• Embracing PMS: Using Your
Personal Mission Statement
• Getting Enough Sleep: Living
the Dream
• Question of the Month: Are Looks
More Important Than Hard Work?
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• Embracing PMS: Using Your • Getting Enough Sleep: Living • Question of the Month: Are Looks |
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 Are looks more important to your career than smarts and hard work? In a recent blog post by Penelope Trunk, founder of Brazen Careerist, she contends that being attractive is more important to your career than your intelligence and hard work, citing a number of experts including Gordon Patzer’s book Looks: Why They Matter More Than You Ever Imagined. Trunk’s article goes as far as to suggests “we are on the cusp of another norm: plastic surgery,” suggesting young careerists might want to consider plastic surgery to improve their looks, and thus improve their career prospects. View Original Article: http://blogs.bnet.com/career-advice/?p=937 So what do you think about this: Do you believe looks will help your career more than smarts and hard work? We're sorry, but the comment box for this article has been closed. However, you may view the past discussion amongst your peers to see what they had to say ... |
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Your Responses:
It makes a difference. First impression speaks volumes, but it is unforunate that the ability is over looked for sex appeal. Sadly I would say looks as the first responds. But smarts and hard work is how you use looks. Everyone is looking good if they have confidence. Just most of us lack the confidence because our esteem is so low. If you work on the self esteem the confidence, and looks will come. When your content and at peace your confidence shows through your smile that makes you beautiful. Seeing how I was passed over twice for a position I helped trained the last person in, I do feel looks are a more important aspect in a person's career. If a woman is fit, well dressed and groomed she shows discipline and that trumps "looks". Yes I do think looks are more important, although I believe looks are more important if you also have the qualifications. Actually, that's the truth in life. We favor people/things/places that are more pleasing to the eye. Its human nature. There are alot of very intelligent woman in the world. When one maintains her looks and attire in a way that shows she cares about herself, that exhibits confidence and gives her an edge in the workplace. 20 years ago, my mother, newly divorced, mousy brown hair & outdated looks, couldn't find a job. She became a blonde, updated her look and never had any problems since. Now that she is gone, I have taken her advice and put my best face forward every day and try to keep my style updated. Looks may not be as important in the long run, but I do believe they count. I certainly don't evaluate my team based on looks! Looks, and by that I mean visual presentation, can play a positive and negative roll in any career and what you 'look like' should match how you wish to be seen. Beauty or unattractive alike may catch the eye, but may also keep one from seeing or learning more about the person. Best bet is to do the most with everything you have. Perhaps someone should teach "anonymous" (9:06) how to spell "definitely" and not worry about her looks!
Looks matter in the short-term. Appearance and presentation play a bigger role over the long term. But the real key to success in your career prospects is self-confidence. I think it is sad but true that look will get you further. When I was younger & thinner I know I got jobs because of my looks and i always wanted to be accepted for what is inside not my outer appearance. And as I got older and not quite as thin, it got tougher and that was a hard pill to swallow. Even socially the good looking people get all the attention. I don't know where some of these posters work, but I'm glad I haven't worked there! Are looks more important to your career than smarts and hard work?More important no. You can be beautiful all you want but without the smarts and hardwork to back it up then looks can only take you so far. But of course looks matter. Who doesnt want to work alongside a beautiful person? Nothing makes an impression as quickly as that "First Impression" and unfortunately that stuff is all on the surface. Yes, looks will help your career more than smarts and hard work. It's a shames, but it's the same with race, class and the other discriminatory practices that employers do everyday. I believe that looks make a difference when someone is hired, but brains and efficiency are more important long term. The way you feel about yourself is the most important. If you need to have some type of assistance and can afford it go for it. But beauty might get you in the door but if you have an attitude about it, it won't win you great co-workers. You & your outlook and attitude will Not necessarily. Brains and efficacy are more important when a company means serious business. I'm happy to say that this has NOT been true in my life! It definately makes a difference in your career. Your appearance speaks volumes about your character. I think that good looks may get you in the door; but it takes hard work and intelligence to stay there. Unfortunately, this is the case. |
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