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LOOKS MATTER. OF course they matter. They shouldn’t. But they do. We’re always told “don’t judge a book by its cover”, but we do precisely that.
All day. Everyday.
We hoover up bits of information conveyed by someone’s height, someone’s clothing, someone’s manner. We analyse them in nano seconds. And we make decisions about them – quick as lightning. We have to.
The capacity to make decisions quickly about new people, to answer that question: “Friend or foe?” is the strand in our DNA that, in Neanderthal times, decided whether we lived or died. Or procreated.
We don’t do it consciously. But we register quite subtle bits of information about each other all the time. First impressions are the foundation for having an impact. Some of them we can control. Some of them we can’t.
Height among CEOs
Take, for example, the issue of men and height. In the US population, about 14.5% of all men are six feet or over. Among CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, that number is 58%.
The University of Florida has found that for every extra inch of height a tall worker can expect to earn an extra $789 per year. So, with two equally skilled people, the one who is six inches taller can expect a pay difference of $5,000 or so.
None of that is fair on guys who are short. It’s just the reality.
And it’s not just height. A similar bias applies to women with blonde hair. In 2010, Queensland University studied 15,000 Caucasian women and found that blondes earn 7% more than women with any other hair colour. The difference in pay remained the same even when other factors such as height, weight and education were removed.
They weren’t able explain why blonde-haired women earn more, but found no other hair colour produced similar results.
The University of Messina set out to see if physical appearance played a part during the first stage of the hiring process. They sent out more than 11,000 CVs for 1,542 roles across Italy using the same resume and changing only first-name, last-name, address, and the photo.
The overall callback rate was 30%, but the researchers found that good looking women had a callback rate of 54% and handsome men 47%.
However, recently researchers from University College London’s School of Management found that men who are blessed with traditional good looks were considered competent but were less likely to be promoted by men as they are deemed a threat to their male rivals.
First impressions
Either way, looks matter more than they should.
Unless you’re casting a model, choosing someone based on their looks is a daft and dangerous strategy. Firstly, you’re not getting the most skilled person for the role. For example the 29th US President Warren Harding, who is widely viewed as one of the worst US presidents, was chosen by Republicans because he looked ‘presidential’.
The other reason why it’s a dangerous strategy is staff morale. Once staff get a sniff of an unfair bias based on looks, or a similar irrelevancy, trust and respect is eroded.
Interestingly, some orchestras have begun to do auditions behind screens so to remove any gender bias. Similarly, Microsoft and Unilever in Mexico are testing this approach for the first three minutes of their interviews so first impressions are based only on what they hear.
Aside from having a screen at interviews what companies need to do is train their people how to interview and assess candidates objectively. From my experience of working with panels, they often don’t have a rashers what they’re doing. They don’t know what to ask, how to ask it, how to follow up, how to listen and most importantly how to assess a candidate.
This of course leads to their subjective preferences coming through. And the wrong candidate getting the job.
For candidates, there’s a piece of work too. As far as I know, you can’t make yourself taller and dying your hair blonde is pretty extreme. So what can you do?
The first is you shouldn’t have a photo on your CV. Unless you’re specifically asked for one, or are going for that modelling job, don’t bother. It’s irrelevant, and gives the recruiter an excuse to disqualify you.
Secondly, you should turn up appropriately turned out for the job you’re going for.
Think about it. You probably wouldn’t turn up for a job in a bank in a pair of Crocs and a high-vis, nor would you turn up for a job in Top Shop dressed like you’re going for a job as an accountant.
The rule of thumb on clothes is simple. Don’t wear anything that’s louder than you are. Your competence should be louder than your clothes. That’s it. That’s all. Don’t wear something so self-expressive, that it sidelines you.
Most importantly however is that, whether you’re George Clooney or Gollum, you need to be completely prepared for the interview. Understand the role that you’re applying for, know the company that you’re applying to, anticipate the questions and have relevant specific achievements, examples and evidence to back up your case.
Practice it out loud and get comfortable saying it. And make it absolutely, and objectively clear that you’re the best person for job.
Failing that, dye your hair and wear heels.
Eoghan McDermott is a Director of The Communications Clinic and is Head of Training and Careers there. He is author of The Career Doctor. @EoghanMcDermott.
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No. Please stop with all the articles about food. Let people eat what they want in peace
Afraid people might learn something?
@: I would stop caring if our healthcare wasn’t subsidised/free. For every person that fails to control their eating habits, we all foot the bill.
@: I would agree, but don’t see it as limited to food.
@Sean Murphy:
Could argue similarly about citizen’s sexual habits, driving habits, drinking habits, sporting habits, smoking habits, drug smoking habits and most critically their voting habits….all considered!!
@P.J. Nolan: You can’t be babysitting people
@Sean Murphy: 10 megacompanies control the food industry in the west.
Supermarket aisles are full of sugary processed foods that cause long-term damage to most people’s health, particularly young people who have grown up since the massive influx of highly processed foods that are stuffed full of salt, sugar and trans fats because these are cheaper than quality ingredients, have a long shelf-life, exploit human biology and maximise profit. It’s not down to individuals making the right decision. Cost is the number one factor and many people cannot afford to buy healthy food any more. That’s a government problem to fix and consecutive health ministers have failed miserably for decades on this.
@: Too much salt in the diet causes blood clotting and strokes – it’s a major issue in the west as processed foods are full of salt to give bland ingredients some semblance of taste.
@james rowan: And salt, any view on that?
I don’t even check the salt content of salt.
@Chris O’Brien: probably about 40% after it’s cut and mixed with baby powder
@James Lyons:
Maltose is sweet too….Na….tiz all about D-Sodi-yum!
Terrible the government giving that kip rte more money should be closed down and the land sold ,I’ve never bought a TV license and never will
@: You actually have no right to an opinion if you have never bought a license…..and you are typical of the moaners in here.I find the people who moan the most contribute the least.
@uUleRhCu: every one should stop paying and get dodgy boxes great job
@: I’d say you pay for very little and whinge that you don’t get enough entitlements and that we have crap services and the country is a kip.
@uUleRhCu: yes and I buy lots of drink and smokes and sniff and don’t work
What has that to do with salt?
@uUleRhCu:
A bit like all the overpaid talent neutral parasites that present most of their stock shows and those who have run the Montrose Mafia franchise…..into the very grounds they’ll soon be selling off in order to keep the Wonderly Wagon chuggin’ along!!
Checked the salt content of a packet of Cup Of Soup – and it’s the entire daily allowance in 1 day.
I keep a food diary on my kitchen counter.
Very rarely would I buy a sauce in a jar – full of salt and sugar.
I make my own sauces and they are mighty fine.
When I do go out or eat sauce from a jar it’s almost inedible now that I am used to much lower salt/sugar content.
Me mouth is still open from the RTE funding article
@Vincent Wallace: Don’t you mean firing article? 400 jobs gone, it’s what you wanted no?
That’s right Tubs
@Thesaltyurchin: Over 4 years, plenty of bloated positions in RTE that can be gone, matter of fact they should scatter that entity to the winds and sell Montrose and other holdings.
@Tom L: you really think it’s gonna be the top earners who get fired? Oh boy you’ve a lot to learn about this country
@Martin Mongan: Nah, but I’m sure they have plenty of ‘assistants’
Pretty easy to do with the RDA graphics on most food products. It can be sometimes surprising to see you can only eat 1/4 of a pizza before going over the RDA limit.
@Susa delrosario: Traffic light system would be better – red for any food product with more than 10% of daily intake in one serving.
According to our expert, Senator Lynn Ruane, the amount of salt one consumes is a reliable index of male whyht priviloyidge [sic].
@Antóin Ó Cumamothóin: lol that one of the wokest things I ever heard.
@: Salt is racist!!!
I refuse to answer this question until they give us a definitive answer on the eggs good/bad thing.
Snore.
@Iano C: SALT TAX INCOMING!!!
Try not to live your life in fear.
Aromat and crushed mixed pepper on eggs……*Homer drool* ;@}
Can’t beat good salt
@Argus Romsworth: compared to bad salt, yes, I agree wholeheartedly..
@Argus Romsworth:
Especially in your overnight IV drip for staving off hangovers etc….it’s only whopporrrhhh!!
There’s an app on the iPhone (and probably Android too) called Yuka. We usually scan every new item we buy – just to see if it’s healthy. It’s amazing how many are really unhealthy, with many containing potential carcinogens. On the positive side, we often find that the new ones are quite healthy. For some products that are not healthy, there are alternative recommendations. Many products that are bad or unhealthy tend to be high in salt or MSG.
“No. Please stop with all the articles about food. Let people eat what they want in peace”
May I ask you how this article disturbs anybody’s peace whilst eating?
What a weak troll mind. So easily triggered.
No. Nor do I like paying a double tax.
Yes, but the levels of sugar in food are far more worrying, and it is ‘hidden’ in a multitude of terms. Sugar, Glucose, Sucrose, Fructose, Glucose Syrup, Corn Syrup, Honey, Concentrated Fruit Extract, etc, etc. Some breakfast cereals and ‘healthfood’ bars are almost 30% sugar. Pizzas also have crazy levels.
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: Hence the increased salt in a lot of these very same foods.
High in sugar does cover the salt = they have to add more salt to the stuff.
I’m waiting for a post about how females are forced to consume/do without more/less salt than males and how unfair it is.
@Pato: yes indeed it’s called SRM – Salt Related Misogyny. The culture of men putting salt on their food in front of women is making them feel uncomfortable so they end up eating chocolate to relieve the stress which makes them fat, so that’s men’s fault as well etc. . .
So Israel have admitted that their bombing is now resulting directly in killing Israeli hostages.
I always check the salt content. And sugar. And the rest. Foolish not to!
@Tom Dillon: Certainly, just as one would with pharmaceuticals & vaccines.
@Antóin Ó Cumamothóin:
And especially ropey ‘alternative’ homeopathic alchemy tripe, livestock wormers and Hydroxy-Chloro-whim etc etc! ;~}
Not arsed, I want to enjoy my life, if a bit of salt is what does me in then fair play to it. Live by the sword die by the sword
I avoid processed foods regardless, salt content is the least concerning when it comes to processed muck. If one digs deep enough one can find the gaslighting behind this salt debate.
Graham Pickett Corrupt HR Pr!ck: While munching a McDonald’s, make sure to check the salt content! It’s the salt that’ll kill ya
What even is a good diet nowadays. Genuine question. Breakfast lunch and dinner ideas please.. or only one meal a day is it ?
@Emer Daly:
Self-heating by eating blended stews and coddles through thine neighbour’s glory portal!
Whatever you’re into..
Most stuff would be inedible without salt. Or at least wouldn’t be as tasty.
Try cabbage bacon and spuds sauce included without salt.
Salt is not bad for you. Suger and a bad diet is. Simple ..
Not gonna lie, salt is my biggest vice.
@Gearoid MacEachaidh: You must have so many wild and varied experiences to draw on for commentary.
@Antóin Ó Cumamothóin: Salt is the spice of life
What’s the point? Labels lie all the time.
@Anna Carr (Morrigan_Dubh): care to explain? Smaller producers might get away with some variations at time, but I’m sure the big ones are under regular scrutiny even from independent consumer agencies.
Do yourself a favour and cut out salts like monosodium glutamate and sodium nitrate.
On the one hand I prefer to make my own decisions instead instead of having to follow the dictates of the powers that be. On the other hand there is the (possibly) avoidable risk of premature disease that could clog up hospital beds and make burial directors prematurely wealthy. I am not sure that the case against salt has been proven.
have your say