Question

You are a few years out of respiratory therapy school and are working at a local hospital specializing in gerontology. It’s a great place to work with room for advancement and the ability to be active in many areas of the hospital that interest you. The hospital is rapidly growing and your manager mentions the need to hire someone to work in a new program for community outreach and asks if you might know someone. You immediately think of your friend Bob. He minored in Marketing Communication and always had an outgoing and friendly demeanor. He’s been working for a non-profit organization focusing on social media marketing. You reach out to Bob and pass on his resume to your boss.

When Bob shows up for the interview, you are a bit unsettled and shocked. You had mentioned to him that the hospital environment is traditional and conservative, with professional attire as the norm. You also informed him the job would be interacting with an aging population—potential and existing clients, families, and hospital administrators. Bob arrives wearing a suit and tie but he also has a series of facial adornments including a nose ring, eyebrow ring, and very large ear gauges.

You are worried that your boss will think you have wasted her time with a candidate who clearly is less serious about this important role for the hospital. You are angry with Bob.

Question for discussion:

1. Why might Bob have failed to consider the meaning of “conservative and professional attire”?

2. If you could go back in time and start the situation over, would you be more specific with Bob? If so, what more could you have done to prepare him? Or would you now choose not to recommend him at all?

3. What could Bob have done in advance of the interview to determine if his personal adornment would be of significance?

4. What else might you do in this situation?