First of all, let me apologize to all of you who wrote to us wondering what happened to our blogging activity. We are back and appreciate you following us as we commit to blogging more actively!
Now onto a new topic that caught my eye and compelled me to write about it! I came across an article addressing recruiters and hiring managers with tips on interviewing culturally diverse candidates (http://hiring.monster.ca/hr/hr-best-practices/recruiting-hiring-advice/screening-job-candidates/interviewing-culturally-diverse-candidates-canada.aspx ).
The article suggests that ever so often hiring managers miss out on great candidates by misunderstanding their cultural differences. A candidate avoids looking you in the eye, has a hard time cracking a smile or otherwise emoting, smells funky and stands too close to you? No problem, says Monster.ca. Give them a chance! They might be German, Indian, Brazilian, Chinese, or any other nationality, and what seems odd to you is perfectly common in their home country.
Well, let`s get real for a second. We are not in these candidates` home country. In a perfect world, we would all take the time to learn and appreciate one another`s backgrounds, peculiarities and odd quirks. We would hold hands and be one happy family. In the real world, however, we do not have such time and do need to think of an effect a new hire has on the existing workforce. I firmly believe that it is the candidate`s responsibility to get acquainted with the local customs and understand what is expected in an interview or a job setting. As a hiring manager, how can I be sure that a candidate who did not take the time to do his or her homework will do so once hired?
The web-site`s advice is to coach new employees in order to help them fit in. Well, who is to say that: a) they will be thrilled to take the advice on board and b) they will not call Commission des Normes du Travail to file a discrimination complaint?
Look, I do understand the multicultural nature of the local workforce and I truly believe that we are richer for it. I also think that the ever growing political correctness is charming and endearing, but only to an extent. Do you know the saying: “When in Rome, do as the Romans”? Well, that is something I can agree with.
I totally agree with you. There is a limit to how much we can overlook.
ReplyDeleteWhen people do not smile or do not look me in the eye, it makes me feel uncomfortable if it is a regular occurance.
I understand where the behavior is coming from culturally, and when I'm in a position to tell a job seeker what works and what doesn't, I most certainly do. However, it is up to the them to decide if they want to make the effort to embrace change and create a new way of being.....in the hopes of landing that elusive job.
L
Hello, this is Mark Swartz, Monster.ca National Career Coach. What an interesting series of posts.
ReplyDeleteI would very much like to thank ProNexia for referring to Monster.ca's extensive archive of HR and Employer Advice (http://hiring.monster.ca/hr/hr-best-practices.aspx).
Each article is written and reviewed by experienced professionals. This ensures that content is of the highest caliber.
Regarding the article on Interviewing Culturally Diverse Candidates, it begins as follows:
"Picture your ideal candidates. They arrive for the interview on time and smartly dressed to project a professional image. Their handshakes are firm, their smiles bright, and they stand tall and speak with confidence. They make such a great first impression that you feel like hiring them on the spot."
Perhaps it truly would be ideal if life were that easy for everyone involved.
Or would it?
I suspect that our workplaces would become rather undifferentiated. Imagine if everyone you hired looked exactly alike, spoke alike, thought alike, and had been raised in the same circumstances.
Where then would new ideas and ways of doing things come from?
Monster.ca is proud to support diversity in all its forms. It is understood that the ideal candidate doesn't always conform precisely to narrowly defined parameters.
By making allowance for a spectrum of differences, everyone really is the richer for it.
Sincerely,
Mark Swartz - CareerActivist.com
Monster.ca National Career Coach
@ Mark Swartz: thank you for visiting the blog! We hope that you remain a frequent visitor.
ReplyDeleteI am, however, surprised too see how you have spinned the message in our post.
"Imagine if everyone you hired looked exactly alike, spoke alike, thought alike, and had been raised in the same circumstances."
What did the advice on Monster.ca or this post have to do with one's looks, speech or thinking process? Both addressed one's behaviour in an interview setting, rather than the characteristics you just outlined.
Ironically, we have another post on how to dress in an interview setting. There we refer to Monster.ca's highly specific advice on how a candidate must dress. Examples include very specific colours that are allowed in terms of clothing, shoes and even a briefcase. Not much room for a "spectrum of differences", now is there?
Mark, a workforce is clearly richer with heterogenous backgrounds of its employees. The point remains, however, that learning basic etiquette is a must for all of us.
I do believe the article being discussed was about hiring managers and candidates not getting hired, due to cultural differences not being understood. I was not commenting on people in the workplace.
ReplyDeleteSo to explain further on the point of hiring and the interview process:
When I meet a Japanese student for example, there are certain cultural differences that I adore. For instance, I bow to my Japanese student when we finish our meeting; I adore trying new ways of being.
I also allow them to take a peek into Canadian Business culture when I am coaching them and transfer knowledge about what we Canadians do. It is my job and I want them to be prepared for what might happen and how to try to look people in the eyes and shake their hands. What kind of coach would I be, if I just let them go, and their interviewer has not been educated in Japanese culture? I believe it would be a short meeting.
I mention to my students that trying to look your interviewer in the eyes means you are interested and listening. I express to them that I understand that in their business culture it is a sign of respect to avoid eye contact, but not here. We usually have a good discussion as I try to understand their culture and them mine. It is always a learning experience and I am very open to learning. It is however, up to the student if they want to try it out a new behavior and take a chance to find out what it feels like.
Not everyone is open in Canada when you go for an interview. Not everyone is as open as I am to embrace cultural differences, and trying them out, such as bowing as a greeting. I prepare my students for the up and coming interview and what may or may not happen.
It's all about learning to accept everyone's differences......including how different WE are from other individuals from other countries. For 3 years I saw international students come to the school I worked at and devourer courses in Canadian Business Culture....they wanted to know how we "did it". They did not want to come to Canada just to do exactly how they did it in their country. They wanted to learn about us and would write how surprising we Canadian were and how much they enjoy learning about us.
Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to finding a job in Canada. We should all be open and understanding and explain to each other our different cultures....that is the only way we will ever accept each other and get along. But let's first get these people a job and teach them how to do it!
A company’s culture is already set up, before any new employee comes for an interview. If you don't look like you will fit (Canadians included) you will NOT get the job. I like a little spicy cultural difference, but does the dude who has the job at his company?