We all know that a great education, a strong work history, solid references, and a polished interview experience can help land that dream job. However, what happens when 50 or 100 other people have the same qualities? Human resources must use some other criteria to decide. It seems reasonable that they may choose a potential employee based on their appearance in face, in body, or both. But is it really reasonable? Will cosmetic surgery help job hunters land jobs?
Does your appearance affect your salary?
Researchers have asked this very question and published the results in the Journal of Labor Economics and other peer-reviewed journals. While beauty may be in the eye of the Beholder, it is in the eye of the boss, too. Very attractive people earn about 10 percent more annually than their homely colleagues. It is not just about the money, either. Pretty people get promotions over unpretty (less pretty, what is the kind phrase here?) employees. It is not fair at all—but it happens. The question that remains is if there is a link between job seekers and cosmetic surgery, especially in the current state of the economy.
Will cosmetic surgery help job hunters land jobs?
Most people know to dress for an interview. A professional job requires a conservative suit, well-tailored with the right accessories. Women will spend a significant amount of time and money on cosmetics to prepare for an interview. Men will make sure they are properly groomed with a recent haircut and a proper shave. But when is it necessary to take it to the next level and seek cosmetic surgery to get that extra competitive edge?
Of course there are certain jobs where physical attributes are clearly part of the selection criteria, such as when a person is trying to work as an actor or an exotic dancer. There are clear areas when job seekers and cosmetic surgery are thick as thieves. But for most people, the connection will be more subtle. If you suspect that the HR department is looking for younger employees rather than experience, certain cosmetic procedures aimed at turning back the clock may offer an advantage. A little BOTOX or dermal filler may give the appearance of youthful vitality rather than wizened sagacity. The benefit to one of these procedures as a means to getting hired is that the effects will be gone in 3 to 12 months.
Catch 22
The old conundrum used to be: how do I get a job without experience and how do I get experience without a job? While that still applies (sadly) the new Catch 22 is: how do I afford plastic surgery without a job and how do I get a job without plastic surgery. While it may not be that bleak, it certainly seems like it at times. It is a calculation and a bit of a gamble. Some people spend tens of thousands on education to get a better job. Does it make sense to spend tens of thousands on cosmetic surgery to get a better job (or any job)?
Right now no one can answer this question in every case. However, if you are a job seeker and cosmetic surgery was already on the horizon, you may consider the procedure a job seeking expense (good luck on selling that deduction to the IRS, though). Will cosmetic surgery help job hunters land jobs? That still remains to be seen; however, if the surgery is done expertly and as part of the bigger goal of improving appearance, it is reasonable to think it could help in the job market.