THE HR CHALLENGE: “YOU SMELL NICE BY A FAMILIAR STRANGER”.

The Nigeria twitter space has been agog all week from a single tweet by an HR Lady who expressed an encounter she found uncomfortable during an interview. The candidate at the reported interview had complimented the HR Lady (Interviewer) with these parting words “You Smell Nice”.

I sincerely appreciate the barrage of discourse that this simple tweet has generated in Nigeria, it brings to fore some fundamental issues that needs to be talked about and improved upon in human development at the workplace. Both parties (Interviewer and interviewer) erred on the side of caution, without giving thought to the consequences of their actions or how the receiver would react and interpret it.

What we must know is that language and the choice of it, plays a significant role in communications. It is often advised to keep communication simple to avoid complexities, vagueness, and misinterpretation. Quite often the word “Smell” is used to connote negative expressions, although “Smell” itself is a benign word that could be used to express positive or negative expressions. Whatever be the politeness intended by the candidate (Interviewee), it did not translate as such to the HR Lady (Interviewer). Clearly, she interpreted the compliment to be negative, maybe patronizing and cheap coming from a candidate in a formal setting. We must pay attention to verbal and non-verbal cues during communication, if the candidate had done that, he would have observed that the HR Lady is likely not opened to such compliments. In conversations, compliments should not be used loosely, what you may consider a compliment could be an offense to the other party. You shouldn’t insist on a compliment, when other parties are opposed to it.

THE QUESTION ON MOST LIPS IS “WAS A CANDIDATE WRONG IN PAYING A PLEASANT COMPLIMENT TO THE HR LADY?”

Most candidates may have lost employment opportunities due to lack of behavioral competences and emotional intelligence. Why did he have to say “You smell nice?” couldn’t he have just smiled and say thank you at the end of the interview session. We must understand that the world has evolved and a lot of factors has cropped up as issues that must be treated with a lot of sensitivity. With diversity in the workplace, we must consider factors such as Culture, Religion, Gender, Race, and certain lifestyle orientation that defines others. So when a young man, who I guess is seeking a junior role than the interviewer (HR Lady) makes a compliment of endearment …thus creating room for misinterpretation. In certain cultures and maybe religion, such compliment especially to a married woman is frowned upon.

On the flip side, the candidate may have acted out of anxiety or being nervous; and just blurted out what he thought was a good compliment. He may have acted in appreciation to the HR Lady for the opportunity to sit and discuss his suitability for the role. However, he could have avoided it. Better still, say something like “That’s a nice scent", or mention the name of the perfume since it seems he maybe an expert on that ... "The Armani fragance is good on you".

NOW, UNTO THE HR LADY?

It is very unprofessional to have attacked the candidate in such manner, saying things like “That is very rude” is quite uncalled for. Typically, the HR Lady should have smiled and allow the candidate to be on his way. During the post interview feedback, she would have taken the opportunity to say “Your comment saying You Smell Nice was quite unnecessary, and I found it offensive. I will advise you avoid the use of such compliments at future interviews or in the workplace”. The HR Lady should take down her tweet and avoid reacting to tweets calling her out for her actions, clearly you can tell she is a combative one. This is neither good for her nor the organization she represents.

HR PRACTITIONERS AND PROFESSIONALS NEED FURTHER ORIENTATION

Whilst the role of HR professionals is not an easy task, we must continuously improve ourselves to become strategic business partners and brand ambassadors. The focal point of HR is not to be the police of the organization and act hostile to customers. HR is a service function, you provide services to Management, Current and Potential employees, Internal & External Stakeholders,etc.  The candidate is a customer to the HR Lady, whilst the HR lady is the sales person for the organization! Recruitment is not about weeding out unqualified candidates, it is about projecting the company as the best place to work so that top talents scramble to join the organization. It is rude and condescending to blurt out at a candidate during an interview, or make potential employees feel worthless just because they have shown interest to be part of your organization. It is a recruiters nightmare to place an advert and get very low response, these happens quite often. To get people apply and express interest in your company shows good brand mileage.

HR Professionals must depart from the traditional way of thinking where they see themselves as favor givers to current and potential employees. We must see ourselves as strategic business partners and brand ambassadors, it is the role of HR to make everyone in the organization feel comfortable and appreciated, so that they can remain motivated, happy and productive. Organizations should pay attention in creating the right culture that supports their values and goals, an environment where respect for others exists and people work together as a team.

Orientation, training and development for HR Professionals should focus on becoming strategic business partners, managing diversity and corporate branding (from a people’s perspective) for the business. My advice to future candidates….Keep communication simple, apply caution, and improve your employability skills.

Henrietta writes from Abuja.....this piece reflects her personal thoughts.