Can’t get a job? Maybe you should change your hair.
That’s what some European job hunters have resorted to. According to a survey released by CareerBuilder‘s UK branch, 46% of workers in Europe who lost their jobs within the last year have altered their appearance to aid in the interviewing process.
About 1,000 people were polled and the most wide-spread change (about 18% of those surveyed) was to wear nicer clothes or apparel that makes them look older or younger. Smaller percentages say they have lost weight, changed their hair style or color, worn more make-up, or whitened their teeth.
A handful of respondents say they made more drastic changes such as cosmetic injections, plastic surgery, and tattoo removal. Yikes!
And the changes have spilled over into cyberspace with about 30% of those polled saying they updated their profiles on online social networking Web site to appear more professional.
We all know that appearance matters when interviewing. Don’t think so? Then why didn’t you wear your favorite ratty sweats last time you interviewed for a job you really wanted? You know why. It might not be fair, but attractiveness has an impact on our careers. Still, I’m pretty sure I won’t be asking myself if plastic surgery is right for my career. Sheesh.
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