Looks or Ability?

Hi

Which would you rather have?

A question prompted by two recent appointments, one male, one female.

The outstanding Candidates both failed, less able but better looking applicants were appointed.

Both jobs will be in the Public Eye, so the better looking ones will be more acceptable to the Media.

The Spin Doctors, better to have bad news from good looking people.

The Media in my view are largely responsible for this.

Are we being dominated by looks rather than ability?

Re: Looks or Ability?

To a degree in some areas yes, not so important in jobs like construction where ability counts, but ive found nepotism to be a bigger problem.

Re: Looks or Ability?

Ability every time. Looks fade ability lasts forever. Judge Judd moment there !

Re: Looks or Ability?

I have noticed that if it's a man doing the interviewing, the best looking woman will get the job but if it's a woman doing the interviewing that's not the case.

Re: Looks or Ability?

Absolutely !
You only have to look a some public figures to see how they are idloiised .
Hilary Mantell was vilified when she mentioned Kate Middleton as being designed as the perfect princess or words to that effect yet she was right !
Looks are an advantage there is no doubt about it,

Re: Looks or Ability?

Hi

Yes I can understand that Longdogs, sad though it is.

In both these cases however, it was a Panel doing the interviews.

Media acceptability scores more highly now unfortunately.

Re: Looks or Ability?

Being an able hunk I cannot comment.

Re: Looks or Ability?

I have no interest in looks, ability is everything.

Re: Looks or Ability?

Good looks nearly always are the deciding factor when it comes to public or high profile appointments aren't they?

Amongst politicians or world leaders you could extend that to natural charisma infront of a camera too. Look at JFK ... young, handsome, idolised, almost a pin-up President who could sway people. (Didn't do him much good in the end though).

I might just have destroyed my own theory as I've just thought of Hitler ... a little runt of a man. Must have been magnetism and the persausive power of self conviction with him?

Peel of the gift wrapping and it is the person and their ability that is important. There are some real airheads around who own attractive, pleasing faces but not much else.

Re: Looks or Ability?

We do seem to have gone down the way of pretty boy politicians,, would the likes of Heath or Wilson have a chance today, Blair and Cameron did not prove to be up to the task.