It was a call girl centre?
My goodness, they select them on their intelligence and skills where I work. I felt discriminated because I'm blonde and my new manager thought I was stupid. I just put my hair in a knot so it's more dark blonde and makes me look ugly for him to take me serious.
I read that here in the States, as you advance in career and start getting into higher positions and corporate positions, women who want a "cutting edge" should wear makeup... and they do better than women who don't DOING THE EXACT SAME THING, with the same skills etc etc. I also read an article about how body language, simple little quirks, can put your job in danger not even knowing it:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/9-tips-body-language-guarantees-you-get-job-ada-lehmann
Common Body Language Mistakes Employees Make - Business Insider
16 Body Language Mistakes to Avoid at the Workplace
Some of these things, I sympathize with. If you're talking to someone, it's rude to look at your phone. Period. But others, like hugging yourself, slouching, etc... what does this have to do with my productivity? Maybe I'm cold, or maybe I slouching is more comfortable for me so I work harder.
Moving up, or even keeping your job, has more to do with social savvy, ESP as you move up the ladder, than it does actual work you put into things. That's the perk of our consumer society. One person can do minimal work, with good social skills and behavioral cues, and move up, someone else can put out twice as much productivity, and get fired because they don't "connect" in just the "right way" with people.
Take the book "The Fine Art of Small Talk." She goes into having a step-by-step on how to look approachable in the workplace, and how to small talk. She expresses her own experience where she would work very hard, very competitive in output, BUT... she doesn't small talk with anyone. She doesn't make anyone feel fuzzies so over and over she was passed for promotions. Because like many introverts, social interaction is tiring and takes energy (yes it does, look it up, science on this), so she directs that energy to her work... but that doesn't pay in the long run. Working hard is nice but you have to network, too.
It REALLY is about who you know, not what you know or your skills. So when someone says "Learn a trade!" and "Work hard!" well, barring the COSTS to do so (resources needed for smooth dress and grooming and schooling), who's going to teach me how to have smooth body language and a natural disposition? I work on it with family and friends, and I know I REALLY need to work on it as I reenter the workforce. (I am currently working with Division of Rehab to target jobs right for me.) But me personally, I find interviews awkward, because I'm so focused on "looking personable" that my fears only propel my awkwardness.
As someone who struggles with social awkwardness, partly due to my environment growing up, partly personality, partly comfort... this scares me. Esp in more desk-type jobs, which I think I'm more suited for than customer service, I have to work twice as hard... not at ACTUAL work, but at my reputation.
It's not that I never smile, it's not that I'm not courteous to people. But it's really hard for me to "best bud" with people I don't know or just met, and that's what's expected. Teamwork is essential in many jobs, I admit, but why is "just the RIGHT" eye contact necessary? Don't stare, but don't advert your eyes.
Got it. And the fact that so many articles like this exists testifies to how common these mistakes are.
Now, on the other hand, there is pressure by companies to keep costs down and a ton of applications. This forces the employer to find "short cuts" in shifting all the applications. Many companies use software to sift through applications initially.
I have personally been googling on how to make a resume pop, and good, or rather, acceptable behavior is what I need to work on. And I will, because I know that increases the chances of a job.
But hard work alone, and being productive? That doesn't get you anywhere unless you can also act very well.