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Topic: Does your looks hurt your chances at getting a job
| Author | Message |
| Bree | Posted – 5/31/2008 5:23:30 PM | show profile I was in a car accident when I was 12 years old. I now have these scars on my face. Not anything disfiguring like an eye in the center of my forehead, but it's very noticeable. Now that I've been going on interviews and not receiving job offers, It is always in the back of my head that it is because of how I look. It also could be because I don't know how to sell myself during an interview. Am I being paranoid, or is their some truth in being pretty and free of imperfections is how you get a job these days. |
| Grateful Deadline | Posted – 5/31/2008 6:54:26 PM | show profile Looks aren't brains, so don't worry. Work on how your sell yourself, always letting the potential employer know what they stand to gain by hiring you. |
| Agirlwalksintoabookstore... | Posted – 5/31/2008 9:06:41 PM | show profile Being pretty and free of imperfections being the only way you get a job is only true if you want to be on TV. Otherwise, I say that selling yourself correctly is the most important thing to do. It took me two years of interviewing before I realized that it wasn't my physical appearance that bothered people (I'm a mousy, nondescript brunette and I'm so short that legally, I'm a "little person"), but the way I came across in interviews. The best way I can think of to help sell yourself better is to practice, practice, practice. Sit down with a friend who can field you questions that might be asked in an interview. Work until you've worked out all the kinks in your presentation; create a 30-second elevator pitch for yourself that sums up your accomplishments. Eye contact is key, always, and always dress well. What's good is that you're actually getting interviewed; many job hunters can't accomplish that much. With regards to your scar--try using cover-up. Maybe that will make your scar stand out less. |
| Astera | Posted – 5/31/2008 9:39:57 PM | show profile Your scars shouldn't be a determining factor. As Unemployed-gal said, the fact that you are getting interviews means that your resume must be solid. Are you overly nervous during interviews? Make sure your project confidence and a can-do attitude. And if your scars are causing you to be self-conscious during interviews, you may want to consider trying to hide them a bit. I've heard that Dermablend is a great product--I think it's what makeup artists use to cover up tattoos on actors and actresses. Also, remember that job-hunting these days is pretty much a crapshoot. If you're not receiving offers, it's more likely that it's because the company instituted a hiring freeze, or cut the budget, or found an internal candidate, or a million other reasons. I doubt it's your scars. Good luck on your future interviews! ------ www.adventuresofastera.blogspot.com |
| jobhunter08 | Posted – 6/1/2008 4:24:53 PM | show profile It matters to the extent as unemployed gal said, if you're a pretty girl, you got the job in the bag. |
| Bree | Posted – 6/2/2008 1:52:55 AM | show profile 30 Second elevator pitches? Unemployed gal, every time I research an elevator pitch, I get examples and instructions for pitching your "personal brand", which would change depending on the job you are looking for. I can't find any tips on creating an 30 second elevator pitch based on accomplishments, instead of personal branding. Are there any books or websites you recommend for creating a 30 second pitch based on my accomplishments? |
| mkelly | Posted – 6/2/2008 7:51:04 AM | show profile How do I put this diplomatically... Yes, of course looks matter; psychologists have published legions of studies showing that, all other things being equal, we prefer to surround ourselves with people we believe are attractive. That said, all things are very much *not* equal most of the time, and since you're getting interviews, clearly your experience looks good enough on paper for the manager to proceed to Step 2. So I'd worry much more about demonstrating your innate talent. If you have that, an editor couldn't give a s--t less that you do have a third eye. I have met numerous hotties who didn't have two brain cells to fire together, and would rather fail to publish than hire one of them. Plus, there's a difference between being ugly, and looking normal but having a scar. My guess is someone obese would have a much harder time with this obstacle than you. It may suck, but it sounds like nothing insurmountable. |
| Agirlwalksintoabookstore... | Posted – 6/2/2008 12:04:27 PM | show profile Most career coaches I talked to when I first started out suggested that I come up with a short pitch for myself--most people don't have the attention span for anything that's longer than about thirty seconds. Basically, you want to spell out in as few words as possible what YOU bring to the table--your experience, your skills, your traits, etc., that would make you the perfect candidate for the job. And then you have to apply those skills to the job immediately at hand. One book that I found particularly helpful with job hunting and interviewing right out of college is "Ditch the Flip Flops" Ace Your Job Interview Fresh Out of College," by Sylvia I. Landy. She doesn't talk about the thirty-second pitch, as such, but she goes into detail about "marketing" oneself during an interview. Its a good book because she forces you to figure out what makes you "tick" before you interview, so that you know what your strengths and weaknesses are before you go in. It also teaches you how to establish rapport with your interviewer, dressing the right way, etc. Unfortunately, it doesn't cover the topic of being beautiful or ugly, or other appearance things that might or might not get the job. But in many respects and I take back what I said in my previous post), appearance DOES matter, somewhat. I'm sure I've lost out on many a job here and there where a less-qualified person got the job because she was taller/ more beautiful/ etc. |
| aleks | Posted – 6/2/2008 2:38:53 PM | show profile from my experience... - about a month ago I interviewed at a job and was told I did not get it because of a "culture fit". wtf? so its not only looks but what kind of shoes you wear or what tiny hint of a personality you show. it's a messed up world! |
| blackberry1431 | Posted – 6/2/2008 2:50:27 PM | show profile Mkelly is right on. The only person I wouldn't be likely to hire is a fat person, no matter how great the resume. They cost the company more money with health care and life insurance. Bree, I wouldn't worry about it. It's a tough econ and it's a great sign that you are at least getting the interviews. Wow them with your personality and accomplishments. |
| chucho | Posted – 6/2/2008 4:21:41 PM | show profile Yes, it does. Not always, but often. Forget about sales or marketing or any job where you go to trade shows and interact with customers -- they discriminate against you without even realizing it. (They'll convince themselves it's something else, that somebody else -- somebody else who looks good in pocket-less ass pants and Manolos, or an tailored men's suit with Kenneth Cole's -- is more qualified than you.) Choose jobs that do not require "travel" (a lot of trade pubs do) because those often involve interacting with clients. Anything that involves being a customer rep to clients is a job that will inherently involve discriminating on looks. Reporting is a mixed bag. Desk editing, you should be relatively OK. |
| Rocky Mountain Writer | Posted – 6/2/2008 6:24:21 PM | show profile Blackberry, your ignorance astounds me. But just so you are aware, it's not just obesity-related illnesses that drive up the costs of insurance. For a truly clean environment, you should consider instituting the following practices: - Make everyone, fatties and skinnies alike, pass the basic fitness test with pushups and a run. - Fire smokers. They not only will get lung cancer, but they cause secondhand smoke health issues. Even if they quit 20 years ago, then can get sick. Fire them. - Blood test for alcohol, weekend included. A person should not consume more than 1 alcoholic beverage (and no weekly averaging for weekend overindulgence). - Anyone who has engaged in sex is excluded from health insurance (can't always trust that partner). - Gay males especially are to be excluded. Gay anal sex is risky! - Anyone who participates in extreme sports is excluded (statisically, more bone breaks and loss of work for PT). - Women who are going to get pregnant should be excluded. They're expensive. Abortions are costly as well. - Anyone with a pre-existing condition: gone. - Anyone with a mental illness, they should not be hired. Their medication alone is killing us. - Daily gym time is mandatory, between 45-60 minutes. - All workers will become vegetarians. Anyone who has consumed meat is excluded from coverage. - Anyone who drives to work is excluded. - Certain ZIP codes are more dangerous than others for crime and illnesses. They are excluded. - Those not married are excluded. - Those who have children are excluded. - Those women between 40-60 are excluded because they are prone to breast cancer. - Underweight folks are excluded. They are usually nutrient-deficent. The question is, why are you making such ignorant statements in the first place? |
| MyPublicistIsHot | Posted – 6/2/2008 8:23:00 PM | show profile Maybe it's your grammar and not your looks. Bree, I'm sure you look fine, but I wouldn't hire you at my magazine because of your poor grammar. Your title should read "DO your looks hurt your chances at getting a job," because "looks" is plural. Sorry to sound condescending and nit-picky, but if you're using the same kind of grammar in your interviews / edit tests as you are in your post, you are costing yourself the job. That would be true even if you looked like Gisele! |
| snappiness | Posted – 6/2/2008 9:14:11 PM | show profile I was thinking the same thing. I mean, I know we're all casual here on a message board and everything, but we are writers and editors. I can understand a typo here and there if someone is rushing, but bad grammar always makes me wonder. That last sentence is a mess. I expect that you will never know if it's appearance or something else. There are many posts here from people wondering why the heck they didn't get hired when they felt supremely qualified for the position. The only thing you can do is be positive, put your best foot forward and keep trying. You may feel at a disadvantage for your appearance, but there are so many other disadvantages others have like bad education, bad interviewing skills or bad attitude. Make sure you have all that nailed and you'll be far ahead of most interviewees. |
| sheilamullan | Posted – 6/2/2008 11:13:38 PM | show profile perhaps Bree, if the scars make you feel unconfortable, why not check the Covermark makeup product in a department store, ask for some samples and see if works for you? I have read some great things about it. I'd put everything in my favor that I can. Good luck! Sheila |
| Bree | Posted – 6/2/2008 11:25:42 PM | show profile NO WE ARE NOT ALL EDITORS HERE! I never said once that I was interviewing for writing/editing positions, and NO! I'm not and editor or a writer. So what is my grammar is poor HERE. I don't write during an interview, I speak. I hate it when you so-called professionals pick on someone's grammar. And to say that maybe I'm not being hired because of my poor grammar is condescending and it makes you two look rediculous because you are posting irrelavent advice in regards to the specific topic at hand! So I will appreciate if snappiness and the MyPublicistisHot stop posting here, or anyone else who feels like being a smart-ass! Thanks for everyone else who posted RELATIVE advice to the topic that I posted. My question has been answered. |
| seeattleme2 | Posted – 6/3/2008 12:49:14 AM | show profile I agree. Chill with the grammar police, people. Let it go. This is recreation. If you can't handle a mistake, don't respond to it. Go split infinitives or something. Get a life. Get laid. That said, Bree, I think this is a fake post. Are you the same one responsible for the "I'm About To Lose My Cool" monstrosity currently swelling with 146 replies? |
| hawkmail | Posted – 6/3/2008 1:00:15 AM | show profile All jobs, not just writers and editors, require writing. Therefore, grammar and spelling are important in any job. Coming across as articulate while speaking in an interview requires proper grammar. When dashing off a quick board post most of us probably don't spell check or proof read.... just be sure you do in real work situations. As for your concern about your scars, as difficult as it may be, try to own it....be confident....I think scars are interesting and distinctive. Look at Padma Lakshmi, Marla Hansen, Tina Fey. They show what a person has been through and survived. That is something to be proud of, in my book. I have a long surgery scar on my upper arm and it doesn't stop me for one second from wearing a tank dress. Good luck. |
| writesonwater | Posted – 6/3/2008 2:04:35 AM | show profile | email poster Blackberry, I have to agree with the poster with the list of who not to hire. That's an incredible bias you have! And with so many people in America sporting avoirdupois these days, you're elitist about one thing when there's so many things to be a snob about. Bree, I wouldn't worry about the scar. I think real talent is more important than so many other things. Anyone who can't see past a scar (or fat, for that matter) would probably be a real jerk to work for. One of the best hires the company I worked for ever made was a journalist with obvious Tourette's. That writer has experienced a lot of bias against her in some settings, but bottom line is she was the most talented person at the paper, a fantastic writer. And she got the job, despite obvious "shortcomings." As for the 30-second elevator speech, here's the deal: Everyone should be able to say why they're the right candidate in a brief little paragraph. Clue: It should also be found in your cover letter. "I'm a great candidate for this job because (your three points go here): I have very strong writing skills, I do a great job of getting the interview and acing it, and I'm consistent -- I turn in polished, professional pieces on time, every time." As a freelancer, my elevator speech went like this: "My work has been published in a wide range of regional and national publications, including xyz. I had a book published last year, and I'm a frequent contributor to the Major Metro Daily." I consider that a pithy sentence that briefly credentials me to accept a potential assignment. No long experience? No matter. "I'm a freelance writer and recent college graduate with a degree in XYZ. I love writing about economics and blablabla." ------ http://writingporch.blogspot.com/ http://jlouiselarson.blogspot.com/ http://familyrootsandwings.blogspot.com/ |
| writesonwater | Posted – 6/3/2008 2:09:29 AM | show profile | email poster While I was having a car fixed last week, there was another customer in who had clearly been in a fire at some time in her life. Almost the first thing I noticed about her (a sad commentary, I suppose) was that she had burns up the side and back of her left leg, left arm, and her face. She clearly used makeup on her face to tidy up a bit. But the next thing that struck me was that in the Texas heat, she was wearing shorts and a tank top -- no uncomfortable efforts to conceal. And then I noticed that she was pretty, and confident. My conclusion was that she didn't let her burn scars define her. Sure, I noticed them first, but by the time she left, they were more of a feature instead of a detraction. ------ http://writingporch.blogspot.com/ http://jlouiselarson.blogspot.com/ http://familyrootsandwings.blogspot.com/ |
| snappiness | Posted – 6/3/2008 9:02:44 AM | show profile If you're not looking for a job in publishing, what are you doing on MB? And if you can't handle constructive criticism then why are you asking for input? I offered more than just comments on the grammar. Take the advice you can use and just ignore the rest. I've seen so many posts here from people asking for job-hunt advice, then attacking those who offer said advice. I don't get that. I guess they are just looking for little ego strokes. |
| mkelly | Posted – 6/3/2008 10:23:17 AM | show profile Um, Bree... Re-read my post, especially the part about some job applicants not having two brain cells to click together. You just put yourself in that category. Now I wouldn't want to hire the likes of you just because you're thin-skinned and can't use a spell-check, regardless of whether you look like Tony Montano. You won't get far in the industry if your last screed is indicative of your general attitude. Change it. |
| Vox-o | Posted – 6/3/2008 3:00:55 PM | show profile I wouldn't hire an overweight person either. I'll spot you 10% in excess body fat, but that's it. I don't feel that way because of insurance costs; I feel that way because I believe that a disciplined fit body = a disciplined fit mind. I know there are exceptions, some people have legit physical issues which make them overweight, but that is rare. If you don't care about your body operating at its peak condition, I find it hard to believe you care about your work being at its peak. I realize, of course, that this makes me an asshole. |
| Bree | Posted – 6/3/2008 3:37:25 PM | show profile ????????????????? No, this is not a "fake post," but like all topics, they must come to an end after the poster gets initial feedback. Seattleme, would you like for me to post my picture to prove that I have a scar or something! And I'm not getting angry or have an attitude, it's just stupid to see how people take it upon themselves to criticize, and not give advice to my problem in the first place. Imaging if someone posted a topic on how they have self-esteem issues, and then I say, "Oh, well, look at how you write, I wouldn't hire you either" Does that makes sense? What does my grammar have to do with my scar in the first place. It has NOTHING to do with my scar! Does anyone see the point I'm trying to prove? |
| Mirage | Posted – 6/3/2008 4:14:11 PM | show profile Yes, Bree. YOU are trying to prove the point that your scar is keeping you from getting hired, so you can cry about all the injustice that surrounds such superficiality. Some others here, whose sound advice you have chosen to ignore, have tried to point out -- constructively -- that it might not be the scar, but your presentation (e.g., lack of attention to basic grammar), which is an easier thing to overcome than a physical issue over which you have no control. Perhaps it's easier to scream about injustice than to take the time to work on faults that are actually fixable. |
