Thursday, March 19, 2015

A Non-Native English Speaker Jobseeker



You will come from an agency-background, or have worked in a consultancy capacity, therefore used to working on more than one brand/project at a time - Check
You will be at Senior Account Manager level, able to work autonomously and with the gravitas to instil confidence in the clients you work with - Check
You will have a well-stocked portfolio of written pieces, able to send samples of your work, and be genuinely passionate about writing - Check
Unfortunately only native English speakers will be considered for this role, given the amount of English writing that is involved - a) You are kidding me! b) I want to respond to this. Actually no, I want to react to this and I did. 

Dear Concerned at xxx xxx xxxx xxxx Agency,

My name is Ancy Alexander and I am a communications professional with over nine years of experience in Dubai.

This is not an application for the PR Manager role advertised on xxx xxx jobs board, but I am forced to express my concern about the tone of disdain in the sentence 'Unfortunately only native English speakers will be considered for this role, given the amount of English writing that is involved.'

It is understandable that the agency specifically requires a native English speaker; however, this sentence implies that a non-native English speaker lacks the aptitude to handle the English language. This is either a severe developed world ignorance or arrogance both ill befitting the multi-cultural pulse of Dubai or any other cosmopolitan city in today's world.

The agency had the option of indicating that only native English speakers will be considered for this role. Assuming that other nationalities do not know how to write or speak as well as a native-English speaker is quite distasteful especially in the 21st century.

This letter might not be a professionally genius step for my career here, but as an expat born and raised in Dubai embracing cultures and people from around the world this job post was not the most pleasant read. English has travelled and is used extensively as well as efficiently way beyond the land of native-English speakers.

Wish you a pleasant day and weekend ahead.

Regards,
Ancy Alexander


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