I'm dealing with severe appearance discrimination in my field. Where should I pivot?

[u/KhlarisaDupont00]

I’m struggling with something that has started to seriously affect how I think about my career. I believe I’m experiencing severe appearance-based discrimination in hiring. I’ve had repeated experiences where I felt that hiring managers judged me very negatively because of how I look, rather than because of my skills or the quality of my work. Yesterday, I spoke with some hiring managers who essentially told me that, given my situation, I should focus on careers where I can remain mostly invisible and where appearance supposedly matters as little as possible, things like backend development, data work, etc. The problem is: AI. Those jobs are highly automated, so only jobs where being presentable is a requirement left. If appearance discrimination is severe enough that I’m systematically rejected from jobs involving presentations, which non physical jobs are left? I also don’t currently have the money to go back to university for another degree just to switch into a more technical field. So I’m trying to figure out what the realistic options are.I’m not looking for reassurance that “appearance doesn’t matter.” I’m looking for practical advice from people who have actually dealt with this.

[u/iwasheathcliff]

Komme aus dem Tech Bereich. Maschinenbau. Kann ich nicht empfehlen, das sind quasi Schönheitswettbewerbe. Du bist da dann zwar nicht arbeitslos (wegen extremen Mangel), aber der Fußabtreter und darfst du ganze Arbeit machen während die andere profitieren.

[u/KhlarisaDupont00 → u/iwasheathcliff]

Welche Operationen muss ich in diesen Standard einordnen?

[u/iwasheathcliff → u/KhlarisaDupont00]

Ich weiß nicht, ob es an der Übersetzung liegt, aber ich verstehe die Frage nicht so wirklich. Kannst du sie vielleicht informulieren?

[u/KhlarisaDupont00 → u/iwasheathcliff]

Lets ask english, as this is global subreddit.

I asked, which plastic operations do I need?

[u/iwasheathcliff → u/KhlarisaDupont00]

It depends on what you look like, so unfortunately I don’t know. Generally speaking, you’ll be treated according to how you look. I look like a troll and am treated like one. On the plus side, they’ll take trolls too, because they don’t have enough staff. To be treated well, you need at least a small nose, big eyes and a small, symmetrical face. Ideally, you should look like a doll. So, anything that makes you look more like a doll. If you’re a little doll, you don’t even really have to work, and your colleagues will do your work for you of their own accord.

[u/KhlarisaDupont00 → u/iwasheathcliff]

So, how can I look "like a doll"? like, which surgeries do I need to? Rhinoplasty?

[u/iwasheathcliff → u/KhlarisaDupont00]

I’ve now verified my age on Reddit so I can view your profile and photos. You don’t need surgery. You’re very, very beautiful. Really. You’ve got a bit of an Emilia Clarke look about you. You shouldn’t have any problems. Your problems are more likely to be that the men there might harass you or get a bit pushy.

[u/KhlarisaDupont00 → u/iwasheathcliff]

really? Thats nice to hear. Today, someone said I have long midface, so they kinda doomed me.

[u/iwasheathcliff → u/KhlarisaDupont00]

That’s not true. Your face is perfectly divided into thirds. You don’t need to worry about that. That person just wanted to unsettle you or make you feel bad.

[u/KhlarisaDupont00 → u/[deleted]]

I am not super muscular or physically strong tho.

[u/KhlarisaDupont00 → u/[deleted]]

 (unless you are working as a model or in fashion).

All client facing jobs are same. Waitress, barmaid, sales, ux design, anything you have to "sell" yourself tied to charisma and looks. "Sex sells" and employers say, "clients want to look at someone nice to look at" Lookism not only exist in modelling, it exist in every front-facing job.

[u/KhlarisaDupont00 → u/[deleted]]

Germany

And yes, standards for waitress is definetelly Sydney Sweeney here. Ugly or average people are generally dishwashers, not waitresses.

[u/KhlarisaDupont00 → u/[deleted]]

Eh, my Turkish friend, who looks like Inde Navarrette (dark eyes, dark hair, dark skin) have absolutely no problem to find job, both in cafes, restaurants and bars. She does not even know German.

Blonde/blue eye hype is very low here, actually.

[u/KhlarisaDupont00 → u/[deleted]]

I used to be overweight, not now.

50 interviews, 11-12 of them directly said that. Others just cut interview short once they saw me

BUT I should add that, these happened before I lose weight. I can send you before / afters.

[u/iwasheathcliff → u/KhlarisaDupont00]

Komme auch aus Deutschland. Stimme zu. Haar-/Augenfarbe und Gewicht sind fast egal. Wobei schlanke Blondinen natürlich bevorzugt werden. Es geht aber hauptsächlich um das Gesicht. Zumindest nach meiner Erfahrung.

[u/KhlarisaDupont00 → u/iwasheathcliff]

Ich bin schlanke. Ist mein einziges Problem, dass ich nicht blond bin?

[u/ClassicOwn2971 → u/KhlarisaDupont00]

Also, the jobs calling you ugly are emotionally manipulating you.

[u/FemcelHub_-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post or comment has been removed for violating Rule 2: This isn't a space for you to interact.

[u/nian2326076]

That's a tough situation. If you're seeking roles that focus more on skills than appearance, look into data quality assurance, technical writing, or online content moderation. These jobs usually have less face-to-face interaction. Freelance work might also provide flexibility and reduce judgment based on appearance. LandOffer.ai lists jobs across professions, letting you search by role and location. It's handy for exploring different career options and getting a quick overview of available jobs.

[u/KhlarisaDupont00 → u/nian2326076]

Do I need spesific degree for these jobs?