‘Pretty Privilege’: 20% Of Job Seekers Denied Jobs Based On Looks

Thumbs up when you have "pretty privilege," whether you're male or female, and know that while it ... More can give you a leg up on landing your dream job, it can also work against you in some cases.
During graduation season, thousands of fresh job seekers are going into their first interviews, but many are already feeling judged before they even speak. If you think looks don’t matter anymore when you’re applying for a job, you’re dead wrong. It might seem shallow, but looking the part is still important in corporate America, according to a recent study that found your appearance is more likely to land the job you’re applying for. It’s called “pretty privilege”--the notion that your looks can help you snag a job.
What Research Shows About ‘Pretty Privilege’
There’s a social media meme called “face card” that describes people so attractive that they don’t have to pay for anything, can score the best seat in the restaurant and get more hits on dating apps than an ordinary person.
I can see you rolling your eyes, and mumbling that such a perspective is superficial and lame. Perhaps so, but unfortunately, science-backed research shows that “pretty privilege” or beauty bias is a real phenomenon. And how you look can detrmine whether or not you snag your dream job.
According to a 2022 study in the Harvard Business Review, certain physical features and accessories from profile pictures, give candidates an edge in hiring outcomes. When a candidate applies for a job online, a coat and tie, glasses, couture or a beard can make a big difference in whether they get hired. When a job seeker “looks the part," as inferred from profile photographs, they have a better chance of nailing the position, according to the study.
A more recent 2025 study of 2,000 people found that 56% of respondents believe “pretty privilege” affects how people are treated at work, with 56% saying that having the face card means being treated better. Other common answers include better customer service (43%) and educational opportunities (20%). Nearly 20% claim they’ve been denied a job because of how they look. And 75% agree that society has more respect for good-looking people.