Is your accent a problem here?
Oct 23rd 2009 | 12:18 pm
#1
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 39
From: Boro boy in Woodstock, GA
Is your accent a problem here?
Hi Y'all
Been in Atlanta since March. In a job since August but not my trade (PR/Comms) and looking around now.
Had five interviews in the past month, didn't land any of them and while my qualifications and experience seem to fit, something isn't quite landing.
My wife suggests it might be my strong-ish North Eastern accent, which whilst charming in the UK, is a different kettle of fish in the US, particularly the South.
Has anybody else ran into trouble with their accent here? (unusual I know because you'd think we spoke the same language but all the same).
Been in Atlanta since March. In a job since August but not my trade (PR/Comms) and looking around now.
Had five interviews in the past month, didn't land any of them and while my qualifications and experience seem to fit, something isn't quite landing.
My wife suggests it might be my strong-ish North Eastern accent, which whilst charming in the UK, is a different kettle of fish in the US, particularly the South.
Has anybody else ran into trouble with their accent here? (unusual I know because you'd think we spoke the same language but all the same).
Oct 23rd 2009 | 12:27 pm
#2
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 15,914
From: Reno Nevada
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Funny you should post this!!
Today I was calling a client and this old biddy answered the phone, I had to explain over and over who I was. where I was from and she said to me "I am sorry I don't understand anything you are saying"
"you need to learn a better phone technique"
................not the best quote to make to a woman who has taught and trained folk on phone etiquette in sales and marketing and won awards for outstanding customer service training.............if I had not been on a sales call I would of told the old goat to turn her F..IN hearing aid up and not be so bloody rude. 
Today I was calling a client and this old biddy answered the phone, I had to explain over and over who I was. where I was from and she said to me "I am sorry I don't understand anything you are saying"
"you need to learn a better phone technique"................not the best quote to make to a woman who has taught and trained folk on phone etiquette in sales and marketing and won awards for outstanding customer service training.............if I had not been on a sales call I would of told the old goat to turn her F..IN hearing aid up and not be so bloody rude.
Oct 23rd 2009 | 12:47 pm
#3
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 89,087
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Funny you should post this!!
Today I was calling a client and this old biddy answered the phone, I had to explain over and over who I was. where I was from and she said to me "I am sorry I don't understand anything you are saying""you need to learn a better phone technique"................not the best quote to make to a woman who has taught and trained folk on phone etiquette in sales and marketing and won awards for outstanding customer service training.............if I had not been on a sales call I would of told the old goat to turn her F..IN hearing aid up and not be so bloody rude.
Today I was calling a client and this old biddy answered the phone, I had to explain over and over who I was. where I was from and she said to me "I am sorry I don't understand anything you are saying"
"you need to learn a better phone technique"................not the best quote to make to a woman who has taught and trained folk on phone etiquette in sales and marketing and won awards for outstanding customer service training.............if I had not been on a sales call I would of told the old goat to turn her F..IN hearing aid up and not be so bloody rude.
Oct 23rd 2009 | 1:12 pm
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,109
From: North Charleston,SC. born in Stockport,UK.
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Hi Y'all
Been in Atlanta since March. In a job since August but not my trade (PR/Comms) and looking around now.
Had five interviews in the past month, didn't land any of them and while my qualifications and experience seem to fit, something isn't quite landing.
My wife suggests it might be my strong-ish North Eastern accent, which whilst charming in the UK, is a different kettle of fish in the US, particularly the South.
Has anybody else ran into trouble with their accent here? (unusual I know because you'd think we spoke the same language but all the same).
Been in Atlanta since March. In a job since August but not my trade (PR/Comms) and looking around now.
Had five interviews in the past month, didn't land any of them and while my qualifications and experience seem to fit, something isn't quite landing.
My wife suggests it might be my strong-ish North Eastern accent, which whilst charming in the UK, is a different kettle of fish in the US, particularly the South.
Has anybody else ran into trouble with their accent here? (unusual I know because you'd think we spoke the same language but all the same).
No offense meant, and this is just my humble opinion, it could be something completely different...Good luck with your job hunt
Oct 23rd 2009 | 3:36 pm
#5
Resident Sillycow
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,651
From: Dunwoody, GA!!
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Im also in ATL and worryingly get told most days that my accent makes me sound intelligent..........
However I am having no luck finding a new job!! I also think its more to do with the complete lack of employment opportunitys here in ATL and us being foreigners more than we just talk funny!!
How are you liking it here apart from the lack of interviews??
However I am having no luck finding a new job!! I also think its more to do with the complete lack of employment opportunitys here in ATL and us being foreigners more than we just talk funny!!
How are you liking it here apart from the lack of interviews??
Oct 23rd 2009 | 3:48 pm
#6
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 38,860
From: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
GA has over a 10 percent unemployment rate, one of the higher ones in the country.
Oct 23rd 2009 | 3:59 pm
#7
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 92,276
From: MA, USA
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
It's probably the market and there's just better contenders local so I'd not worry about it...and you can mock people who can't understand you... 
Oct 23rd 2009 | 4:05 pm
#8
I'm off to find a spanner
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,867
From: Maine
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Hi Y'all
Been in Atlanta since March. In a job since August but not my trade (PR/Comms) and looking around now.
Had five interviews in the past month, didn't land any of them and while my qualifications and experience seem to fit, something isn't quite landing.
My wife suggests it might be my strong-ish North Eastern accent, which whilst charming in the UK, is a different kettle of fish in the US, particularly the South.
Has anybody else ran into trouble with their accent here? (unusual I know because you'd think we spoke the same language but all the same).
Been in Atlanta since March. In a job since August but not my trade (PR/Comms) and looking around now.
Had five interviews in the past month, didn't land any of them and while my qualifications and experience seem to fit, something isn't quite landing.
My wife suggests it might be my strong-ish North Eastern accent, which whilst charming in the UK, is a different kettle of fish in the US, particularly the South.
Has anybody else ran into trouble with their accent here? (unusual I know because you'd think we spoke the same language but all the same).
Oct 23rd 2009 | 11:21 pm
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,770
From: Dubuque, Iowa, USA
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Oct 24th 2009 | 7:31 am
#11
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 856
From: York, PA, USA
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
I don't tink it's so much your accent, but more that you're accent is foreign. The Southerners are people that tend to look out for their own first especially. At least that's my experience as a "goddamn Yankee" visiting the South 
but no I would say it's because you don't sound like any sort of American, and you are competing with USCs for the jobs
but no I would say it's because you don't sound like any sort of American, and you are competing with USCs for the jobs
Oct 24th 2009 | 7:46 am
#12
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,210
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
It may well be your accent, normally I don't have a problem but occasionaly I come accross someone who, when I open my mouth, I can just see the shutters come down and I may as well be talking Swahilli.
Then I have to repeat myself, substitute words, draw pictures etc.
If you have one of these as an interviewer good luck!
Then I have to repeat myself, substitute words, draw pictures etc.
If you have one of these as an interviewer good luck!
Oct 24th 2009 | 9:27 am
#13
gurt mint nit?
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,776
From: In my shed
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
I don't have one.
They do.
They do.
Oct 24th 2009 | 1:45 pm
#15
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 921
From: Malibu, CA
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
My accent is pretty mild by Scottish standards, and I live in cosmopolitan California, so I have to say I have no problems at all.
Significantly, I think the Californian ladies approve, which is absolutely fine by me.
Significantly, I think the Californian ladies approve, which is absolutely fine by me.
