Photo by scragz

Eleanor Roosevelt.

Woody Allen.

The two names above were successful in their lives, yet neither of them ever won a beauty contest.

Neither did Howard Stern, Rodney Dangerfield, Phyllis Diller, Janet Reno, or Yogi Berra.

Marty Nemko wrote in a recent Kiplingers article that he likes to hire ugly people.  I’m hoping that he wrote it with his tongue planted firmly in his cheek.  You can read the original article by clicking the following link:

Why I Like to Hire Ugly People

He claims that unattractive people are at a disadvantage in the workplace because of their looks, no matter how competent they are at their jobs.  But he doesn’t want ugly people to throw in the towel, since looks are only one strike against them.  They still have ways to succeed that don’t involve their looks.

We try harder

Remember the Avis commercials?  Avis was proud that it was Number 2 behind Hertz, and used the “We Try Harder” slogan.  Nemko wants ugly people to use the personal strengths that unattractiveness can breed:

For instance, I find that ugly people, in general, are nicer because they know they can’t use their looks to get by and because they’ve developed compassion from going through life unattractive.

He gives advice about dressing well, not smoking, watching your weight, good posture, and self-acceptance of your looks.  Which led me to do my own observations about my coworkers.

My own back yard

I peeked around the wall of my cubicle, and started taking an inventory of my colleagues.  Here’s what I observed in the immediate area:

• One fellow, needing a shave, wrinkled, untucked shirt, clothing circa 1975;
• A lady, no makeup, uncombed hair, flip flops, too-tight clothing;
• Another lady, wearing a sweater that needed a cleaning;
• One guy with sneakers on, no collar on his shirt, reeking of cigarette smoke.

And these were the attractive people! Just kidding.  Everybody that I work with is like the population of Lake Wobegon: above average.  I’m no lightweight, but I shave and shower every day, wear appropriate clothing, shined shoes, trimmed beard, combed hair.  I’ve always tried to look my best.  But take a look around you, if you dare.

Nemko also makes the point that ugly people can be hired more cheaply, and that they’ll work harder because they know they’re at a disadvantage.  They’re also less likely to leave for greener pastures:

And unattractive people are more likely to stay with me because they tend to have a tough time getting hired, in part because they generally don’t network efficiently. If I treat unattractive employees well, they’re usually very loyal.

So, if you work with ugly people get used to it.  Because it looks like they stick around for a long time.

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