BC HRMA Cultural Diversity workshop - HR Professionals discuss culture shock with a Latin American focus
The BCHRMA is creating an Employer Guide to provide information to help HR managers understand the culture specific work norms and communication behaviours of a variety of different ethnic groups. The focus group for Latin America was everything one would expect: fun, full of information and loud.
Prior to arriving, we were asked to prepare the answers to several questions including describing culture shock experiences while interviewing candidates. Many of my extremely qualified focus group colleagues discussed the challenges that they had in the Canadian interview.
After interviewing Mexican candidates for several years in the Hospitality industry, I have been able to collect lots of material. My advise to candidates is to take “foreign” out of the interview. A candidate in a new culture will face a steep learning curve. As with learning anything new, one begins with observation. Observe the professional atmosphere of your new culture:
- Use clothing that is typical. Pay special attention to colour, texture and length of clothes and jewelry
- Keep your hand movements and gestures to a minimum. Never assume that the gestures in your culture are universal.
- Pay attention to the way people express themselves: Are they direct and concise? Are they indirect and familiar?
- Identify the norms of personal space
If you can subdue your cultural identity while you are being interviewed, you will have a better chance of being heard. Once you have a job and get to know your colleagues, they will be interested in knowing what makes you special.
Kimberley McFarland
kmcfarland@vivarecruitment.com
Tags: Cultural Diversity, Latin America