Dear Tell All: My company recently conducted a search for a midlevel manager. I wasn’t part of the hiring committee, but I was in the group that heard the final three candidates’ presentations. One of them was a normal-looking middle-aged man, one of them was a normal-looking middle-aged woman, and the third was a stunningly beautiful younger woman.
Each of the candidates showed strengths and weaknesses during the presentations. But I’m pretty sure I saw the men on the hiring committee (three of them, compared to two women) looking at Young Beauty with stars in their eyes. After her presentation, I predicted to one of my colleagues that she would get the job, no matter what her qualifications. And that’s exactly what happened.
My suspicions were confirmed in her first week on the job. Admittedly, she seemed nervous, but she screwed up on tasks that you’d assume someone in that role would easily handle.
I’m outraged that I have to work with a person who may not be qualified for her job just because she dazzled the male members of the hiring committee with Anne Hathaway eyes and Jennifer Aniston hair. I’m considering my options, which range from making a formal complaint to making life difficult for my incompetent new co-worker.
Also a Normal-Looking Person
Dear Normal-Looking Person: If Young Beauty was in fact hired because of her looks, you’d have a reason to be indignant. But before waging war, as you seem eager to do, I’d caution you to think carefully about the circumstances. Physical beauty can cause people to irrationally adore the objects of desire, but it can also cause people to irrationally despise them. Beware of falling into the latter camp. As the model said in that Pantene shampoo commercial: “Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful.”
You admit that you weren’t on the hiring committee, and you admit that each of the candidates had strengths and weaknesses. Is there any way to request meeting minutes or an explanation of the hiring process? That seems like a more reasonable first step than causing a stink before you’re sure of what happened.
The most important thing is not to demonize the new employee without cause. You mentioned that she seemed nervous in her first week, which shouldn’t make you feel angry; it should make you feel sympathetic. It shows that Young Beauty is a human being and could use a helping hand.
I suggest you extend it to her, Normal-Looking Person. Doing anything less would be — if you’ll pardon the expression — ugly.
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