my accent to get a job in australia
Kia? Are you mad? The cat's not well, don't think she's eaten a dog though.