Careers

[Fixed by 35]

I've made several claims that baldness affects careers and I want to know whether the theory stands up to scrutiny.

For example, the theory suggests bald men earn on average 20% less than men with hair (meaning the wage differential is almost on a par with women, who earn less because they work shorter hours, have more fulfilling public sector jobs and tend to take ten year career breaks to look after children. Ouch. No, sorry, my girlfriend has just reminded me they earn less because they're women).

Also, a study by the Emmid Institute have a decreased chance of gaining a job when against a candidate who is similarly qualified with hair. Hell, that's in Germany. I don't want to worry you guys, but that means even mullets are better than baldness in job interviews! Worse still, it means it matters even in a country with very little regard for personal appearance. Well, I mean, they really don't do they? How much worse is it in a country like the UK? Or the USA, which seems to be obsessed with the state of my countrymen's teeth, let alone our hair?

I think baldness matters a huge amount to successful careers. I think, ironically, that it takes the shine off a person and diminishes their status as an employee and a job candidate.

It would be interesting to know what people on these boards do as a job, how qualified they are, how old they are and how senior they are in their chosen field.

For example, I have a first class Honours degree in History, the ICSA Professional qualification (equivalent to a postgraduate diploma) and seven years experience working both for a Big 4 accountancy firm and one of the ten largest banks in the world. That might sound impressive until I point out I'm only two grades above the person who does the filing!

Also, my manager (one grade above me), who has lots of hair, has no degree, no professional qualifications, no experience with a Big 4 accountancy practice and is only three years older than me. His manager, the managing director, who also has hair, also has no degree, no qualifications and spent most of his career as a police officer.

It does leave me wondering where I'm going wrong! I'm far more qualified than anyone else in my company, I'm more experienced and I generally work well in a team. I'm also good with clients (they can't see you via e-mail or on the phone!) I think I can guess what the problem is though.