There are a million things to worry about when preparing for a job interview. Your resume, references and body language can affect your chances of getting the job. However, can the presence of a skin disease derail an interview?
Unfortunately, a growing body of research suggests that it can. Several common conditions, including acne and psoriasis, have been linked to negative outcomes in the job market. Below, we’ll explore the reasons why – and some steps you can take to even the odds.
How Skin Diseases Can Affect Your Job Prospects
You’re extremely unlikely to meet a hiring manager who openly discriminates against people who suffer from a skin disease. However, your skin may indirectly affect your job prospects in several ways.
A recent study from Rice University and the University of Houston demonstrated that severe acne outbreaks and scars might be a distraction for an interviewer.
Researchers found that these conditions tend to disrupt eye contact by drawing the interviewer’s attention away from the candidate’s face. They also linked this distraction to a decreased recollection of information by interviewers – and ultimately, to poorer outcomes for candidates.
Skin diseases can also hurt your prospects in a job interview by lowering your self-confidence. This phenomenon may be particularly problematic for people with psoriasis.
According to research compiled by the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance, 17% of people living with psoriasis have experienced psychological effects in the workplace due to their disease. Moreover, 23% say that psoriasis has impacted their choice of career.
Getting Your Skin Ready for a Job Interview
There are several easy steps you can take to minimize your likelihood of encountering skin-related job interview problems.
You can address the distraction issue by practicing maintaining good eye contact. You can also mitigate self-confidence problems by giving yourself a “pump-up” speech, visualizing a successful interview or other motivational exercises before the interview begins.
There’s also evidence that using stress management techniques such as exercise, meditation and guided imagery in conjunction with a healthful diet rich in fruits and vegetables may ease some of the symptoms of acne and psoriasis. You can learn more by visiting our acne information page here, or our psoriasis information page here.
However, if you’re tired of worrying about how your skin disease may affect important aspects of your life, Anne Arundel Dermatology is here to help. Our providers can guide you through all of the available treatment options and find the one that’s right for you. Click here to request an appointment.
