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.

[LFC]

Can u cite your source please

[[mcr]]

I suspect the answer to the question you ask is very similar to this topic

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/Careers/0...ple/index.html
"Why tall people make more money"

There's a few articles and studies floating around that indicate that taller people make more money. In pretty much every study i've seen, it all comes down to self-esteem. There is otherwise no difference between tall and short people.

Taller people believe they have a desirable genetic trait, and that belief is reinforced by the feedback they get from society, which boosts their self-esteem.

Likewise, I believe hairloss undermines confidence and self-esteem, leading in the grand scheme of things to bald people suffering from the stigma associated with their condition.

It seems to be a natural thing for people to take every advantage they can against the competition, which is everyone else, whether that advantage is real or imaginary. So tall people make fun of short people, skinny people make fun of fat people, people of a certain race make fun of other races, people with hair make fun of bald people, etc. It's simply the human element at work.

[KeepTheHair]

Well the thing with tall people is, I have also read that tall people tend to be smarter, up to a certain point then it start to decline again. So, the tall thing is kinda irrelevant.

But I admit. If someone looked at a short bald guy and then at a tall guy with a full head of hair.

It is extremely obvious who will get the most job offers.

[[mcr]]

Everytime I feel like the odds are stacked against me, I remember people who had it much worse, and used their disadvantages as motivation to go farther than everyone else.

Neil Strauss. Spencer Kobren did an interview with him. short bald guy. One of the greatest pickup artists in the world.

Sean Stephenson. Watch the video samples at http://www.timetostand.com/college.htm and compare our 'condition' to his.

[Fixed by 35]

This is all very interesting, but what I'm really trying to establish is a straw poll of where balding people are in their careers in comparison to those with hair.

For example, I'm probably about three promotions below those of a similar age and qualifications to me in my chosen career. So I fit the balding stereotype of underachiever pretty well.

[[mcr]]

To respond to your poll, I am early thirties and I am an executive at our company. Only 2 people above me. I have very average academic qualifications, and am average height.

My hair loss isn't severe, it's like a Norwood 2. It has still affected my self-image significantly otherwise I wouldn't be here.

[Ahab]

Who was the last really bald president that was elected to office (Ford doesn't count--he was not elected to be president)? Case closed.