Would You Show Some Skin to Get Ahead at Work?

January 19, 2009

26 Comments

4 years 3 weeks

It doesn't matter. Impressions themselves in the initial interview are only 8% correct, so wearing an outfit that shows your pretty legs is not a crime! Studies have shown that perceptions are everything, and the prettier one dresses and takes care of their appearance...the easier it is to land and keep a job. I tend to feel how I look, so I dress nicely for myself, and I am not so self-conscious that I mind showing a little leg. Of course, if you feel uncomfortable then you should not...as you will end up being awkward and it will come off as fake. Just be yourself. Screw what other people think! They will think what they want regardless.

flyhunnie7 4 years 16 weeks

It wouldn't work anyway -- I work with mostly gay men haha. But they have suggested I wear heels more often. However, I'm not going to wear certain items of clothing just because it makes me look "prettier." I'll dress how I want! (You know, pending I don't mess up the office dress code ;)

RockAndRepublic 4 years 16 weeks

I want respect in an office, not be made to feel uncomfortable with a bunch of men looking at mwe. ick!

fcseamstress 4 years 16 weeks

If it helped me change to my desired career, heck yea! I work in a conservative office right now, so showing more skin wouldn't take much... And if I REALLY wanted to break into the fashion industry, I know that would pretty much be a given, but I wouldn't mind.

shydcgirl28 4 years 17 weeks

In these tough economic times...it would be very tempting, but I'm not certain I could do it. @AnneB I teach swimming (PT) too, in a swimsuit and a teacher's t-shirt...I had a bad experience with a kid who took in too much water and she vomited into my swimsuit, hot, 98 degree, little kid, chunky vomit. So I'm more conservatively dressed than the other instructors anyway.

sugsug 4 years 17 weeks

oooh Meike, this topic is striking so close to the heart. We have an assistant to doing the same thing with our boss, and getting away with murder. It's really hard during meetings to see someone in a lower position with much much more power...makes me want to leave. I do not believe in prostituting myself to get ahead.

Amarojo 4 years 17 weeks

Im an American living and working in the People's Republic of China. Men come here and love the women because women look, act, and dress like women. Do they get pushed around for it??? Absolutely not. They have his full attention and all the power becuase of it. Would I show skin to get ahead in a job? Believe me honey...Im 50 and you don't want to see my skin, but if I were younger and incredibly fit...yes. I would dress in fine fabrics that feel good to the touch... and in clothing that fits my body well. I would have the confidence to show a little leg and perhaps wear a shirt that was a bit sexy sometimes. Why? Because I believe with all my heart that clothes do not make or break the slut...manners and decorum (or lack thereof) do.

homekeeper 4 years 17 weeks

If you can't do it honestly, then you really shouldn't be promoted anyway. Anyone that would subject themselves to such a low level that involves exposing themselves, really should re-think what they 'think' their worth is determined by.

Leila07 4 years 17 weeks

Carly25 - well said! I feel the same way.

Spectra 4 years 17 weeks

At my last job, my boss was a total pervert. Once, I wore a shirt that I considered to be work-appropriate and my boss told me it was too revealing and that he could see my nipples through my bra. I countered back that anyone who noticed THAT was looking at a place on the female body that is totally not appropriate for work. I threatened to report him to HR for sexual harassment, but I was told by my other coworkers that HR wouldn't do anything b/c he was friends with one of the big execs in the company. BTW, we also caught him looking at porn on the job. After that, I wore up-to-the neck shirts and long pants all the time. At my job now, we all wear relatively un-sexy lab coats, so a low-cut shirt won't really get you anywhere. Plus, I work in a lab of all women, so no one would really care anyway.

GlowingMoon 4 years 17 weeks

Truthfully, no need to. I was really good at my job, well-qualified, and physically attractive (even with conservative business clothing).

Anne B 4 years 17 weeks

Not in the office or at an interview. However... part of my job is teaching swimming, so that means swimsuits. I would never wear a bikini or something flashy or something that little hands could easily pull down (or off). Wackdoodle - Thanks for driving the bus. You get people where they need to go safely and without adding more single occupant cars to the roads.

vmruby 4 years 17 weeks

No...... I have enough unwanted attention from men as it is besides I'd like to think that I'm above doing something so degrading.I would much rather earn a promotion on my skills and not by parading myself around the workplace half naked...

Anne26 4 years 17 weeks

No I would not. I don't like men looking at me that way and it seems even if I am fully clothed, men still look and I am not a piece of meat.

Meike 4 years 17 weeks

Nope! I have a co-worker who does this and sleeps with one of the managers. Hence, a big promotion and raise. As for me, I can't be bought. I'll dress nicely but only for myself.

wackdoodle 4 years 17 weeks

It just doesn't work where I work. I work alone on a city bus. There's no one to impress and only freaks who if you show the slightest skin think its oksy to touoch the driver and sexual harass the driver. SO I wear every layer of my uniform - t-shirt, brown polyester shapeless baggy pants, long sleeve brown uniform shirt (men's style instead of the form fitting female style), then the unisex dark brown sweater and safety vest. Still doesn't matter I get hit on if I wear my hair down or up, wear no make or wear make up, wear my fishing hat, beanie or baseball hat pulled down to my eyebrows there's always some creep who wants to get too close to touch me. And there is no one else no supervisor or fellow employee on the bus to help when people decide to try to molest you. It's just me and my pink pocket knife, heavy Maglite flashlight, and miniature Giants baseball bat crammed in my back pack now.

hyzenthlay20 4 years 17 weeks

Being a high school teacher, showing some skin would not get me ahead. It could get me called into the Principal's office for a discussion about appropriate school attire (just like they do with the kids).

rocketgirl 4 years 17 weeks

No. I'd rather participate in creating a world where that sort of thing isn't necessary. Besides, I'd feel weird knowing that I held my position for something superficial rather than my actual intelligence and qualifications.

naked_american 4 years 17 weeks

This is sick.

mishegas 4 years 17 weeks

I think that's awful.

HaterTot 4 years 17 weeks

took=tool in my previous post.

gabiushka 4 years 17 weeks

Probably not.

redegg 4 years 17 weeks

I would be nuts to do that.

HaterTot 4 years 17 weeks

Everyone should use every tool in their arsenal to succeed and do the best job they can. Going too far with the skin-showing will undoubtedly have the opposite of the desired effect, but a little can go a long way. It's no substitute for intelligence and knowledge of your job; more like an enhancement. Anyone who doesn't use every took available to them is foolish - the key is knowing when to employ those tools and how.

TidalWave 4 years 17 weeks

This makes me really sad.

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