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.

I dunno, I still could not bring myself to attach a photo to a resume for a nursing job. Pretty much all the places here have you apply online anyway.

I don't think I am model pretty, I don't feel I am ugly either, but when it comes to my personality, I do have a lot of confidence (nothing to do with my looks). 9 out of 10 times I have always gotten a job I went for as well. The only thing I didn't get was the internship this summer for the hospital and I didn't feel so bad when I found out only 3 people were chosen from my semester and 2 were on contracts with the hospital already (only previous Bachelors degrees could apply) and the other person works for the hospital as well already and they have already told her they had a job for her when she graduates.

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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.

Say, you wouldn't um....still have that photo would you?

:smokin:

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

It's a well-known fact that attractive people are going to be preferred to represent a company. The person hiring may/may not be aware that they are choosing the more attractive person, but 9 times out of 10 they'll pick the pretty one. This isn't just nsg...

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Specializes in psych, general, emerg, mash.

agreed! beautiful girls and boys DO get hired first. Just hope they are up to it intellectually! They maybe attractive and cute...but are they smart!

Open your eyes, and look around. You do not see ugly people in sales!

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Specializes in ER/Trauma, Home Care, Corrections.

It was that way 30 years ago, too! My advice? If you can't be beautiful, at least look professional and be well prepared. Just maybe you, Nancy Nurse will beat out Betty Bimbo for the job!

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Specializes in MS, LTC, Post Op.

The place I got hired at for my GN position has been accused of that, only hiring "beautiful" people...but they hired me so *shrug*.

I thnk alot of it has to do with confidence too...

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Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.
Say, you wouldn't um....still have that photo would you?

:smokin:

:rotfl:

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I have read all of the posts with great interest.You see, I am a Nurse Manager (over 19 years) in a Pediatric Facility and hire from 2-3 new graduate nurses/year. I usually have between 60-90 applications to wade through before I EVEN try to decide who to interview (read between the lines--I don't have a CLUE what people look like!). I look at background-volunteer work, past work experiences, but MOST IMPORTANT, I look at Clinical Instructor evaluations; they too do not mention appearances. I DO look to see if my interviewees are neat, clean and professional looking--doesn't have to be a suit, BUT I do not want to see wrinkles or unpolished shoes. Definitely do not want to see cleavage or crack if you bend over. Hair should be clean--don't wear a nose ring. I expect you to be nervous, but I should be able to see a love for nursing in your eyes. 4.0 looks good on paper, but can you translate your knowledge to real patients? Do you have critical thinking skills? If you don't know what it is, you don't have them. If you did a clinical on my area and my staff know enough about you to recommend you (Yes-you are applying for positions when you do clinicals!), then you IMMEDIATELY go to the top of my list.

It is NOT about appearances. This is a tough economy--you are competing with experienced RN's who may have not worked, or worked prn 2 years ago. I am looking for skill, ability to learn (that means knowing what you don't know), team spirit and a passion for nursing. Sell yourself to me...

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Another study....

If you wear glasses, wear the glasses - not contacts - to the interview. People wearing glasses are perceived as being more intelligent and often get higher offers. :) I never go to an interview without my glasses. In my 25 yrs working, I have only ONCE had an interview that didn't turn into a job offer.

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Specializes in Primary Care.

In my opinion, with my analyzations of people over numerous years... Most of those people that have "better" looks, per se, tend to have the confidence that follows those looks. If you think about it, those people that may not have been blessed with the better looks, had gone through some tough times because of that "prejudice" from other people over the years, thus beating down their self-esteem and leading to a lower self-confidence level. So, naturally, upon interviews and such, no matter how intelligent a person may be, if they lack self-confidence, the interviewer will always pick that up (even through the nervousness). From the interviewers standpoint, if a prospect employee has a lack of self-confidence, if hired, would that person be able to stand up to certain situations? Those are the things running through the minds of Interviewers. So, my best advice for those that may not have been blessed? Do things to give yourself better self-confidence or to amp up that self-esteem.

On the flip side, if a person that were blessed with the good looks, that person (naturally) tends to have a better outcome with people. Imagine this: You are lying in bed, having the most intense pain imaginable, a nurse that has her hair done beautifully, make up done just right, comes in with her sweet voice and helps you with pain-management.... You'd most likely be smiling back. Compared to a nurse that looks like she just came out of bed, didn't bother taking the time to do her hair or even apply any makeup, comes in with her sweet voice. You may or may not smile as quickly as the other nurse.

They say that impressions are made within the first 10 seconds of meeting a new person. That MUST be made into consideration when we go to these interviews.

There was a special on 20/20 many years ago, comparing the ractions of elementary students to two different teachers. One teacher was beautiful, dressed up, makeup and hair done, sweet voice, etc. The other teacher was dressed business, but no hair or makeup done, still sweet voice. The study showed that the teacher that had the "better" looks actually had an outstanding positive response from the children then did the other teacher. They both did the same exact activity with the children (reading a book) and with the so called "not blessed" teacher, the children didn't participate, were rolling around the classroom, talking amongst each other... Just being outright rude and disrespecting to the teacher. ....And these are young children we are talking about.

It's interesting how society puts a price on looks! It's also interesting how studies go to show how looks matter, especially in a field that deals with people on an everyday basis.

So, when it comes to interviewing, prior to, do whatever possible to boost up that self-confidence and self-esteem. It makes a tremendous difference!

Thanks for reading.

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I would beware of being attractive nurse among other ugly nurses (which are the majority 99% I'm afraid, and if they are not ugly yet they will be). I am an attractive nurse with 2 years experience who was bullied by all the other new grad nurses on the floor including mgmt. Started out as a new grad on the floor. About a year into it a CNA told me they didn't like me and that they were after my license. I thought to myself how could anyone "be after me" when I was so popular with patients (received thank you letters and gifts from them). And my nursing care was impeccable for someone at my level. Long story short they trumped up a phony "policy violation" and terminated me. In my opinion being attractive makes a person an easy target for abuse. Also, I am a rather "quiet" personality compared to the other personalities on this floor who by the are the majority are all new grads themselves!!! BE CAREFUL you attractive nurses!!!

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Another study....

If you wear glasses, wear the glasses - not contacts - to the interview. People wearing glasses are perceived as being more intelligent and often get higher offers. :) I never go to an interview without my glasses. In my 25 yrs working, I have only ONCE had an interview that didn't turn into a job offer.

Haha I should get myself a pair of fake glasses.

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