Research on hiring interviews finds that non-native speakers are sometimes judged differently. This is not about you — it is about the system. Here is how to show your true skills.
Across 27 studies, candidates with a non-standard accent were rated less hireable than candidates with a standard accent — a difference of about half a standard deviation, with the same skills and experience.
The same research found something useful: how strong your accent is did not change the size of the effect. A light accent was rated much like a heavy one. So working to sound native is not the lever. Being easy to follow is — clear structure, steady pace, precise key words — and structured interviews, which score against a fixed list, show less of this effect than open "chemistry" chats.
This is not about your ability. We cannot promise the effect disappears for you — it sits with the interviewer, not with you. What you can control is how clearly your evidence comes across.
Sources: Spence, Hornsey, Stephenson & Imuta (2024), Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 50(3):371–386 — 27 studies, d ≈ 0.47, accentedness not a significant moderator; Maindidze et al. (2025), International Journal of Selection and Assessment — 41 effects, N = 7,596, d = 0.46.
These strategies are backed by research and used by successful multilingual professionals around the world.
Clarity is more important than speed
When you are nervous, you may speak too fast. This makes it harder for the interviewer to understand you. Aim for 130-150 words per minute. Take a breath between sentences. Speaking slowly shows confidence.
Instead of rushing through your answer, pause after each main point. Pauses give the interviewer time to follow you, and they give you time to pick the right word. We cannot tell you what they will think — but a rushed answer is harder to follow than a paused one.
Tell the interviewer what is coming
Start your answer by saying how you will structure it. This helps the interviewer follow your thinking. It also gives you time to organise your thoughts.
"I will answer this in three parts: first, the situation; second, what I did; third, the result."
Numbers sound more credible than words
Structured interview scoring rewards evidence a rater can check. Instead of saying 'a lot of customers', say '150 customers'. A number is something the interviewer can write down.
"We increased revenue by 23%" is much stronger than "We increased revenue significantly."
Asking shows confidence, not weakness
If you do not understand a question, it is completely fine to ask the interviewer to repeat or rephrase it. This is what native speakers do too. It shows you want to give the best answer.
"Could you rephrase that question?" or "Just to make sure I understand — are you asking about...?"
Multilingual people bring unique value
Speaking multiple languages is a real skill. Your accent shows you speak more than one language, which means you understand different cultures, can communicate with more people, and can think in different ways.
"As someone who speaks three languages, I can communicate with our Spanish-speaking clients directly."
Our practice mode includes special bias-proofing features. When you practise, we check if your answers use these 5 strategies. We give you tips to make your answers stronger against bias.
Speaking another language is a superpower, not a weakness. Companies that value diversity want people like you. Your unique perspective is exactly what they need.
Check your interview readiness for free
These pages describe what interviewers commonly look for. They cannot tell you what a specific interviewer decided, and nothing here guarantees an interview, an offer or a visa. Practising is preparation — it shows you what to fix next.