Can Good Looks Get You Hired?

By Tara Hari

Recent studies have found that it pays well to be good looking. Literally. Good looks seem to ensure smooth sailing throughout life. You will be more popular, well liked and have more dates if you are easy on the eyes. And now it has been found that if you are attractive, your chances of getting hired for a job will increase. Talk about an unfair world.

It is unjust to judge a person by their appearance, but it seems that good looking people have a number of advantages during job interviews. Lets look at why good looks can get you hired.

Can Good Looks Get You Hired?

Better Response
Good looking men or women are usually favoured with a better response during interviews. Research has shown that an attractive male will get one job interview for every 5 CV sent out by him. But it takes an unattractive male with the same qualifications, at least 11 CVs to get an offer for an interview. During job interviews, you will get a better and warmer response from the interviewers if you are attractive.

Eye Candy
If you are a woman who is looking for a secretarial post, your good looks will ensure your job. This may be reinforcing negative stereotypes, but most men prefer a pretty secretary or personal assistant. The logic would be, that if you are going to pick somebody to see around the office everyday, then you might pick somebody who is good looking. Thus are the ways of this world.

Charismatic
Good looking people tend to be more charismatic. They have an innate charm and magnetism that will attract people to them. They will have no problems impressing the interviewers and bowling them over with their personality and allure. Attractive people usually have a posse of friends and admirers due to their individuality as well as looks.

Confident
Due to a lifetime of having things go their way due to their good looks, attractive people develop limitless confidence. Their aura of self-assurance and poise will definitely attract their interviewers. Their ability to be at ease during interviews and take things into their stride will be a big plus point on their sides.

Successful
Good looks do not ensure success, but good looking people strive to be more successful. They will be tired of being judged simply by their looks, so they will try hard to be efficient and live up to the expectations people have of them. They will also be used to success and popularity, so will work hard towards it.

These are some of the reasons why good looks will get you hired. But do not depend on your looks alone to get you hired, as your qualifications matter much more. Looks are merely an additional boost.

Story first published: Wednesday, June 19, 2013, 18:56 [IST]
Read more about: work life personality