Do hiring managers hire based on looks

Malthusian

Comms69 wrote: »

- Sorry but no, it's part of the whole thing. Many jobs wont require a suit and tie, but it's still expected at interview - first impressions matter

If suits and ties were inherently sexy, they would sell magazines with nothing but pictures of people in work attire. And tweenage boys would pore over the smart workwear section of the mail order catalogues instead of the lingerie section.

People do things that are expected at interview to signal they will continue doing the things that are expected in the job.

Physical attractiveness is entirely different.

The key thing is to treat the interview as a two way street, too many candidates go in trying to be good enough for the job, but actually the company must be the right fit for the person

Depends how highly you value yourself and whether that valuation is accurate. For most people a job is a job.

yksi

I got a job once by being the less attractive one that went to the interview (which I found out later on... despite my competition being FAR more experienced... but don't worry, I burned down that house by laying out all the idiotic things that this particular manager was doing to ruin their business and I got him sacked).

The reality is that almost all of us in this world aren't model material, the average person is just average. And it's ok. It's perfectly ok. Because the far more attractive trait is being good with people. I'm now in a customer-facing role where I'm called darling, angel, beautiful, lovely, etc, all day and every day by dozens of people, and it has nothing to do with looks or body, and everything to do with demeanor. Even the most crooked smile will light up a very average face as long as it comes with kindness and a willingness to help.

90% of success at interview is in confidence and "gelling" with the person asking the questions. By that point, your CV has already made you suitable for the job - interviewers usually select between applicants based on gut feel. They will even subconsciously take better notes for someone they're getting along well with on a personal level. Practice answering interview questions and injecting friendly small talk into it - I know it's not easy when you're nervous, but the ability to fake feeling comfortable is a huge asset.

soraya55

Thank you all for your replies. Yes I do need to try to be more confident in interviews. I do find it difficult and you would think with age it would get easier but somehow I think I am now worse at interviews than I was 20 years ago!

Comms69

Malthusian wrote: »

If suits and ties were inherently sexy, they would sell magazines with nothing but pictures of people in work attire. - I didn't say sexy it's part of the image you portray, but certainly suits are a common theme in attractiveness. e.g. weddings. And tweenage boys would pore over the smart workwear section of the mail order catalogues instead of the lingerie section. - teenage boys are by their nature rebellious.

People do things that are expected at interview to signal they will continue doing the things that are expected in the job. - I agree with that.

Physical attractiveness is entirely different. - sort of. I'm not saying it's exclusive, but for most interviews the routine is haircut, shave, smart shirt, nice suit, clean shoes, nice aftershave etc. and for many women it's make up, hair, nice jewelry, as well as smart clothes.
Depends how highly you value yourself and whether that valuation is accurate. For most people a job is a job.

Sure, I don't think we necessarily disagree as such - just perhaps put a different emphasis on 'the look'