A professional makeover might be just what your job search needs.
I know it's not fair, but when you're looking for a job, presenting the most polished image possible can boost your odds of finding a new job. When you go to an interview or networking event, people judge you based on your image. It isn't exactly fair, but more attractive people are judged to be more confident and successful.
Many studies have shown that employers are more likely to hire someone who is attractive. There is a premium placed on beauty, especially for women. These studies prove that wearing makeup and having a fashionable hairstyle can make you be seen as a person who is likeable, dependable and trustworthy.
I know, it doesn't make sense. Knowing how mascara works doesn't really prove anything about your ability to do a job. Still, a study from Harvard Medical School asked people to rate the competence of several pictures of people. The pictures showed women wearing no makeup, some with a natural look and some who were wearing the most makeup. In tests where the judges were given a short amount of time to make the decision, a large majority of people rated the women wearing the most makeup as the most competent and successful.
However, when they had more time to consider their choices, they selected the women wearing natural makeup as the most confident and successful. No matter how much time the judges were given, they always chose the women who weren't wearing makeup as the least qualified.
What is interesting about this study is that it doesn't really matter how beautiful you are, you can still get a boost just by changing your makeup style.
If you think that your job search could benefit from a makeover, here are some tips for presenting your best self:
- Understand that appearance counts - No matter what you look like, make sure that you do all you can to present a pulled together image. This means updated makeup and attractive clothing that flatters. If you're a man, get a haircut, shave and remember to clean your fingernails. Polish your shoes and try to look sharp.
- You don't have to spend a fortune - Don't think that it costs a lot to update your look. Update your eye shadows, get a nice tinted lip gloss and find one great outfit. That's all it takes. You don't have to get a complete makeover or spend your whole paycheck in order to update your look.
- Don't neglect the rest - Even though looking attractive is important, on its own, it's not going to be enough to get you the job. Let your appearance help people see who you are. Focus on having the skills and competence to back up any snap judgements.
Do you think that looking attractive makes a difference in being selected for a job? Why or why not? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for FinancialJobBank and Nexxt. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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