How advantageous is it to look good when it comes to job search? If you really have the ‘goods’ from a qualifications perspective, does it matter all that much that you might be in the running against someone who is much more attractive than you are or “shows” better than you do? According to research, people unknowingly characterize good-looking people with positive traits, including intelligence, honesty, and kindness. This reaction is automatic – people don’t even realize that they are doing it. According to Robert Cialdini, author of Influence, “good-looking equals good.” While this concept scares him, he points to similar instances of attractive people obtaining positions in government, the judicial system, and yes, hiring.

I recognize we are feeding into stereotypes here, but appearance, sophistication, dress, and overall presentation play a very big role during the career search process. Isn’t that discrimination? Probably so – but whether it is or isn’t discrimination is not the point. The fact is, hiring managers and people in general make decisions based on these things. Appearance matters more than we admit or would like to think. It has a lot to do with how people treat you. Obviously, you cannot make yourself better looking without going under the knife; BUT you can make yourself look better.

Tips for the Men:

Shine your shoes, shave, and wear a suit and tie that match; trim your fingernails; make sure your hair is neat; trim your beard or moustache if you have one. If you are fashion challenged, solicit the help of someone that isn’t! Get advice from your wife or girlfriend, or a friend that has some style.

For the Women:

Make sure your hair and makeup is done. Dress appropriately in a nice pant or skirt suit. Keep nails trimmed and polished in a neutral color. Don’t overdo it with the perfume. You want to smell nice without needing all of the office windows open to tone down the waft of perfume you leave in your wake.

In hiring situations one study found that good grooming of applicants in a simulated interview accounted for more favorable hiring decisions that did job qualifications – this even though the interviewers claimed that appearance played a small role in their choices (Mack & Rainey, 1990).

During the job search process you want to give yourself every opportunity to succeed. This means that in addition to being qualified, an attractive and presentable appearance will certainly work in your favor.