HR and professional experts say that there is no need for Filipino applicants to try other accents when in job interviews, as many employers prefer the Pinoy twang due to its neutral sound.
In The Filipino Times’ live streaming on Facebook titled ‘TFT Usapang OFW: Oplan Hanap Trabaho sa UAE’, esteemed experts noted the importance of using the English language coherently, more than the accent in which it is conveyed.
“I don’t encourage that [changing your accent], because strength natin ang neutral accent. We are knwn for that because madali siyang maintindihan,” said Dr. Rex Bacarra, the Dean of General Education at the American College of Dubai and The Filipino Times Educator of the Year 2019.
Cristina Calaguian—the founder of Dagaz HR Consultancy and Recruitment Company that helps match employees with potential employers in the region, and The Filipino Times Awards 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year finalist—also said that focusing too much on your accent can lead to more mistakes while speakin in English.
READ ALSO: ROAD TO DREAM JOB: Experts say these sectors are actively hiring now in the UAE amid COVID-19
“If you try changing your accent, na-conscious ka pa, nakalimutan mo na sasabihin mo kasi iniisip mo accent,” she said.
Bacarra noted that what is important for employers is that applicants can communicate effectively. He also said that Filipino applicants have to instead just learn how to speak the language fluently, and in the accent they are comfortable in.
“Kung gusto mong matuto ng grammar, then there is information online. Equip yourself because there are things you can;t run away from like English language,” he said.
SEE ALSO: Experts tackle importance of keywords in online job applications
WATCH THE ENTIRE WEBINAR SESSION HERE:
