Looks over résumés: why attractive people are more likely to get ahead in their careers

It turns out that landing a good job or getting a promotion may depend not only on experience, skills and work results. Appearance can also influence a career — and in the age of social media, this is becoming increasingly noticeable.

The Guardian spoke to people from a range of professions — from lawyers and construction workers to welders and media employees — to find out how strongly appearance affects professional life. It is not only about clothing or a neat hairstyle: people are increasingly viewing their own appearance as part of their personal brand and professional reputation.

Researchers call this the «beauty premium» — an advantage that more attractive people may receive in hiring, performance evaluations and pay. However, the effect is far from the same across all professions. For example, studies show that it is particularly noticeable in jobs involving constant interaction with people, while a clear link may be absent in professions primarily associated with data and information.

Some studies do indeed find differences in income. In a study of the German labour market, the average «beauty premium» was estimated at around 2–4% for women and 5–7% for men, although a significant share of the difference was explained by other characteristics of the workers as well. It would therefore be too simplistic to claim that an attractive person automatically receives a higher salary.

But today a new problem is emerging — the standard for a «professional appearance» itself is rising. Social media have turned many specialists into public-facing brands: clients and employers can assess a person even before meeting them in person, simply by looking at their photos and profiles. As a result, grooming, skin, figure, hairstyle and overall appearance are beginning to be seen as part of professional capital.

This is also driving growing interest in cosmetology and aesthetic medicine. Botox, fillers, skincare treatments, weight-loss medications and plastic surgery are gradually ceasing to be seen exclusively as tools of show business. For some people, they are becoming a kind of investment in their personal image — especially when their work depends directly on public visibility and communication with clients.

The result is a paradox: formally, the modern labour market should assess people based on their skills, but the visual age is creating an additional criterion. It is not enough to be a professional — increasingly, there is a sense that one must also look like a successful professional. And the more closely a job is tied to personal branding and social media, the more noticeable this «appearance premium» becomes.