[Merged] Does physical appearance play a vital role when looking for a job?

[spark]

"Beauty is only skin deep"

Is it really? But why do a lot of companies tend to be biased towards the more beautiful applicants? Talent and skills, sometimes, aren't necessarily a guarantee that you'd land your dream job. There just are some factors, although not in anyway relevant to how well you can perform your job, that seem to affect your chances of being hired, factors like physical beauty or aesthetic imperfection.

Case in point: I have an aunt who graudated CUM LAUDE from the UST but found herself unable to land a job even years after graduation simply because some people from the Recruitment dept. of companies she applied to didn't find her that pleasant to look at. This constant rejection eventually got the better of her, she lost her confidence and the drive to apply for good jobs she is very capable to handle and got herself contented with just having her own sari sari store.

How can some people ignore this kind of talent, having graduated from one of the finest universities in the land (and with latin honors at that), just because of a very shallow reason?! Sure she would be required to face the clients from time to time but are these clients that dumb to see the brilliance behind what some people consider to be a not so pleasant exterior?

Also, i've noticed that those who've got the "looks" from my batch did not really have a hard time getting hired right after graduation. While i'm perfectly aware that being beautiful doesn't equate to being dumb, there just are some circumstances wherein beauty preceeded intelligence and skills as bases for landing a job which i think are utterly disturbing.

Are these remote cases or are they just realities that we should learn to live with?!

[hard_guy00]

absolutely, as in 15% higher gross salaries for males and as much as 25% higher for females. that is, if we are to believe the figures in time magazine.

[cherub_08]

physical appearance is very much important. this not, however, in the sense that those who are handsome or beautiful gets the job but you must "look smart". first impression is important since they do not know anything about you. they are just basing your capabilities on your resume.


:angel:

[jack]

You dont have to look really good but u have to look decent enough for a job. ;)

[makatas]

oo naman..ganyan naman talaga ang society natin eh palaging pabor sa mga magaganda...kahit hindi masyado matatalino eh naangatan pa nila yung mga intellectuals sa kahit saang fields...

lalo na sa trabaho nga kasi naman yung iba tinatanggap nila yung magaganda para meron silang mapagpantasyahan sa office hehehehe....kaya yan ding mga magaganda na yan ang usual victims ng sexual harassment sa workplace di ba?....kung sabagay yung iba naman eh nag eenjoy sa attention at ginagamit pa nila ganda nila to climb the corporate ladder...

[KuyaDanny]

It doesn't matter, if you're working for us. Visit our office and see for yourself how ugly we all are. ;)

It depends on the job. If they're looking for models, flight attendants (maybe), or those bimbos who hang around at car shows, then of course beauty matters.

But there's very little we can do about our beauty, or lack thereof, without having to spend a lot of money. What we can do is to be neat and presentable. Wear clothes that are clean and pressed, shoes that aren't muddy and too worn out. Your future employer might not remember what you wore yesterday, but it'll be harder for him to forget "the guy in the shabby clothing."

[makatas]

what if may apply na dalawangng babae dyan sa inyo...
yung isa maganda at matalino din naman, alam mong she can do the job well

at isa namang pangit pero she can do the job a bit better....


masasabi mo ba na you wouldn't give extra points kay maganda? hindi ba maapektuhan ng ganda nya yung impression mo sa kanya even in a small way na makakadagdag sa possibility na ihire mo sya?

or definite ka na si pangit i hire mo?

[qwerty78]

galing ni makatas! maganda yung tanong niya! bilis KuyaDanny, sagot! curious na ako kung ano ang isasagot mo! :)

[r¢¥ peace!]

don't take it literally..

juzt try be decent when going for an interview.. (no matter *** u really look like!) i think datz it ;)

[KuyaDanny]

You want the truth, makatas? My answer is:

Ewan.

After all these years, we have not had a situation where we had to choose between a "pretty and OK" and a "better but ugly". We have been lucky that in all our selection opportunities, we have found people who are so outstanding that their appearance really did not matter. So I have to admit that I have no experience with this kind of situation, and I could have a problem if this ever happened to me.

[aticus]

It also depends on the nature of the work. I think you'll have to accept that people who are hiring, say, stewardesses, would hire the prettier one. I'm not saying it's entirely fair, but you have to understand the mentality of the employers. They need to hire stewardesses not just who are capable of handling the procedures necessary in the running of a plane, but also who can seem more pleasant and more pleasant to look at. If hiring the prettier one helps build more business, then they are well within their rights to hire her.

That said, however, I think what people have to look at to determine fairness or unfairness is the MOTIVE behind the hiring. If the girl was hired simply because the job interviewer found her cute and wanted to be near her, then there would be a serious problem, because not only would the "less pretty" lady's rights be violated, but even that of the pretty one who was so objectified!

I think the only legitimate motive for hiring a prettier one is if you're in a high-visibility job that requires some element of looks (such as stewardesses, fashion models, etc...). And then, ONLY AS AN AID TO THE BUSINESS, and not as an aid to romantic aspirations. :)

[AGA MUHLACH]

Di rin advantage ang maraming maganda at gwapo sa opisina dahil mas magiging productive at concentrated ka sa trabaho mo pag parepareho kayong pangit sa opisina nyo nah tulad ko.
Kung madaming maganda sa opisina eh di hindi ka nah nakatrabaho sa katitingin sa kanila. :P

[leelayce]

In fact, there was a study done regarding how physical appearance affects the employment of the individual.

thesis sa UP yun eh, AB Economics

[Rygil]

I work as a jr. exec. in my company and it's true, almost all companies like to choose the "beautiful/handsome" over the "average" but I'm not saying that it's the attractive looking people who always get the job, NO!!! All of them have to have their records checked by their boss and all of those who are "intelectually qualified" have to undergo a trial run.... PERO I have to be honest with you guys.... ang napapansin parati eh yung mga magaganda at gwapo! Pero hey, that doesn't mean na left out na yung "average" guy ha!? The average guy has to work a lot harder... at para mapansin talaga siya eh he/she has to surpass their "gwapo/maganda" rivals in terms of intellect, wit and competence. Pero oras na natalo mo na yung mga magaganda't gwapo eh ikaw na lang talaga ang papansinin ng mga superiors mo! :) I admit it's unfair pero mas satisifying yung feeling when you know that you've been chosen for your mind rather than your looks, diba!? :) Sa case ko naman, I have 3 beautiful secretaries... as in, they're really gorgeous! At first, I had my doubts choosing them coz baka nga lang pang-facial value lang sila pero I was pretty impressed by their academic records.... aba, puro mga Dean's Listers ang mga ito!!! Consistent Dean Listers to be exact! :) Well, I've been working with my 3 secretaries(I call em my Charlie's Angels):angel: for more than 2 years na and we all managed to pull thru and become very successful in our field that we are the favorites of our company! ;)

[The Saint]

On the other hand, how about those companies who judge you by your academic records but don't seem to appreciate your potentials as a creative, resourceful, practical and street smart professional. Sometimes, its those who lag behind academics who generate ideas from human experience, and not from thick books on management theories. With all due respect to scholars, I'm a masters student so that gives me a subjective impression too.

*****

In my company, I remember a few whispers by some colleagues to our friends in HR... "kunin mo naman para sa department namin, yung maganda" "even worse, kunin mo naman yung mukhang hot and wild". Of course these are just jokes but most often that not half-meant. You have to face it, sometimes, the human dark side messes with professionalism. Afterall, its the people that makes an institution and not the other way around.

In our department, the manager makes sure that whoever she chooses must be capable of getting along with us. Our job requires team work so she can't afford an anti-social amongst us. One time, there was this ****** who applied. I heard he had latin honors in college. He was denied. Our manager said he wouldn't get along with us and would probably even destroy the atmosphere of teamwork in the department. It not fair for the poor applicant, but its also a disaster to the department to take him in. You see, its not a matter of discrimination that determines your acceptance. Its compatibility to work. Well of course, those with pretty faces end up with more compatible jobs.

Minsan naman kasi, sa pagdadala na lang yan eh. May pangit na nga, saksakan pa ng nene. Konting confidence naman. No one is ugly until another says so. At kahit sinabi pa niya, ikaw pa rin ang magko confirm non. Good Looks and Pleasing Personality di ba. So kung walang good looks, eh di idaan mo sa pleasing personality.

[glassnoodle]

One way of gauging if the company is an equal opportunity employer is if they don't ask for your picture when you send your resume. If they call you, it helps to know that you got the interview because of your credentials.

[kNIGHT]

I guess being ugly or even being average doesn't mean you would not get the job you want. I admit it is always very hard to land a good job especially if you are considered an average student during your school years; but when I get turned down by a company. I feel more determined in improving my skills and eventually one can land into the job he or she likes. If that company calls you after two years, I won't mind working for them as long as I know that I would also improve my own skills when I work for them. As job hunters, we should always remain professional amidst the reality that some companies hire based on beauty even if the work does not demand physical appearance or gender whatsoever.

[tina11]

i agree, di siguro exactly "physical beauty" ang hinahanap but self-confidence. and even if the attractive people get the job unfairly, they won't STAY on the job for long if they really are unfit for it. let that be our consolation... hehe

glassnoodle, di ba most companies really do ask for a recent i.d. pic, super konti lang hindi humihingi! usually mga multinationals pa ang hindi humihingi.

[glassnoodle]

Originally posted by tina11
<<<s n i p p e d>>>
glassnoodle, di ba most companies really do ask for a recent i.d. pic, super konti lang hindi humihingi! usually mga multinationals pa ang hindi humihingi.

Yup. It's usually multinationals who don't. Sad but true. Hopefully, local companies will follow this line of thinking soon.

[unterbewußt]

From my experience, suffice to say that physical appearance does matter. Dressing well really helps, although I doubt that having physical marks (such as scars and the like) make too big a difference.

[CaRaMBa]

Physical appearance does matter, but as cherub mentioned, it doesn't mean you have to be beautiful or handsome to get a job. One should be neat, and pleasant to look at. The interviewer only has a few things going for him - the resume, the transcript of records, and the interview. How much really can you find out about a person with those things? Whether we like it or not, our physical appearance may be considered a reflection of what's inside, of how we work, etc. If someone has dirty nails, then we can think that that person is 'lazy' - if he's lazy to clean his nails, then he might be lazy with work.

However, sometimes 'beauty' is important and a 'requirement' for certain jobs.

If the people who are running the business are serious with what they're doing, bottomline is they will hire based on skill. Of course it will help if the person is attractive - they're going to see this employee every single day.

Honestly, if you have two applicants who's equal in everything - school, course, interview, exam score, resume, etc, but Applicant 1 is prettier than Applicant 2, whom are you going to hire?

[zimdude]

I'd go for the one who has more dating - more personable, perhaps - regardless of looks.

As for the ID picture... well let's see what HR practitioners think...

[lupuS]

The picture requirement is something you're more likely to encounter with Filipino companies. Why? I have no idea. It serves no useful purpose to me. I get a lot of resumes sent by fax. Some have pictures on them. Pictures don't transmit very well by fax and most of the time all I can see is a gray rectangle on one corner of the page, making the resume look...well...ugly.

American companies will not do this because they risk being accused of discriminating based on race. After all, what better indicator is there of a person's race than his picture?

[CaRaMBa]

glassnoodle: I think it depends on the reason for asking the picture. I ask for the picture to help me remember the interviewee. Yes there is an evaluation sheet, but it helps if you remember the face of the interviewee.

I don't ask for a 'recent' picture, basta kamukha, okay na. Also, it's not a 'requirement'. It doesn't mean that if they don't submit, they won't be considered anymore.

makatas: Tough question, but really, I would go for skills.

[zimdude]

I'll ask veteran HR people. I think the practice has been handed down from generation to generation with little thought on its basis.

[council]

Originally posted by zimdude
I'll ask veteran HR people. I think the practice has been handed down from generation to generation with little thought on its basis.

When I used to apply for different positions (in different companies, usually banks), I recall that I NEVER did attach any picture to my resume. Basta covering letter, resume and transcript of records lang. If that didn't convince them of my 'hire-ability', a picture wouldn't help either.

Besides, mas magandang ma-hire ang tao because of his skills as a primary factor. Looks is secondary, especially in the backroom or support groups.

I only submitted my picture (btw, this is my second job pa lang, after 8 years working in a bank straight out of college) as a requirement for the 201 file... ID pics and all that.

BTW, am heading the HR Group of a fairly large company in QC now.

[kerb]

kung ang basis yung credentials/academic performance eh di mabuti ka kasi kahit may rival kang mas gwapo/maganda, u can still work hard to get it. otherwise, kung appearance ang basehan.. malaki ang prob mo, ika nga, "u cant face the problem if the problem is ur face" :D

[Quentin]

i used to put pictures on my resumes when i still had long hair. won't they be surprised when i appeared semikal on the interview :D

[tr|n|ty]

When i was doing my internships in firms in manila, I was shocked that resumes had pictures with them. it was so weird. Firms here in the U.S. don't do that. The first interview usually measures the person's personality and the appearance. I personally think that being clean, neat and presentable are key factors for hiring people. I agree with Caramba's statement that if the person is lazy making themselves presentable, pano pa kaya sa work.

Piece of advice, I'm a graduating senior and I've gone through a number of interviews for top Investment Banks(i.e. Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Merril Lynch, Lehman Brothers)here in NYC and i can say that Investment Bankers, particularly women, are not that attractive. They were often very drab,snooty, *****y and cut-throat competitive. So for women who plan to be Investment Bankers, don't wear make up and don't wear your best suit(heck, forget about how nice that pearl necklace looks with your suit). Just be in your plain black suit(SKIRT suit, they frown on pantsuits during interviews because they are deemed as casual and NO short ally mcbeal type suits either) and turn up your ***** mode. I made a mistake of wearing my best suit and making myself really pretty...buti nalang wala akong offer from the big boys kung hindi baka masabihan akong ngets! :lol:

[f0r5aK3n]

Filipino companies are not EOE right? I mean, not all of them?? If you are, then shouldn't u put that in ur ads. "We are an Equal Opportunity Employer"?


trinity: I think it stems from the fact that these women have had to compete with MEN for so long and with clients expecting MEN as well.

[nada]

aren't u tired of reading the ubiquitous *with pleasing personality* crap in those classified ads? can't they think of a better copy than that? gasgas na gasgas na yon.

[tr|n|ty]

I think it stems from the fact that these women have had to compete with MEN for so long and with clients expecting MEN as well.

i understand the competition and the *****iness just because they're against the best and brightest minds in the finance world but that doesn't mean that they should look like men. A woman's strength lies in her ability to be as smart or even smarter than men and having that factor of being very attractive to the opposite sex.

[bagyoboy]

I think physical appearance matters in whatever field you are in because your apearance shows how much potential leadership you can give to achieve results.

Leadership starts with the self, and it starts with the simple things like a neat haircut, a clean shave, neatly pressed clothes, etc.

We can do little about our face, but so much about the fire in our eyes.

These things separate great leaders from the mediocre.

[zimdude]

naku... lagot ako sa neatness... buti nalang few clients have met me... mostly suppliers lang... :D

[brusco]

Quite frankly I don't even bother interviewing applicants if I don't think they are good looking (from photos in the resume).

It's unfair but what isn't?!

[Satoy]

Just interested to know especially for office positions. Thanks.

[mac_bolan00]

yes, they all do, sometimes more importantly than other qualifications. they're lying if they say otherwise.

[badtzmaru]

not as much as personality, that's for sure.

demeanor & presentation are also far more important.

[Fairy_nd_meadow]

here are different "physical" requirements for different positions.

But generally yes, like for some positions - Front Desk/Reception, Marketing, Sales, even Human Resources, we of course want someone pleasant and presentable enough for the job.

Usually, people "interact" better with others when they have pleasant physical looks. It doesn't necessarily mean that you have to be strikingly beautiful, you just have to have an "acceptable" physical appearance (not naman "pangit") and it's how you carry yourself that matters. I've also encountered some people who may be pretty but boy, when they start to talk, you'd get turned off. So it's also more on how you carry yourself. :)

[rains_delight]

Well, if the applicant is not that good looking and he/she is qualified for an office work position, of course I will hire him/her. But if the vacancy is for an account executive, being smart is not enough, the applicant should also be good looking. :beauty:

[Gabriela]

I used to recruit telemarketers and sales executives and never did I look at physical appearance. Basta presentable, walang bad breath and B.O. :brush:

What counts is how a candidate carries himself/herself. Maybe the reason why goodlooking applicants have high probability of getting hired is because they feel more confident about themselves than their ugly counterparts. I notice that during group interviews. Pretty people tend to stand out. Ano magagawa ko kung mas magaling sila?

[pinaysrdbest]

Getting into a situation where two applicants, a good looking one and a very not so good looking one that is, apply for the same position, and they both have adequate or even exeptional qualifications, the good looking one has a better edge than the other. I know it!


There are some employers who even ask their subordinates to cast in their votes if they want to hire the applicant or not! Believe me! It happened to me. I'm not saying that I am pretty or ugly (arghh!), but I got in a situation where other people in the department cast their votes if they want to hire me or not! I only learned about it when they hired me. One reason I can say on this is, perhaps the manager would like to get the opinion of his subordinates coz he wanted to have a good rapport in his department.

http://www.animatedgif.net/animals/bears/sherisplash2_e0.gif

[richyuppie]

Yes, it is an advantage. I'm an Human Resource major graduate, but I'm not one. Most of my batchmates are now one, they already have told me countless of funny stories of applicants. Anyway, APPEARANCE IS AN ADVANTAGE. You don't have to look good, but you should be at least presentable, well-groomed, well-pressed clothes, and smell nice. Also, about pictures, HR Managers (as far as I know) hate cut-out pictures. If I were you, instead of going to Photo-Me to have your lousy picture taken, get your grad pic, go to Kodak Photo Magic, and recopy your grad pic. You can have as much as 24 pieces for only P180(?).

Indeed!

[TSINITO]

i dont think so..
look at betty la fea, she is ugly yet she is rich!!
:)