Top Law Schools

Disclaimer- I am average looking. Ordinary, reasonable looking.

I was talking to a friend today, and he said that a mutual buddy of ours was advised to lose weight before going in for interviews in his chosen field (not law). This person is indeed pretty big, and it would be a good idea generally to shed a few lbs. But it made me realize something about my interview season, nearly everyone at every callback has been about an 8 or above. Most of the people look like they walked off a JCrew shoot. First question: am I the only one with this experience? Am I imagining this?

Assuming I'm not making this up, that gets me thinking about why it's the case. I think I know. There are so very many qualified people now, screeners are able to look at two equally qualified people and pick the more attractive one. We're drawn to better looking people anyway. So really, if someone is considering law school, maybe we should tell that person to take a good, hard look in the mirror first, literally!

edit- feel free to move to the lounge. i just thought it was somewhat related to the employment season.

I agree with this. I think attractiveness is a huge plus not just in interviews, but in having a successful career. Obviously this is wrong/immoral/inefficient, but doesn't mean it's not true.

We're generally young people, and as successful law students are are good at organizing and keeping on top of things, including working out. It isn't a surprise to me that this population is generally good-looking. I don't think there's some sort of bias going on there.

..

snyphil2 wrote:We're generally young people, and as successful law students are are good at organizing and keeping on top of things, including working out. It isn't a surprise to me that this population is generally good-looking. I don't think there's some sort of bias going on there.

There's probably not that much reasoning going on. And you can hardly tell whether someone is in decent shape when they're wearing a suit.

Attractive people are just nicer to look at, and others have subconscious bias in their favor. It's that simple.

Ok, this comment might be over the line... but it's just my perception, so blame the screeners, not me. Or blame me and my wandering eyes, I guess.

The men have generally all been presentable. We all look the same in suits anyway (full disclosure- I'm male). But even they have often had really chiseled faces, etc... Most of the time they've had full heads of hair (I know we're young generally, but I know many people at school with receding hairlines. And I've not seen many of that type at the callbacks). The men have been thin enough, tall enough, good enough teeth, whatever.

It's the women who have been drop-dead at every stop.

I think it can cut both ways. I think a good-looking woman might have a lot of trouble if she's interviewing with a homely female interviewer.

Relevant: --LinkRemoved--

Don't worry, it's just the financial page, not a massive article.

Also: fantastic song, that tune of the same title.

Anonymous User wrote:I think it can cut both ways. I think a good-looking woman might have a lot of trouble if she's interviewing with a homely female interviewer.

Exactly. I know a lot of people who have experienced this.

I don't think people get jobs BECAUSE of their looks. I think people who are good looking develop a better personality and confidence over time because of their good looks (e.g. people are nicer to them), and those qualities come through in an interview.