Looking their best

guaranteed nightmare tonight...

It's not only about the makeup but image and hair is just as important. In fact in today's job market your presentation is almost as important as what's on your resume. First impressions are everything so if you're put together, if you're polished, your hair is done, your makeup, your clothes, you're going to make a better impression. That's means projecting a professional image.

And why is it that women MUST wear makeup to look professional? Men don't have to have makeup or their nails done to be seen as such.

Think this is a good chance for the big suit companies too. Most of the male shushoku candidates out there have no idea how to wear a suit, come on ... white socks?! 95% have no idea bottom jacket button is un-done ...

More than anything, shouldn't their parents give this kind of advice? Or, are the parents too cluless??

Novenchama ... totally agreed.

And why is it that women MUST wear makeup to look professional? Men don't have to have makeup or their nails done to be seen as such.

I don't think anyone, including this photo or caption, is suggesting that women must wear makeup. It seems to be suggesting that if you are going to wear makeup that there is a professional way to do it. Men are also expected to look professional which does in fact included clean nails and neat hair. Some men are also choosing makeup as an option to look younger or more presentable. The key is not to overdo it.

And the end result is that they all look alike!

Makes it hard for a potential employer to differentiate them...

There's probably even a multiple-guess test at the end of this...!

Every little bit helps. Interviewers decide in the first 30 seconds whether they'd hire you or not.

I don't like makeup much. Likely I am not the only one.

Of course they have to wear make up if they want to work at a cosmetics company......

The girl in the mirror will need to try harder than that!

Makes it hard for a potential employer to differentiate them...

Many employers still only want malleable drones to mould in their own image.

Ah yes, job-hunting for new graduates in Japan ...

same hair styles same suits (black) same bags (black) same make-up (ie. almost none)

What ever happened to making an impression?! Let them wear what the hell they want!

Archaic Japanese companies at their worst.

The girl in the mirror will need to try harder than that!

Charming.

In fact in today's job market your presentation is almost as important as what's on your resume

In today's job market Einstein wouldn't have got a job, just look at the hair.

I don't think anyone, including this photo or caption, is suggesting that women must wear makeup. It seems to be suggesting that if you are going to wear makeup that there is a professional way to do it. Men are also expected to look professional which does in fact included clean nails and neat hair. Some men are also choosing makeup as an option to look younger or more presentable. The key is not to overdo it

And I'm going to suggest that a) you are a man and b) have no idea the pressure women here face with regards to wearing make-up. It was written into my contract at one point. A women who shows up with no make-up (not stockings) is told she is unprofessional because of it - regardless of her work being far above most males. I've seen it, I've experienced it. It is naive to think no one is suggesting women should wear make-up. Must be nice to be a guy and not face such BS.

We can also see the shaggy male students in the university smarten themselves up around this time of year. The hair gets cut and dyed black and they start appearing in smart suits. There's too much at stake to risk looking unkempt at interviews.

) have no idea the pressure women here face with regards to wearing make-up.

Sorry I gave you the wrong impression. I meant in the comments that had been written so far and in the caption. Depending on the company or work environment, I have no doubt of the truth of what you have written. In fact, I am sure it is true of many, if not most, of the companies around the world. I just did not get the impression that was the message of the photo. Most of the women I know seem to want to wear makeup even when they are not at work. Whether that is social pressure or the individuals own desire is certainly a matter for debate. I just got the impression that this was a class to show them how not to overdo it, which is what I often see when recruits first enter the job market.

It is naive to think no one is suggesting women should wear make-up. Must be nice to be a guy and not face such BS.

Actually, males in the same kinds of companies and work environments face similar 'BS'. No long hair, no facial hair, etc. Companies decide on a 'look' that they want and they demand their employees fit into it. This includes not wearing too much makeup or make up that is too gaudy as well.

Slumdog, I have worked in four companies. At least three have included in the "dress code" that women must wear make up and that it must be sublte, and natural looking. At least one company's rules said that we must have black hair, so I asked HR if they wanted me to dye mine. They then changed the rules to say, "natural hair colour".

Many young women could benefit from some professional training in applying make up. Blusher shouldn't go on the front of your cheeks, in big pink or orange circles below the eyes. Yikes!

@tmarie "Regardless of her work being far above most males", lol!

Personally I don't think women need make-up to look professional. However, if they are to use make-up then it does make sense to do it in a sensible manner. This may sound sexist, but too much of one shade of this or that could bring about a negative impression. I interviewed a nice lady the other day, but found myself looking at her eyebrows constantly as her make-up did not seem right. I see no problem with this type of activity.

Ah yes, job-hunting for new graduates in Japan ...

-same hair styles -same suits (black) -same bags (black) -same make-up (ie. almost none) What ever happened to making an impression?! Let them wear what the hell they want!

Archaic Japanese companies at their worst.

Yep, all they want are people who fit in rather than people who stand out - says a lot about Japanese working culture.

since the rich job givers are mostly (almost exclusively) men in this country, the only thing that matters to land a job is to have good looks (brains don't matter, just cuteness - kawaii). i love this country, but japan ranks almost lowest in the whole wide world when it comes to social equality for male/female.

@tmarie Was that in Japan? I've worked in several publishing and technical companies in Europe and no woman wears make up unless they want to.

One thing I find slightly disturbing about Japanese job hunting is having to send a mugshot with your application. Why is this necessary? Ugly people need not apply? Or is it more sinister... people who don't look Japanese enough need not apply?

And what about age? Do you have to state your age in Japanese applications?

Asking for age info or a mugshot is illegal in Europe (except for things like theatrical jobs)

the girl in a mirror is beyond makeup....

Most of the women I know seem to want to wear makeup even when they are not at work. Whether that is social pressure or the individuals own desire is certainly a matter for debate.

Want? Perhaps because they are told they are ugly without? I don't think most women "want" to wear makeup but feel they "have" to because of social pressures.

You're also comparing men cleaning up with makeup? Guess what, women cut their hair, clean their nails and do a lot more shaving then the males do. I really don't think you understand the pressure women face here, or anywhere for that matter, to look their best. Men are not judged nearly as much as women are when it comes to their looks.

Taiko, yes, it was in Japan. I was also told I had to wear skirts or dresses. Yes, picture and age are supposed to be included when applying for jobs here. I certainly don't agree with it but do it because I'd rather they see my ugly mug and look at my resume than just check out the resume and assume I have an ugly mug.

Yes, picture and age are supposed to be included when applying for jobs here. I certainly don't agree with it but do it because I'd rather they see my ugly mug and look at my resume than just check out the resume and assume I have an ugly mug.

Why would they assume you have an ugly mug? What the heck do you put in your resume?!

Lost, in Japan you are suppose to attach a picture. If a foreigner doesn't people assume it is because they are ugly - I say this having been on a hiring committee and hearing comments from the locals with regards to resumes and those without pictures.

To be honest, I think Japan is actually "pretty good" with regards to not basing sole judgements on looks. Plenty of famous people here who would get no where due to their looks back home. Plus, many of the salarymen here look like Jabba the Hut. Gives me hope.

@tmarie

A little late to reply, but...

To be honest, I think Japan is actually "pretty good" with regards to not basing sole judgements on looks.

I have to agree. Looks and height don't account for much in Japan, which is great. Which suggests that possibly there's another motive for having to send your mugshot!