by Lauren Shapiro*

No one said it’s fair but your appearance at work can give you a lot more than a complimentary coffee at Starbucks. What you wear and how you look can be beneficial or detrimental to your advancement, both in status and in salary. Physical appearance is one of the first non-verbal cues that we exude. How the recipient subconsciously or sometimes consciously interprets our outward appearance determines how we are perceived as workers, clients, bosses, etc.

Many researchers have begun to delve into the obscure world of physical attractiveness in correlation to societal benefits. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder; however, certain characteristics stand out as key players in “Darwinizing” the workplace, some of which include weight, youthfulness, and overall perceived attractiveness.

Deemed the Physical Attractiveness Phenomenon, the allocation of perceived characteristics to an individual based on how they look is something that happens every day. Dr. Gordon L. Patzer, explains that appearance acts as an informational cue (via nonverbal communication). As the nonverbal cues are interpreted by our bosses, coworkers, etc, information is inferred and assumptions, expectations, and/or attitudes are triggered – resulting in effects that are more positive for individuals with a higher physical attractiveness.

According to a Work & Power Survey conducted by Elle/MSNBC.com, bosses who were perceived as attractive were found to be more competent, collaborative, and better delegators. “Perception is key,” explains Ken Siegel in this Forbes.com article. Favorable qualities are assigned to individuals we find attractive and unfavorable qualities to those who we find unattractive.

How you are perceived in the workplace is entirely up to you. According to Sandy Dumont of Image Architect, “You never have the advantage when dressed casually. You look like you’re careless or have careless attitude.” Another suggestion to improving your in-office image is taking care of your hair, skin, nails and teeth.

Here are some interesting stats as they relate to perceived attractiveness and professional advancement:

• A study by Cornell University revealed that white women who gained up to 64 pounds experienced wage decreases up to 9 percent
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that obese individuals can experience wage losses up to 12 percent. While individuals who were deemed “attractive” made up to 10 percent more annually
• A study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that 73 percent of females felt youth (or looking youthful) significantly affected them getting a job, being promoted, or keeping a client

Do you think perceived “attractiveness” can affect the dynamics of a relationship between a PR professional and their client? Are you more or less likely to sign a contract with an “attractive” sales rep? In your personal experience, have you observed the effects of the Physical Attractiveness Phenomenon?

*Bio: Soon after graduating from the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, in 2006 with a B.A. in communication and a B.S. in business/marketing, I joined the BurrellesLuce client services team. In 2008, I completed my master’s degree in corporate and organizational communications and now work as the supervisor of BurrellesLuce Express client services. I am passionate about researching and understanding the role of email in shaping relationships from a client relation/service standpoint as well as how miscommunication occurs within email, which was the topic of my thesis. Through my posts on Fresh Ideas, I hope to educate and stimulate thoughtful discussions about corporate communications and client relations, further my own knowledge on this subject area, as well as continue to hone my skills as a communicator. Twitter: @_LaurenShapiro_ LinkedIn: laurenrshapiro Facebook: BurrellesLuce