Fragrances and First Impressions

A sure-fire way to make a bad first impression in face-to-face networking or in-person interviewing is to offend the olfactory senses of the person you are meeting for the first time.

What I am referring to is having too strong of a scent from the cologne/perfume that you may wear. Even if you love the fragrance and don’t think that it’s too much, this is one of those situations in which you really need to be considerate of the other person.

I once had a woman come in to interview with me to be a volunteer with the organization I represented. We sat down to start talking, and I noticed her strong scent right away. Given that I am not generally allergic to perfumes, I didn’t think it would be an issue. Within 5-10 minutes, the vapors were so strong that my eyes were burning. She was a nice enough person, but it was all I could do to keep from running to the restroom to put some dampened towels over my eyes.

Except for the perfume issues, the interview went well and everything checked out with her, so we accepted her application as a volunteer. However, I also took a moment to talk with her about not wearing her perfume when working with a client because of unknown allergy issues the client may have.

Here is an interesting article that talks about the proper application of various fragrances.

If you are not sure how much to bring it down, don’t wear any at all. Better to have the person you are meeting at the interview or networking event remember you for your enthusiasm and great ideas than your overpowering scent.

What experiences have you had on either side of the scent issue?

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Smelled something bad courtesy of N8tr0n

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Kym Marsh and Jamie Lomas Holiday in Disneyland Paris With Children David, Emily and Billy

Actress Kym Marsh and fiance Jamie Lomas appear in this week’s OK! whilst on holiday in Disneyland Paris with Kym’s daughter Emily May, 12,(she is also mum to David Ryan, 14 — who was present but didn’t take part in the shoot.) and Jamie’s son Billy, 4. 2009 was a very difficult year for the pair as their son Archie Jay was born 18 weeks premature and sadly passed away moments after his birth. Together they talk openly about that difficult year and how they’re coping now.

On 2009:

Jamie: We had one of the toughest years we’ve ever lived through, but at the end of the day, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and we’re stronger now.

To read more of the interview including how Jamie gets on with Emily and Kim’s son David, 14 (who chose not to be photographed) and if they’d like to try for another child click

On how they’re coping now:

Kym: The thing is, Jamie and I have other children who we have to try and be there for, and it has been really difficult, but we’ll keep soldiering on.

J: We had a party on New Year’s Eve, because we really wanted to see the back of 2009 and start 2010 on a big high.

K: Sometimes you hear about things that happen to other people and you think, how do they cope? And then it happens to you, and it is hard. You start to lose faith in anything good. But you just have to keep going.

On if they’ll try for another child:

K: I think we will try again when the time is right, when I’m feeling a bit braver. We have to be prepared for the whole thing and any complications that could happen. It wouldn’t be something we would do just on a whim. I had David early, so that’s two premature babies now. I’ve got to be looked after carefully.

On the documentary Kym did about premature babies a couple of months after losing Archie:

K: I found it very cathartic and I met a lot of people who have been through the same thing. I really wanted to do something to make people aware of what a serious issue it is and how little there is being done about it. I’ve had so many letters from people who want to make donations to Tommy’s, the charity that funds research in to miscarriages, stillbirths and premature babies. When you’ve been through something yourself, it makes all the difference to other people.

On how Kym felt winning Mum of The Year 2009:

K: I was really delighted by that, especially because of the year we’ve had. It was nice because it was voted for by other parents. Just to think that people think you’re doing a good job with your kids is lovely.

On how Jamie gets on with Kym’s children David and Emily:

J: We get on great. I love them to bits.

K: He winds our Emily up something rotton, though. He says she’s very ’spirited’ — which is better than saying she’s a cheeky madam!

J: She’s just like her mum. She’s always singing. She’s going to be a proper little star.

K: She’s doing drama now as well, and she’s ready to go for auditions. I know I’d be a hypocrite if I tried to discourage her. She is really talented, you can see she’s got something special, but it’s scary.

If you would like to know more about Tommy’s — the charity Kym talks about in the interview or to make a donation please visit. www.tommys.org

Source: OK! Magazine, Issue: 707 January 12th 2010. Photos by Edd Watts

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