Southern Accent Turn-off to NYC Firms? Forum

[Perseus_I]

Someone from Texas, who goes to UT Law, and speaks with what others describe as a "Texas accent." Could this present a barrier in screeners or callbacks at NYC firms?

I know they don't like Dubya out there.

[Anonymous User]

I think it could, yes, but what can you do?

[anon168]

Someone from Texas, who goes to UT Law, and speaks with what others describe as a "Texas accent." Could this present a barrier in screeners or callbacks at NYC firms?

I know they don't like Dubya out there.

It could be a turnoff not just to NYC firms, but alot of markets (DC, SF, LA, Miami, Chicago, etc.)

[5ky]

Perseus, you gotta relax, man. I say this seriously, you need to try to take a day or two off from all this. I know you're stressed out, but you have to recharge your batteries.

[thesealocust]

What is this I don't even

[TTH]

If you draw a female or gay male interviewer, just be sure you let them know that what they say about everything being bigger in Texas is absolutely true. You should be fine.

[Anonymous User]

In all honesty, my southern accent combined with my interview responses has given me the impression that firms outside of the south are concerned about fit and are more likely to think that I am a flight risk. In one interview, a partner came right out and made a joke about the way I pronounced a certain word (keep in mind that the context of the conversation was around the topic for which I had written a judicial opinion for a federal judge, so people think you sound stupid even in the context of good work product).

[TTH]

In all honesty, my southern accent combined with my interview responses has given me the impression that firms outside of the south are concerned about fit and are more likely to think that I am a flight risk. In one interview, a partner came right out and made a joke about the way I pronounced a certain word (keep in mind that the context of the conversation was around the topic for which I had written a judicial opinion for a federal judge, so people think you sound stupid even in the context of good work product).

Sucks dude. When I moved from a twangy part of the country to a non-twang area, I dealt with a lot of the same shit. I had a job already at the time, so the stakes were a little different, but it always annoyed the hell out of me when people assumed they were more intelligent than me because of my accent.

[wiseowl]

The Southern pastiche is associated with great litigators throughout history.

Bless your heart.