Note: I do have a question at the bottom, so please read on.
I've been helping with college recruiting on two different campuses on behalf of my company for 4 years now, and this never ceases to amaze me. In that time, I've met maybe one or two candidates that are, judging solely on my own perception, Caucasian, and have bad breath. Amazingly, most of these students are intelligent enough to brush their teeth, use mouthwash, or eat a breath mint before talking to a prospective employer.
However, without fail, I have at least 2 or 3 international students (usually of Indian or Asian descent) at EVERY career fair whose breath is so unbearable I don't recommend them for that reason alone. And no, I don't think that's unfair. If I were on their team, I wouldn't want to work with that individual.
I know this will be seen as insensitive by some, but this is an observation I've shared with those I recruit with, and all agree this isn't just my perception.
My question is, should I tell these students about this? I'm inherently afraid of lawsuits, and even my own HR reps don't recommend saying anything, but I feel bad for people that might not have any idea their breath reeks to those they're talking to. Suggestions?
I've been helping with college recruiting on two different campuses on behalf of my company for 4 years now, and this never ceases to amaze me. In that time, I've met maybe one or two candidates that are, judging solely on my own perception, Caucasian, and have bad breath. Amazingly, most of these students are intelligent enough to brush their teeth, use mouthwash, or eat a breath mint before talking to a prospective employer.
However, without fail, I have at least 2 or 3 international students (usually of Indian or Asian descent) at EVERY career fair whose breath is so unbearable I don't recommend them for that reason alone. And no, I don't think that's unfair. If I were on their team, I wouldn't want to work with that individual.
I know this will be seen as insensitive by some, but this is an observation I've shared with those I recruit with, and all agree this isn't just my perception.
My question is, should I tell these students about this? I'm inherently afraid of lawsuits, and even my own HR reps don't recommend saying anything, but I feel bad for people that might not have any idea their breath reeks to those they're talking to. Suggestions?
) partly because he was stinking and this candidate would be working out of her office. Of course, he wasn't a great match for the position to begin with, but she said the stink didn't help out any. That said, most Westerners use perfumes, colognes, etc., whereas most Indians don't. And unfortunately, it shows. I don't think it is an ethnic issue or related to skin color - it's just a habit FOBs are not accustomed to yet. I suppose you could subtly hint that personal appearance such as neatly pressed clothes, combed down hair, deodorant, after-shave, mouthwash, etc., would help present themselves better. That way you are not singling out bad-breath and you are giving them a useful tip. However, I don't think the problem is in brushing their teeth - they probably just don't use mouthwash or brush out their tongues.
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