A multimodal analysis of foreign national origin membership categories in Belgian blue collar job interviews with first generation immigrants

Abstract

ABSTRACT We investigate the use of foreign national origin membership categories in four authentic, Dutch-spoken job interviews with first generation immigrants in Belgium applying for blue collar jobs. We draw on Membership Categorization Analysis and use a multimodal, micro-oriented approach. As such, we aim to uncover the many, often subtle, verbal and non-verbal ways in which these national origin categories are negotiated interactionally. Our findings indicate that because of these categorization mechanisms, the gatekeeping-process of job interviews becomes an even more challenging hurdle for candidates with a migration background especially when they have to compete with candidates with Belgian roots.