In this day and age, we'd like to think that employers hire on merit alone, and that a good attitude and sound CV are enough. Consider, then, the case of China's new graduates. All too aware of the importance of looks in an already competitive job market, they are resorting to plastic surgery in a bid to make themselves more employable.
Business at the Shanghai Plastic Surgery Hospital is 40% up on last year, and 50% of its patients have admitted that their surgery is work-related. Popular procedures include nose jobs, reshaping cheekbones to make them rounder, and restyling eyelids. The latter surgery alone costs £510 - the equivalent of a year's tuition fees.
And while students are of one the largest groups going under the knife for employment reasons, white-colour workers who have lost their jobs are also bowing to pressure. Even leg-lengthening surgery is on the rise.
While employers in the UK are not allowed to refer to applicants' physical appearances in job adverts, it's hard to ignore the fact that interviewers, however well-intentioned, will lean towards the better looking applicants. In a 2008 survey by employment law service Peninsula, nearly 90% of employers admitted to having at least once chosen the most attractive candidate for a job.
But why? And should we put up with this? Should we regard improving our personal appearance - without resorting to surgery, one would like to think - as part of our application procedure? Or should employers be coached to see past an applicant's outer appearance to the skills and aptitude within?
Comments (4)
Posted by Matthew Chester | April 2, 2009 3:27 PM
When we first meet someone it takes just a minute or two for those vital - and often lasting – first impressions to be made. And, apparently, only 7% of that initial assessment is based on what we say with the rest being attributed to presentation and body language! Rightly or wrongly, those who take care over their appearance are seen as being more able, are more likely to be promoted and earn more than those less well presented.
There is an acknowledged sequence of events that says that good appearance improves self-confidence which, in turn, means you exude a positive image. Projecting a positive image improves work relationships and that, subsequently, improves performance.
No one would advocate surgery, but you do owe it to yourself in these increasingly competitive days, to exploit every opportunity to promote yourself in the best possible and most appropriate light.
Posted on April 2, 2009 15:27
Posted by Stuart Duff | April 6, 2009 11:56 AM
This is a modern slant on an age old problem – bias. Whether it’s race, gender, age or any other difference, we all stereotype and we’re all prone to irrational judgements of other people. As a result, bias is prevalent in many of our decisions. We have two choices – we either pretend that bias doesn’t exist and bury our heads in the sand, or accept that bias influences us all and look for meaningful ways to minimise the impact. It takes far more skill than many would think to recruit candidates without bias, and a lot of experience to avoid making damaging, poorly informed decisions that risk excluding people on the basis of physical appearance alone.
Posted on April 6, 2009 11:56
Posted by Thea | April 9, 2009 10:56 AM
Good looks usually reflect a healthy inside. Good skin, healthy teeth, strong nails, slim waist, good posture are all indicators that the internal body functions are working well. Evolution has taught us that selecting out partners based on the above increases the chance of healthy offspring and their successful upbringing.
In the modern world, another dimension has been added: grooming. This tells us so much about a person’s demographics and we are socialised learning to make a judgement based on the hair style, cloths, shoes, handbag – even umbrellas.
As a result we all tend to naturally favour or admire the ‘attractive’.
Luckily, as much as my perception of others due to their looks and grooming has been shaped by experiences, I have also learned from experience that the appearance does not reliably predict job performance. And it is a pleasure to dig deeper and find out what is really inside a person and find the perfect match for the existing team they are supposed to complement.
Posted on April 9, 2009 10:56
Posted by Alison | April 9, 2009 1:53 PM
Leg lengthening surgery......?! Surely the date on this is no coincidence.
Posted on April 9, 2009 13:53