Cologne And Interviews: The Do's And Don'ts

It is generally recommended that you do not wear cologne to a job interview. A scent that you find pleasing might be repulsive to someone else. Your interviewer could have asthma, an allergy, or a headache, and you don't want to be remembered as the person with an overwhelming perfume. However, some people become more confident when using a scent or insist on wearing one. In these instances, it is recommended to use a subtle, office-appropriate fragrance.

Allergic reactions and asthma

Perfumes and colognes can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks in some people. According to a 2009 survey on fragrance sensitivity, about 30% of the population of the United States experienced irritation from a perfume. Of these, 19% of participants reported actual health effects from fragrances.

Perfumes and colognes are often made up of over 2,500 chemicals, many of which are unlisted, and can be difficult to avoid. Some common symptoms of fragrance sensitivity include:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Itchy, watery, or red eyes
• Tightness in the chest
• Difficulty breathing
• Worsening asthma symptoms
• Skin irritation, such as contact dermatitis, an itchy, red rash

In more severe cases, exposure to fragrances can lead to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that causes the airways to become inflamed and close up.

If you know that you have asthma or fragrance sensitivities, it is recommended to avoid wearing perfumes or colognes to a job interview. This is because the interviewer may have asthma or allergies, and your fragrance could negatively impact their health and leave a bad impression.

However, if wearing a fragrance makes you feel more confident, it is generally advised to apply only a small amount, such as one spritz on the back of your ear, to minimise the scent.

Additionally, if you have asthma or fragrance sensitivities, it is important to be mindful of the possibility that others may have the same condition. Therefore, it is considerate to avoid wearing strong fragrances to job interviews, as you never know how the interviewer may react.

First impressions

Wearing cologne to an interview is generally not recommended, as it can be considered a distraction or even a hindrance to your candidacy. Some interviewers may view it as a sign of over-eagerness to please or a lack of awareness of professional norms. Additionally, your choice of fragrance may not be pleasing to the interviewer, and you could end up giving them a headache or triggering an allergic reaction. The interviewer will be stuck in a room with you for an hour, and an overwhelming fragrance can be off-putting and distracting, potentially shortening the interview.

However, this does not mean that you should neglect your personal hygiene. It is essential to maintain good grooming habits and present yourself cleanly and professionally. Taking a shower before the interview and wearing clean clothes are more advisable ways to ensure you smell pleasant without risking an overpowering fragrance.

If you decide to wear cologne, it is crucial to choose a subtle and inoffensive scent and apply it sparingly. Light and fresh fragrances are generally considered safer choices for interviews. Applying just one spray or a small amount an hour before the interview can help ensure that the scent is not too strong.

Ultimately, the decision to wear cologne or not depends on your judgment and the specific context of the interview. If you are unsure, it may be better to err on the side of caution and forgo the fragrance altogether. Remember, the goal is to make a positive and memorable impression with your skills, qualifications, and personality, not solely through your choice of fragrance.

Emotional memories

Smells are powerful triggers of emotional memories. The scent of cologne worn for an interview could evoke strong emotions and memories, both positive and negative, years later.

The sense of smell is unique in its ability to evoke vivid emotional memories. The olfactory bulb, located at the front of the brain, is responsible for processing smells. It has direct connections to the amygdala and hippocampus, regions of the brain intimately linked to emotion and memory. This close physical connection may explain why certain scents can instantly transport us back in time and evoke strong feelings.

The impact of scent on memory was demonstrated in a 2004 study by Dr. Rachel Herz at Brown University. The study found that participants showed increased brain activity when exposed to a perfume associated with positive memories compared to an unfamiliar scent. Clinical case studies have also linked smells to strong negative emotions, a connection that can contribute to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Childhood is a particularly potent time for forming these emotional scent memories, as it is when we first encounter most new smells. The scent of a new book, for example, may evoke memories of late-night reading as a child, complete with the soft fabric of a favourite armchair and the quiet of a sleeping house.

The sense of smell is so powerful that businesses have long sought to harness it for branding and marketing purposes. Scent branding, or "olfactive branding," aims to create memorable connections between brands and consumers through scent. For example, Nike's signature scent is inspired by the smell of a rubber basketball sneaker on the court and a soccer cleat in the grass.

The sense of smell is a powerful tool for evoking emotional memories, and a subtle spray of cologne has the potential to become intertwined with the memories and emotions of an important event, such as an interview.

No scent policies

While some people believe that wearing cologne to a job interview can increase confidence and make a good impression, others argue that it is a big no-no. Many progressive employers have a no-scent policy in the workplace, so it is a good idea to be aware of current practices and avoid wearing cologne to an interview.

A no-scent policy is a workplace policy that aims to provide a scent-free environment for all workers and visitors. This is due to the health issues that can arise from exposure to scented products, such as dizziness, light-headedness, upper respiratory symptoms, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms can vary in severity, but for some people, exposure to scented products can be incapacitating.

In addition, fragrance sensitivity can cause allergic reactions or irritation in some individuals, resulting in symptoms such as breathing difficulties, headaches, nausea, skin irritations, and limitations in memory and concentration. A no-scent policy helps to accommodate employees with fragrance sensitivity and improve overall workplace air quality.

When implementing a no-scent policy, it is important to involve key stakeholders, such as health and safety committees, unions, and management. The policy should be clearly communicated to all workers and visitors, with signs posted near entrances and on company materials. It is also crucial to address any concerns openly and honestly, reinforcing that the policy is implemented to address medical concerns.

Overall, a no-scent policy is an important step towards creating a healthier and more inclusive workplace, accommodating employees with fragrance sensitivity, and improving indoor air quality.

Overuse

Even if the interviewer does not have any scent sensitivities, they may still dislike your cologne. Scents are strongly linked to emotional memories, so your cologne may evoke a negative memory for the interviewer and damage your candidacy.

Additionally, wearing cologne to an interview may give the impression that you are trying too hard to please. It is generally recommended that candidates focus on their qualifications and potential rather than trying to stand out through their choice of fragrance.

To avoid these potential issues, it is advisable to avoid wearing cologne to job interviews altogether. If you do choose to wear cologne, be sure to apply it sparingly and choose a subtle, inoffensive scent.

Frequently asked questions