Attractive Students Being Hired First

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It has been painfully obvious at my school that the students that look like super models got GN jobs right away. Yeah the average looking students are starting to get job now too but they didn't land the first job they interviewed for like the good looking students did. How unfair is that. Has anyone else seen this at their school?

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
You know, I have to disagree with this thread. I consider myself to be attractive in the typical way (slim, blonde, blue eyes) and let me tell you that I have applied to over 50 jobs and had no luck. I have a Bachelor's, ACLS, NRP, graduated with honors, held an internship...and NOTHING. I even tried to put a professional photo on my resume to see if that would give me an edge (you've got to do anything in this economy) and it hasn't helped me one bit.

I am honestly starting to think that I should be overweight and frumpy so I fit the typical nursing description, maybe then I'll land a job! I resent people on here thinking that because you are attractive you have a better chance in nursing. Experience is king...I sure wish I could get some!

Totally not trying to be rude, if I was in HR and someone attached a photo to a resume,I would can it. It's an RN job not a casting call for a modeling agency or for acting.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
Totally not trying to be rude, if I was in HR and someone attached a photo to a resume,I would can it. It's an RN job not a casting call for a modeling agency or for acting.

With ya 100% on this one, J :D

-D

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
I am honestly starting to think that I should be overweight and frumpy so I fit the typical nursing description, maybe then I'll land a job! !

Are you kidding me? Please tell me you are... This is laughable. I would be offended if it weren't so ridiculous. :uhoh3:

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Just curious, are the interviewers men or women, or both? As a female responsible for hiring HHA's, LPN's, RN's, and office staff for our Home Health Agency, I have to say, I look at the whole package. I have applicants who twirl their tongue studs around while they talk, some who wear provocative clothing so as to show off their tattoos, men who haven't shaved or bothered to comb their hair, some come wearing pajamas, and one very attractive woman had her clothing worn inside out. So in one sense, how a person presents him/herself is important. I'm looking for someone who is a professional. I look for people who want to work and who love what they are doing. A less attractive woman who tells me she changed professions after taking care of a dying relative or friend is going to get the job before some pretty face will. I usually ask myself if I would want this person to take care of me or my loved ones. If the answer is no, then I show them the door.

It makes me sick to think that people are using attractiveness as the criteria for hire. I personally would not want to work for someone who does this anyway. I think that's really a sad commentary for the health profession.

They have obviously not learned that is much easier to hire someone then it is to fire them.

Kyasi

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"Totally not trying to be rude, if I was in HR and someone attached a photo to a resume,I would can it. It's an RN job not a casting call for a modeling agency or for acting."

I actually had someone do this. She was a new HHA and attached a Glamour shot type picture to a very professionally but overdone resume bound in a purple binder. She didn't get hired!!

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
"Totally not trying to be rude, if I was in HR and someone attached a photo to a resume,I would can it. It's an RN job not a casting call for a modeling agency or for acting."

I actually had someone do this. She was a new HHA and attached a Glamour shot type picture to a very professionally but overdone resume bound in a purple binder. She didn't get hired!!

I would be so embarrassed to do that.

Maybe when I go apply for jobs I will make sure I get a shot of me in a bikini (actually that might have the opposite effect) or a pic showing lots of cleavage. :|

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
"Totally not trying to be rude, if I was in HR and someone attached a photo to a resume,I would can it. It's an RN job not a casting call for a modeling agency or for acting."

I actually had someone do this. She was a new HHA and attached a Glamour shot type picture to a very professionally but overdone resume bound in a purple binder. She didn't get hired!!

Gah! Some people just don't "get it", do they?

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You'd actually be surprised at how well the photo on the resume does work. When you are competing for jobs with 500-1000 applicants (in California), it helps to put a face with credentials. The only jobs I have been called back for are the ones I've included my photo on. I've submitted resumes with and without, and the photo works for getting calls back. I am quite frustrated that I still don't have a job, but a call back is something. These are desperate times and sometimes you have to think outside the box. I think that even if you aren't a traditionally attractive person, a photo of yourself smiling in your scrubs or just a nice headshot can make a difference.

This is just my opinion and what has been my experience. Laugh at it or not, it works for lawyers, realtors, and doctors to have their faces in magazines and advertisements...why wouldn't it work for other professions? Especially in such bad times...

As far as the frumpy comment, sorry to offend anyone but I actually had a patient tell me I was too pretty to be a nurse. This was really insulting and made me doubt myself. Sometimes I feel like recruiters are looking for the traditional housewife type and that being attractive has actually hindered me. I suppose only time will tell and I'll keep trying both resumes to see what ultimately lands me a job.

The bottom line is that it doesn't matter how attractive you are or not - it its your confidence, skills and experience that will get you the job in the end.

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Ok, I'll concede that perhaps an appropriate picture might help in some cases... but the picture I was referring to was a very sexy pose, lots of make up, and hair done like she was ready for a model runway.

I'm surprised to hear that there is such a shortage of nursing jobs. I can't hire enough for my agency. I know last year I had a case management position open and had several nurses apply who had been laid off from the hospital. They had been with the hospital for 30+ years in education and had no home care experience at all. The were expecting to find a job with the same pay they were getting previously and of course, I wouldn't/couldn't match that. They continued in their search and I often wondered what they finally found.

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I have to agree that maybe the more "attractive" people have more confidence. I mean, you are saying they are more attractive than you, so that shows a lack of confidence.

If you do not feel good about your appearance, then do something about it. Not for anyone else, but for yourself. Not that I'm saying to go all "Heidi Montag" and completely change yourself, but sometimes we all need a makeover of some form. Hey, I had wretched teeth. My mom couldn't afford braces. So when I was 18 I got a job, and saved up enough money over 2 summers to pay for a smile makeover(aka veneers.) Doing that gave me confidence. I did it for myself, no one else. And that was one of the best decisions I ever made.

If you don't feel confident, it shows, whether you try to hide it or not. It's an unconscious behavior.

However, I'm not saying that all employers don't judge by appearance. If you go to a plastic surgery office, you will not see an overweight individual with poor skin.

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Ok, I'll concede that perhaps an appropriate picture might help in some cases... but the picture I was referring to was a very sexy pose, lots of make up, and hair done like she was ready for a model runway.

Whoa! :lol2:

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I have to agree that maybe the more "attractive" people have more confidence. I mean, you are saying they are more attractive than you, so that shows a lack of confidence.

If you do not feel good about your appearance, then do something about it. Not for anyone else, but for yourself. Not that I'm saying to go all "Heidi Montag" and completely change yourself, but sometimes we all need a makeover of some form. Hey, I had wretched teeth. My mom couldn't afford braces. So when I was 18 I got a job, and saved up enough money over 2 summers to pay for a smile makeover(aka veneers.) Doing that gave me confidence. I did it for myself, no one else. And that was one of the best decisions I ever made.

If you don't feel confident, it shows, whether you try to hide it or not. It's an unconscious behavior.

However, I'm not saying that all employers don't judge by appearance. If you go to a plastic surgery office, you will not see an overweight individual with poor skin.

I agree with this one...confidence is very important but it is something you can learn over time.When I had my first nursing interview I totally blew it--I had no clue what to answer when being asked questions.Next time it got better,today it is a piece of cake..during my latest interview things went so smooth,easy going and I felt so laid back and relaxed and even made some jokes in addition to answering questions--talking about improving from my first interview--yes I think appearance matters and the interviewer would love to hire good looking people however there is something more important than looks-warm personality that can shine through your appearance and smarts,I mean come on job is a job,we dont get paid for our appearance but for our knowledge right?! Also I do agree that if you dont like something about yourself than try to change instead of complaining about it,what ever this may be.BUT confidence is the key..Also I would never attach my photo to the resume.

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