Job Search Tips – Job Seekers Iron Out the Wrinkles


Job seekers can now add Botox to the job search checklist just after resume, LinkedIn profile, and cover letter. In an increasingly youth-obsessed culture, job seekers look to physical enhancements to appear more confident and youthful in the job search. These enhancements vary from hair coloring to weight loss, Botox from experts like Botox Treatment in Brookfield, WI or Botox in El Paso, TX, and even plastic surgery like this Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery in Marietta, GA.

Job seekers are becoming more conscious of ways to differentiate themselves from other candidates beyond experience and qualifications.  Making an impression requires more than a solid resume and experience.  It’s the total package and looking the part in person to support the personal brand you have worked hard to develop is extremely important.

Oklahoma City salon owner Greg Welchel has seen an increase in job seekers who are willing to spend money on haircuts, highlights, and even waxing to gain a competitive edge. “Job seekers want to look and feel professional,” says Welchel. “And our salon can help them do that.”

And even with the Stock Market creeping above the 10,000 mark, job seekers have yet to feel a measurable impact in the job market.  And for those who are collecting unemployment,  which dropped from 10% to 9.7% in January 2010, the expense associated with these cosmetic enhancements is a concern.

Aside from more traditional salon procedures, Botox and Non-Surgical Nose Jobs have also been popular and inexpensive choices for job seekers to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines that can give hiring managers and recruiters an indication of a candidate’s age. Although age discrimination is illegal, it is still a concern for candidates who are looking to increase their confidence and appear more healthy and vibrant.

Dermatologists like this Top dermatologist in Nashville, TN and spas such as anti aging clinic el paso have also seen an increase in Botox and their VIP treatments that improve the appearance of cellulite, stretch marks, scars, wrinkles, and even varicose veins. Body Trends offers Botox injections for as little as $300.00 per treatment. VIP treatment and other packages like Ultherapy for skin tightening and Microneedling in Rowley, MA vary in price but are an effective alternative to more expensive plastic surgery.

Harvey Jenkins, the salon’s owner, says, “Everyone’s looking for even the smallest thing to stand out in an interview. You can’t change your experience or your skills quickly, but you can look better, and that could be the difference in landing a new position.”

This focus on age and youthful appearance by companies and hiring managers is also a concern for government agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. For the fiscal year 2008, they reported 24,582 age related charges filed accounting for more than 25% of all charges filed. Once the 2009 data is made available, job seekers, companies, and the government will have a better indication of how much age discrimination has increased or decreased in the job market and the most recent economic recession.

What are you doing to give yourself an edge?  Does this resonate with you guys, or does it seem way over the top?  I’d love to hear what you all think!

5 Comments

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  1. 1
    jimarmstrong87

    I respect the fact that you wrote about a topic many others would have avoided. With that being said, I think that botox or any other cosmetic surgery is an absolute waste of time and money for a job applicant. If an employer is going to bypass a candidate because he/she looks 5-8 years older than their desired age range, than that person may be better off working for a company who values him/her as a person, not for how he/she looks. This seems like a quick fix strategy (a hallmark of Gen Y) and not a decision that will have many discernible benefits.

  2. 2
    jessicamillermerrell

    Jim,

    Thanks for the response. Botox and these physical enhancements are not just about looking younger but feeling better and more confident about who you are and what you do. This can translate into a confident and smooth interview. People are often extremely self conscious. For some, Botox is no different than are current hair style or a freshly pressed suit.

    I work and speak with many candidates who feel as though their appearance makes them less attractive to an employer. The fact remains that judgements are made not only by what we hear but also what we see. Consider the job search much like dating and courting. Putting your best foot forward is all about making a great impression.

    Thanks for the comment!

    Jessica

    @blogging4jobs

  3. 3
    DC Jobs

    I think working on looking your best is good advice up to a point after which it becomes unhealthy. If you'd like to get a nice haircut, spend extra time grooming, or spend time studying style magazines to improve your look, I think those all could be valuable investments.

    Hearing the some people might be considering Botox or plastic surgery as part of their job search strategy makes me sad. I think it's because it shows that people have been tricked into thinking that there is something wrong with them that needs to be fixed, and this belief has led them to take drastic measures to alter their bodies.

    In truth, the problems people are facing in the job market are a symptom of the fact that there is something wrong with our society and our economy. That is where the root of the problem lies, and that is the only place any meaningful fix can affect change.

  4. 4
    Tiffany Willis

    Hi Jessica! At Great Job! we do webinars on various job search topics, and a question/concern that comes up in nearly every webinar is the “age” issue. I'd love to see some tips and strategies for working with one's age and learning to push it forward as a strength. Stability, wisdom, experience…What can an older worker bring to the table, and how can they communicate that?

  5. 5
    Tiffany Willis

    Hi Jessica! At Great Job! we do webinars on various job search topics, and a question/concern that comes up in nearly every webinar is the “age” issue. I'd love to see some tips and strategies for working with one's age and learning to push it forward as a strength. Stability, wisdom, experience…What can an older worker bring to the table, and how can they communicate that?

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