When you are prepping for a job interview, you have hundreds of things on your plate. You need to make sure you’re prepared for the questions. You have to study the ins and outs of the company. But what really affects your chances of acing a job interview?
Some say it is what’s in your resume while others claim it has something to do with your body language and even your personal references. But what if we say that your skin’s condition (not tone) can affect the way the job interviewer sees you?
No hiring manager will ever admit that the applicants’ skin conditions affect their hireability. However, a growing number of studies are pointing out the fact that skin diseases distract the job interviewers so much so that they will ultimately decide not to call again for a final interview. Acne and psoriasis, in particular, have long been linked to negative outcomes in the job market.
But here’s the question: is it the job interviewers’ fault? Isn’t society’s misconceptions about skin conditions the culprit? Couldn’t you have done something about your skin? Maybe take care of it better by choosing the right skincare product manufacturers? Most of the time, your skin diseases are not a result of genetics or medical illnesses. They could be a result of a striking ignorance about the importance of skincare and the brands you patronize.
A Form of Discrimination
The reason why no one will openly admit to getting distracted by a candidate’s skin conditions is that it is a form of discrimination. Hiring managers cannot deny the entry of prospective employees because of the conditions of their skins. But in their mind, they have to find another reason to say no to people with severe acne outbreaks, facial scars, psoriasis, and the likes.
One study said that these skin conditions often draw the interviewer’s eyes away from the candidate’s face. That loss of eye-to-eye contact often has an adverse impact on the interview. Without this interaction, it is hard for the interviewer to remember facts about the interview; let alone how the candidates impressed them with their answers.
It is the same thing that happens when a job interviewer checks his phone or watch during the interview. The distraction is taking the interviewer’s mind off what the applicant is saying. Failure to recollect impressions about the interview will lead the hiring manager to forego the thought of calling that applicant for another round of job interviews.
Impact on Self-esteem
The problems in your hireability don’t only fall on the interviewer’s feet. You might not notice it, but you are also impacted by your skin conditions. These skin diseases can lower your self-confidence. Maybe you are slouching on the chair. That is not always a good sign. You could also be trying to cover the scars on your face, which is another distraction to the interviewer.
The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance said that 17% of people with psoriasis have gone through psychological effects in the workplace. About 23% said that their skin conditions affected their careers — some had to let go of promising careers and preferred to work at home. The reasons vary, but there’s a growing sense that lack of self-confidence is leading these people to keep to themselves.
Prepping Your Skin for a Job Interview
Your skin condition doesn’t have to take over your job interview prospect. You can still impress the hiring manager with your confidence, wit, knowledge, and skills. But to do that, you have to prep yourself and your skin for the interview.
The first thing you have to do is to find out what triggers your skin disease. If you have severe acne problems, what can cause them to flare up during the interview? Is it the food you eat or the number of hours of rest you get in a day? You can even talk to your dermatologist about how to make sure you won’t have a flare-up on the day of your job interview. At most, the dermatologist will ask you to avoid certain food, to get at least eight hours of sleep, and not to trigger your acne by putting on harsh chemicals and cosmetics on your face.
There are management techniques that prevent skin diseases from getting worse. Exercise, meditation, and proper diet are some of these management techniques. To address your problem, you need to know as much as you can about it. You have to acknowledge the problem and find a way to live with the conditions of your skin—whether they are manageable or not.
