Seriously proven: attractive people really earn much more

You probably haven't missed that there is a connection between appearance and getting more (and often better) opportunities. This is already unfair enough, but did you also know that there is a connection between appearance and the height of your salary? Research shows that attractive people earn significantly more on average than less attractive people. Bizarre but true. Where does this difference actually come from?

Investigating the connection between appearance and salary is not new. As early as the 1990s, research was conducted into this relationship, and the results were striking. Attractive people turned out to not only have a better chance of being hired for a job but also earn more than their less attractive colleagues. More recent studies continue to confirm these results.

According to researchers, this has to do with the way we look at people. Attractive people are often seen as confident, smart, and strong communicators. Employers therefore automatically assume that they perform better and will have more success in their work, which increases their chances of landing better-paid positions, potentially leading to a salary difference of up to 20 percent compared to less attractive people. I know: shocking. Additionally, having an attractive appearance makes people more inclined to want to work with you and they will be quicker to help you in your career.

Women often draw the short straw in this conclusion, as similar studies show that they are more frequently judged on their appearance than men. This can lead to them getting more opportunities, but it also sometimes puts them under more pressure to look good and they are judged more on their appearance than on their abilities. Furthermore, it appears that women with an attractive appearance are more often hired for jobs that involve customer contact, such as in hospitality or sales. These jobs are often less well-paid than jobs in, for example, engineering or science. So even if you are an attractive woman, you will still have to work a bit harder for that well-paid job than an attractive man.

Experts indicate that it is important not to get lost in superficial appearances and to remember that abilities and performance are ultimately worth more than an attractive appearance. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that you perform your job well and continue to develop yourself, as well as to keep working on your self-confidence and communication skills. This way, you ensure that you are seen not only as attractive but also as capable and confident.

So there is indeed a correlation between appearance and the height of your income, we cannot ignore that. However, remember that beauty is subjective and that your pretty face does not magically open all doors. Ultimately, it is your knowledge and talent that contribute the most to achieving success, and those things never go out of style.

Source: Those who are attractive earn up to 20% more: “Employers see them as confident, smart, and communicative” | Exclusive for subscribers | hln.be via (1) LinkedIn
Image: Jonathan Wenk / Freeform