subject: Are Good Looking People More Successful in Interviews? [print this page] Are Good Looking People More Successful in Interviews?
You may have read about the halo effect', presumably emanating from good looking people, positively affecting the outcome of an interview. It is an effect said to give attractive people an advantage over others when qualifications and experience are more or less equal. Whether this effect exists or not and whether it has a bearing on the result of an interview is beside the point.
The real question should be, what is it about perceived good looking people that may influence the outcome of an interview? After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder so scientifically we probably couldn't even agree on who is good looking, let alone decide whether their looks influence the outcome.
The other problem with this question is that the focus is squarely on the wrong party. Whilst the interviewee is the subject of the controversy, it is the interviewers who are the decision makers and ultimately make the judgement for better or for worse. And hence whilst we sit and analyse whether or not we harbour shallow thoughts about appearances, the real subject the employer remains faceless.
But the truth is that employers are people too. They include teams who have established work dynamics, relationships and friendships already in place. Another body will soon join these dynamics and either blend in harmoniously or disrupt the environment.
More than likely, it is the confidence and approachability that a good looking person portrays that forms the perception of an easier transition into the team. And it is this perception that eventually translates to a job offer because the interviewing team consciously or subconsciously feel that this confident, friendly person would fit nicely into the group dynamics.
So if this hypothesis is correct then the real lesson for job seekers is not to be more attractive, rather, to be more approachable and friendly. After all, let's not be nave, there are many attractively challenged' workers out there in the workforce. Many of them have great jobs, I know this because I've worked with lots of them. ; )
And to wrap up the article neatly, the answer to the original question are good looking people are more successful in interviews?' should be a definitive yes'. But not because they are good looking, rather because they are comfortable within themselves appearing relaxed, happy and approachable. And this in turn helps to make the interviewers feel as though they will fit more easily into the team.
