How Employers Judge Appearance When Considering Someone For A Promotion

Like it or not, employers judge your appearance. In a CareerBuilder poll, employers were asked what keeps them from promoting employees, and while attitude and attendance were definitely factors, they also had something to say about what employees wear.

Photo by startupstockphotos.com

CareerBuilder surveyed 2000 HR managers across the US. Sixty-two per cent said that both “a negative or pessimistic attitude” and showing up late for work can hurt an employee’s chance for a promotion. They also listed some appearance-based factors that might keep them from promoting an employee, though:

44% were less likely to promote an employee who wore provocative clothing to work.

43% were less likely to promote an employee who wore wrinkled clothes.

32% were less likely to promote an employee with piercings other than traditional ear piercings.

27% were less likely to promote an employee who frequently wore clothing that was too casual for the workplace.

Of course, a lot of this is subjective — it depends on the workplace and the employer — and some of it may seem antiquated, but it helps to know how employers think nonetheless. For more on the survey, head to CareerBuilder’s full post at the link below.

Employers Reveal the Top Factors Preventing Workers’ Chance of Promotion in New CareerBuilder Survey [CareerBuilder via Business Insider]