Promotion & Good Looks?

Question

I just responded to a question and was reminded of the repeated claims of physically attractive women getting promoted to higher positions and getting more pay. This makes sense for a job at Hooters, but how many think this is a reality in the professional business world?

Here is the original question that included the claim:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ar0SAFsrpWj24f6BoC7zF7vsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071008100438AAvtZ8T&show=7#profile-info-dKtHcieaaa

Just to clarify: By good looks I don't mean professional or presentable--who wouldn't want the company to have a professional and presentable look? By good looks I mean "hot," for the lack of a better word (highschool boys, sorry for stealing your favorite word :))

steve_sider- I understand if two people are up to compete for a promotion and the more physically attractive getting promoted BUT to claim that someone got promoted to a position that requires degrees, experience and multiple languages, based on their looks--is pure garbage.

To sum it up: attractiveness can be an advantage, but not the basis of promotions or career advancement.

Answer 1

Attractive women (and men) do sometimes have a *subtle* advantage. Likewise, well dressed and well groomed people tend to have an advantage.

Conversely, unattractive or obese people must overcome what is sometimes a subtle disadvantage. They're just not as easy on the eyes.

I've hired and/or promoted more than 100 people and try to laser-focus on the the business initiative, but cannot deny that appearance may have influenced my perception of some candidates if they were especially attractive or unattractive.

Therefore, if two people are similarly qualified, the more attractive person may, with some managers, in some case, have an advantage. The manager may not make the decision consciously, but it sometimes is a factor.

EDIT:

However, if you're good enough, you will succeed regardless of looks. Cash is king and trumps good looks.

If someone's gonna have a positive impact on my P&L, they're hired!

EDIT II: Ms. Lioness

Agreed completely. At some point the person's got to be able produce so we can all get a paycheck. In the business world good looks can only take you so far.

Answer 2

That unfortunately it's true that you have to look good by whatever the companies standards are in order to get a promotion. If presented with two idea candidates that are both perfect but one is more aesthetically pleasing, they'll go with that one. This is something I believe to be true.

The way the poster paints it, is extreme and despicable. And most likely while the men of his office are ogling and talking about their new managers **** the women are knowing full well what got her there.

Answer 3

This actualy is true of both genders not just women .

call centers were looks are not important found that both males and females who were physicaly atttractive were more often than there less attractive men and women to be promoted .

it doesnt mean that less attractive men and women cannot be promoted but it seems physical attractivness is another arrow in the quiver

Answer 4

Physical attractiveness can work the other way, too. If you're very attractive, people tend to think you rely too much on your looks to get ahead and not take you as seriously as someone who isn't as attractive. Also, if you're a pretty woman, you often will have to deal with jealousy from female co-workers and that can be rough.

Answer 5

I know that before I made myself look prettier, I would get walked on by many people, men and women, in the workplace, possibly because they saw me as not being on their level of maturity or class.

However, when I made myself look great, I was treated with more respect, and endeared myself to more people because they liked the way I look. However, this did not help get or keep a job; it only got my foot in the door. I had to be able to cut the mustard at the workplace to last there.

Answer 6

Yeah, I just answered that one as well, what you wrote was interesting about promotion and good looks, I learned a little something there.

My involvement in the business world was during my twenties (as now I work for myself), and didn't once see a woman promoted based on her physical attractiveness.
Have heard of it done, but in companies that focused primarily on the external, such as cosmetics, adult entertainment, etc.

Answer 7

It doesn't make sense at all, but it happens nonetheless. I'm not entirely surprised when it happens to overweight people, since that can be taken as a sign of low willpower.

Answer 8

Male or female...there is a certain look that tends to get the promotions. How many short CEOs do you see?

Answer 9

And good looking people are treated better in general. Suck it up, it's human nature.