Fake accents don't get you jobs

Updated on: Monday, October 10, 2011

“The accent of one's birthplace remains in the mind and in the heart as in one's speech” -

François de la Rochefoucauld

Job seekers in the IT industry invariably put on a fake accent under the impression that it is going to impress the job givers.

The numerous training institutes inculcating soft skills also irrationally inject this idea of putting on American accent will boost the chances in the interview. But don't fall in this trap as accent will not add marks but how effectively you put across the point in reasonably good English, and in your own style.

“It's a wrong notion that companies look for an accent while judging the candidate,” says Ramakrishna Prasad, who heads the Hiring Division at Synchroserve Global Solutions. Neither the MNCs nor the Indian companies are interested in accents whether it is in the IT sector or the ITes sector. “Any accent is fine as long as students have stuff,” Mr. Prasad says.

Though this practice of putting on accent is prevalent it ITes sector there is absolutely no need for it in the IT sector where nature of work is totally different. Even in the ITes sector there is no justification as job demands change with every client. Companies have clients across the world and they speak in different accents. If you are good with your American accent it doesn't make any difference to a European or an Australian customer.

But Mr. Prasad, who trains engineering students in personality development and other skills, says speaking in reasonably good English is a major factor in the interviews because the entire business activity is dependent on communicating in English, whether it is writing or speaking. Even if majority employees don't directly speak with the customers on daily basis most of them have to interact through emails where their writing skills are tested.

How does one improve those skills? Mr. Prasad offers some simple techniques. Read and re-read in whatever interests you – films, politics or general news. But reading an essay or an editorial in a newspaper gives you a perspective on certain issues apart from helping improve your English.

Later, just write a small piece on what you have understood.

Make it a habit.

That English is hard to learn is just a mind block, reveals Mr. Prasad. “Learn five words every day and they can be simple words. Students can do it while travelling to their college or during lunch break while conversing with their friends. Carrying a pocket thesaurus helps and is better than carrying a comb.”

With regard to improving your speaking skills, Mr. Prasad feels the mirror can be the best friend.

“Stand in front of a mirror and talk. Let your friend observe you. Videograph your speech in a mobile and watch it. It helps you in understanding your faults and plugging them. A group of friends joining in such exercise can work wonders,” says Mr. Prasad, who has been in the HR industry for over a decade with major companies.

“The secret is not getting intimidated by your self.”

Fake accents don't get you jobs

More Education news