Recently, there's been a buzz around hiring only "beautiful" people. From a certain retailer's revelation that they only hire "hot" associates to a dating site that is getting into the online job board business, the topic is becoming more and more heated.  While our initial reaction was to associate these stories more with the an episode of The Bachelor and pass it around the office as some lighthearted HR fodder, it did get us thinking.

A quick exact Google search for "hiring beautiful people" turned up around 18,000 results - so obviously the idea isn't new!  As expected – the topics we found ranged from good, to bad to downright ugly and bizarre! But, hey, that's what the internet is for, right?

We all know the paradigm has been the same since High School -- the pretty people are the popular people, so naturally, you want to be friends with the pretty people - because they are the popular people.   Makes sense!  But does the same apply in the workforce? Are the "beautiful" people better qualified employees?  Do they work harder?  Do they do better work?

The results seem to be split on most of those questions, but one thing is clear: The "beautiful" people often have better interview experiences - and probably not for the reasons you think. 

Beauty is not always defined not in terms of things like bone structure and nose shape, but rather in how well someone presents themselves - is their hair styled or messy?  Is their shirt pressed or wrinkled?  Suit properly tailored?  Make-up properly applied? Do they carry themselves with poise and confidence? These are all great traits for employees to have!  These traits often signify that the candidate cares about his or her appearance and takes pride in their work. They take the time to do the little things that make the difference – and isn't that what you want in an employee?  Even if they are slightly overdressed!

Taking pride in your appearance is something that everyone should be able to embrace in any workplace environment.  So the next time you interview someone that fits your needs and culture and, in this case, looks the part -- remember that hiring "beautiful" people isn't always a bad thing! After all, they are representing you and your organization!

And the next time you are ready to find those people to interview, give Hyrell a try! Our applicant tracking system helps source, rank and score top talent, giving you more time to spend pressing your shirts. Check out our free 30-day trial here!