Ever pressed 2 for French or Spanish to dodge an accent? This episode exposes the not-so-subtle bias behind “accent shopping” in customer service calls. From real-life contact center stories to AI now being used to mask employee accents as digital whitewashing, we dive deep into the uncomfortable truth: It’s not always about comprehension—it’s about who sounds “acceptable.”

So here’s how it goes…

You call a contact center. You don’t press 1 for English—because let’s be honest, you don’t want to get ‘Raj from Bangalore’ or ‘Mei from Manila.’

Nope. You press 2 for French… or Spanish.

Then go, ‘Oops! Meant English!’—knowing that bilingual reps are usually North American-born.

Welcome to Accent Shopping.

It’s not in the handbook, but it’s alive and thriving in every customer service line across North America.

And now?

Companies are using AI to MASK employee accents.

Yes. We’ve gone that far to please a customer.

So I gotta ask:

What will customers complain about now? That the AI sounded too ‘neutral’?

Let’s dive in.”

🎧 Listen as we unpack:

• Why customers game language menus to avoid international voices

• How AI is erasing human identity for “neutral” North American speech

• What counts as a “Canadian,” "American" or “professional” accent

• Real examples of bias in call transfers—and who gets deemed “Canadian enough”

Whether you’ve ever been judged for your voice or caught yourself preferring certain accents, this one’s got some real talk you need to hear.

Free Career Resources: https://www.teachndo.com/resources

• Diaspora's Career Challenge Podcast Episodes: teachndo.com/podcastepisodes

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  Sweta Regmi - https://www.teachndo.com/speaker

In this episode of Diaspora's Career Challenges, we tackle the hidden job market stats and break down why it’s not actually hidden—it’s just exclusive. If you’re an immigrant, newcomer, or someone without an Ivy League connection, you’ll want to hear this. We dive into why networking is often more about privilege than merit, and what strategies actually work to land the job you deserve. Tune in for the truth on navigating today’s job market and getting noticed in a system that’s stacked against you.

The Hidden Job Market Exposed: Why It Was Never Meant for You

“80% of jobs are hidden.” Sounds great, right? But here’s the truth: the hidden job market isn’t hidden—it’s exclusive. If you’re an immigrant, newcomer, or anyone without an Ivy League bestie, guess what? You’re not on the guest list. That’s the reality.

While gurus, networking coaches, and LinkedIn influencers preach about tapping into the “hidden market,” here’s the real deal: 500,000+ job vacancies in Canada in 2025. So, why are we pushing people to chase these so-called hidden opportunities when there’s a stocked pond right in front of them?

Let’s talk about the biases that fuel the so-called hidden market:

• People hire people who look like them.

• People hire people who went to the same schools.

• People hire people they golf with.

That’s not networking. That’s bias.

The Biases Keeping the Job Market ‘Hidden’

Let’s just call it what it is:

🚨 Affinity Bias – Hiring people similar to you.

🚨 Confirmation Bias – Seeing an immigrant name and assuming they won’t “fit.”

🚨 Halo Effect – Assuming a Harvard grad must be the smartest person in the room.

🚨 Opportunity Hoarding – Keeping jobs in exclusive circles.

🚨 Privilege Bias – If you have to network to survive, was the system ever really merit-based?

I’ve worked at top companies, and I can’t imagine not posting jobs. Hiring isn’t random—there’s a system behind it. But yes, some jobs aren’t posted:

• Small businesses with no HR team hire based on word-of-mouth.

• Executive search firms recruit for C-suite roles confidentially.

• Companies pulling from networks before jobs even go live.

But is that 80% of all hiring? No. That’s an outdated myth recycled over and over.

Here’s what’s real:

• Strategic personal branding – Make it impossible to ignore you.

• Targeted job applications – Yes, they work if done right.

• Informational interviews – The right kind, not just “pick your brain” sessions.

• Storytelling on LinkedIn – So hiring managers find you.

The truth is, the so-called “hidden job market” favors privilege, not merit. So when people tell newcomers, “Just network harder,” we need to question what that really means.

What works instead? Focus on strategies that you control—personal branding, applying strategically, building real professional relationships, and ensuring that you are seen. Stop chasing shadows and focus on what’s tangible.

Free Career Resources: https://www.teachndo.com/resources

• Diaspora's Career Challenge Podcast Episodes: teachndo.com/podcastepisodes

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  Sweta Regmi - https://www.teachndo.com/speaker

In this episode of Diaspora 's Career Challenges, Sweta Regmi explores how language – specifically English – shapes our professional lives and impacts career success, especially for immigrants. Language biases, particularly in ESL, profoundly affect how people perceive others’ intelligence, capabilities, and even employability. But why does this happen? And how does the way we speak influence our career growth?

Why is it that when non-native speakers of English try their best, they’re often met with condescension, but when a native English speaker attempts another language, they’re praised for their effort?

In this insightful episode, we discuss:

• Language Bias in the Hiring: How accent discrimination affects immigrant job seekers and employees, and the implicit biases that hinder career progress.

• The Power of English Proficiency: Why non-native English speakers are often judged unfairly, and the impact of this on self-esteem and career advancement.

• The Science Behind Language Biases: How our brains are wired to favor certain accents over others, and how this influences hiring decisions and professional relationships.

• Overcoming Language Bias in Careers: Strategies to navigate bias in the workplace, leveraging your unique language skills, and turning accent challenges into career advantages.

• Cultural Influence on Communication: How the globalization of English affects career success for immigrants and minorities, and how cultural differences play a role in workplace dynamics.

We’ll take a deep look at:

• The stereotyping of non-native speakers and how their language proficiency is often unfairly questioned.

• The double standards in how accents are perceived, especially when comparing South Asian accents to European ones.

• My personal story of navigating language bias as an immigrant who changed the way I speak without even trying.

• The role of AI in perpetuating language bias and how even technology is skewed against non-native speakers.

• The unwritten rules of what “correct” English sounds like, and how they often exclude those who speak it differently.

Whether you’re someone who speaks multiple languages or someone who has faced judgment based on your accent, this episode is for you. It’s time to break free from the biases tied to language and accent.

This episode is essential for anyone navigating the challenges of language barriers, accent discrimination, or working in environments where English is the dominant language. Whether you’re an immigrant job seeker or a professional working in an English-speaking country, this episode provides critical insights to help you break free from language-based bias and thrive in your career.

Whether you’re someone who speaks multiple languages or someone who has faced judgment based on your accent, this episode is for you. It’s time to break free from the biases tied to language and accent.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand how English language bias affects your career opportunities

• Learn how to overcome accent discrimination in professional settings

• Gain strategies to embrace your multilingual skills and turn them into career assets

• Discover how cultural and language biases shape hiring decisions and workplace interactions

Free Career Resources: https://www.teachndo.com/resources

• Diaspora's Career Challenge Podcast Episodes: teachndo.com/podcastepisodes

  Book me to speak

  Sweta Regmi - https://www.teachndo.com/speaker