New Study: Being Hot Hurts A Man’s Career

Sometimes we stop and think about how attractive Sawyer in Lost was. And then we think ?Where is what’s his name now? Why isn’t actor Josh Holloway on television constantly??

A new study may be the answer to this primal rush of questions. Researchers from the University of Maryland found that handsome men sometimes find it difficult to secure work in competitive industries because those in charge of hiring see them subconsciously as threats.

NPR discussed this new research earlier this week and said that despite good looks being an advantage – better-looking people get higher grades and tend to be promoted more – some men don’t get hired because of their bone structure, lustrous hair, piercing eyes, etc. Game of Thrones actor Kit Harington complained a few weeks about how he felt all the media concentration on his good looks was demeaing and meant his work as an actor was being ignored as a result.

Previous research has found that attractive women are often seen as less competent, and now it seems attractive men are also perceived unfairly. While these men are considered more competent than unattractive men, those in charge of hiring tend to not hire the studs, because of competition. Marko Pitesa, of the University of Maryland, used the example of sales and how a better-looking colleague may hamper your career and steal clients.

Do you think good-looking men are discriminated against? Have you any experience of this?

NPR

Follow Jeanne Sutton on Twitter @jeannedesutun