Good looks and good practice: the attitudes of career practitioners to attractiveness and appearance. Issue 5 (20th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yates, Julia; Hooley, Tristram; Bagri, Kiren Kaur
• Is Part Of: British journal of guidance & counselling. Volume 45:Issue 5(2017)
• Page Start: 547
• Page End: 561
• Publication Date: 2017-10-20
• Subjects: Career guidance -- career image -- appearance -- attractiveness -- career practice; Educational counseling -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Vocational guidance -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 371.4
• DOI: 10.1080/03069885.2016.1237615
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-9885

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Empirical evidence attests the impact that career image has on objective career success, yet little is known of how career practitioners conceptualise and operationalise this information. This article presents the quantitative findings of an online survey of career practitioners ( n = 399, 74% female, 89% white and 75% from the U.K.) exploring their attitudes and practices towards issues of appearance and attractiveness. Career practitioners who participated in this survey acknowledged that beauty, self-presentation and interpersonal skills influence career success, and 96% of them considered conversations about career image as part of their professional remit. The career practitioners felt relatively comfortable and well informed in their discussions in this arena, but would welcome further guidance and training to inform their practice. Ethical and practical implications for the profession are considered.