Perspective(Opposing)

As a girl currently job hunting, I’ve really started to notice how much appearance affects the process. Reading about lookism and 「顔採用」(face hiring) really surprised me. Some companies actually judge people based on how they look in their resume photo. Even if someone is totally qualified, things like scars, tattoos, or just not fitting the beauty ideal can get them rejected. It’s honestly frustrating.

In university, I saw how beauty contests made it feel like being pretty was a real advantage, and now that I’m applying for jobs, I feel that same pressure.  It's true that to be a newscaster, proving that you're some kind of "Miss" or "Mister" can be a big title for the person. Even though it's a job to just tell the weather or news. I’ve even been told I should wear makeup for interviews “out of etiquette,” even though men don’t have to. It’s not fair.

Some roles, especially ones in customer service or events, customers seem to only go to girls who are young and attractive. Even if the pay is the same, it’s like looks decide who gets in. I also feel like people assume pretty girls are more friendly or capable and that halo effect is real.

One example for this is the Chinese navy. The reason that Chinese navy sailors must be good looking and well-mannered, according to a navy spokesman, is that, as China opens up to the world and its navy vessels visit and engage in joint exercises with other countries, its sailors become representatives of China. Beyond the media’s attention-grabbing headlines, there is now established academic research from the USA and UK, as well as some emerging indications from Australia, highlighting links between an individual’s looks and his or her pay and employment prospects.

Isn't that surprising? It's too harsh to find a job in this time of period...Honestly, it’s exhausting knowing that how I look might matter more than what I can actually do. It makes the whole process feel discouraging and really unfair.