Women should wear high heels and lipstick to be successful

Original publication: RecruitingBlogs on 2.8.2009; I wonder how the Gen-er women feel about this stuff?

Female employees at the Bank of England have been advised to “Always wear a heel and some sort of make-up, even if it’s just lipstick.” And don’t forget that clients like tight skirts and cleavage too…

Personal branding coach Mary Spillane, a partner in the London office of executive search firm Whitehead Mann says, “People move on in their careers because of communication, influencing skills, being able to create the impact that conveys leadership and authority, and that comes from a range of things including grooming. It diminishes the age issue: by the time you are in your late 30s and 40s your skin has discoloration and you get dark circles; make-up takes that away.” Of course if you’re discolored, you’re no longer able to understand balance sheets, customers and logistics.

International make-up artist Bobbi Brown says, “In any situation make-up can be a great way for women to look and feel like themselves, only prettier and more confident.” Perhaps some recruiters I know – men and women – should consider wearing make-up during this economic period; it sounds as if it would make up for skill deficiencies.

“People want to look feminine but not vampish,” says a female co-director of one PR firm. “As a woman, you are often in the minority in a meeting, and you want to be remembered for the point you made, or for changing the course of a debate, not for the colour of your lipstick,” she says. I’m at a loss for making any pithy comments after reading this quote.

Seriously folks, there’s science behind the above quotes. A 2006 study found that when men and women were asked to assess photographs of four women with and without make-up, women who were presented wearing make-up were perceived to be more confident, and thought to have a greater earning potential and more prestigious jobs than those without make-up.

The road is still very long and bumpy…

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