Let’s talk about sales for a minute. Have you ever spent time as a salesperson? It’s not easy. Sales is a brutal field where you pretty much have to coast along your charisma and looks in order to make ends meet. Short of fashion, media, and modeling, I’d go so far as to say that sales is the most looks-based field you can go into.
Think about it. In sales, everything is about the kind of connection you have with the person you’re trying to sell to. If people don’t like the person you present yourself as, they literally won’t buy from you. It’s not just an opinion; it’s a fact that has been repeatedly backed up by studies.
Sales isn’t the only field where your looks matter, either. Sociologists and economists have shown that people who are more attractive earn an average of 13 percent more than their unattractive peers. They are also more likely to get hired, and more likely to get a raise than unattractive people are.
In a looksism-rich society that often punctuates its beliefs through cash, it’s understandable why people are investing more and more time into their appearance. This has led to a spike in plastic surgery requests from both men and women, and people are beginning to wonder if going under the knife is an investment worth making.
Looking hirable goes beyond clothes and a haircut.
Being clean cut is a prerequisite if you want to get a decent job in a corporate environment, but let’s talk about the nuances of what clean-cut really means. Obviously, it deals with clothing and personal hygiene, but there’s more to it than that. Studies show that employers also look at a person’s physical appearance and face when they decide to hire someone.
Multiple research efforts reveal that employers associate certain traits with different body types. People who are slender to average weight are seen as more capable, in control, and presentable than obese people. They are also viewed as more likeable and more worthy of compensation.
One study showed that physically attractive people make about 12 percent more than their unattractive peers. When it came to sales in real estate, the very same study revealed that you can accurately predict who will make the most sales based on how good they look.
Ageism, though technically illegal, is still alive and well in work culture. The younger a person looks, the more likely it is that they’ll be able to avoid discrimination due to their age. Knowing this, it’s easy to see why people are starting to feel the pressure to get a little Botox, rhinoplasty, or liposuction to make their careers work out.
It’s an old Hollywood method that’s seeping into “regular life.”
In Hollywood, the concept of getting work done to further your career is almost a rite of passage. It’s even become commonplace for celebrities to hawk certain procedures to fans for a little extra money. But, is it starting to seep into real life? You might be surprised.
“I’ve not only seen an increase in people requesting cosmetic surgery to improve their social media and selfie photos, but also for career reasons” says Dr. Philip J. Miller, NYC based Facial Plastic Surgeon who specializes in Rhinoplasty in NYC. “Anything from rhinoplasty, to help a salesperson look more photogenic or gain more self-confidence, to getting Botox as an anti-aging agent, cosmetic work isn’t just for models anymore.”
But is it worth it?
Like with any other major life decision, people tend to view plastic surgery as an investment. Most people who get surgery love the results, but whether that translates into a paycheck might be a grey area.
First impressions matter in sales, and 55 percent of your first impression is based on your looks. Moreover, 97 percent of people don’t want salespeople to do the talking. So, perhaps it is a wise idea to let your looks talk for you.
The studies on the “Pretty Premium” employers are willing to pay says volumes about the difference a little cosmetic surgery can make in a paycheck, not to mention treatment in the workplace. That being said, it all boils down to the individual and how they use their new look to work for them.
The rewards for going under the knife are definitely there, if you want to pursue them. Dr. Miller said it best: “Plastic surgery can help open up doors, but it’s up to you to walk through them and use your assets to their full extent.”
