To think I'm not glamorous enough for this job?

[Jackfruitburger]

Ok long story, but I've taken a pay cut to work in a different sector with more chance of a promotion/ better pension and more sociable working hours. It will pay off in the long run but at the moment I'm skint. I need to get a Saturday job or another job to fit in around my current one so things don't feel so tight.
I've applied for one in a local estate agents which I'm over qualified for but will pay better than shop work (don't get me wrong, I worked in retail for years and LOVED it!) The thing that worries me is that I'm not the most glamorous woman in the world and most estate agents tend to be. We bought our house last year and every female estate agent I encountered had towering heels, perfect make up and flawless hair. I'm not dirty or scruffy but I don't enjoy doing my hair and I rarely wear makeup.
In my previous jobs as a receptionist this has been hinted at, one of my bosses even bought me make up once! Someone else left a leaflet about braces in my locker, it's been awful! I just don't care enough to try and on a personal note, I don't think it adds anything to my professionalism. I can do the job with or without false eyelashes.
Is this going to count against me in the interview? It really shouldn't but I know how these things work. You can never 'prove' that it's why didn't hire you.
Any tips?

My dad is a letting agent. They don't honestly care. Just know your stuff and show YOU care - you're in x

I would not expect an estate agent to be glam

Babycham, OP said she wasn’t prepared to do anything they wouldn’t expect a man to do. That is not the same as saying she’ll mindlessly do everything they’d expect a man to do. Hence of course she wouldn’t turn up with shaved face and short back and sides.
OP, dress neat (as I’m sure you would anyway) and good luck. 🍀

I would make the effort. Whether you do is entirely up to you and how much you want the job.

Yesterday at work I was told I am going to my first review in this position. I joked "oh I'd better look smart" my manager said "have you seen these scruffy social workers" yes I have. I was a scruffy therapeutic social worker with kids. I'm now in a position where I'm being trained for a management position, so it's out with the jeans, mad hair, t shirts and docs and in with make up, dresses, smart shoes. Tis a fact of life. Can't change it. I like my new job and the possibility for advancement enough to make the effort.

Do I perform better in make up and smart clothes......yes in this environment, I take on a different subjectivity and persona. Was I brilliant in my last role looking like a mad bag lady? Yes and the kids found me laid back, approachable and empathetic.

If I can make the change, one that is superficial but necessary I'm sure you'll manage if it's just for a few hours! I just see putting on a bit of make up as part and parcel of putting on my work persona. I go home and revert to a cross between a punk and a goth......have they got a surprise at the Christmas party, because I consider that to be on my time, not theirs.

I have never found estate agents to be glamorous. But doing nothing with your hair and going make up free is probably not going to cut it in a customer facing role. You need to find a middle ground, it does read like you think there is nothing in between the getting out of bed look and being a glamour model. Tidy yourself up! You have had enough hints.

An over made up woman or overdressed 'hipster' man in a suit would make me think that person is not to be trusted. As long as your clothes are smart and your hair is tidy, I could not care less.

I work in a professional office loads of women don't wear make up, or dress up and wear heels. They all still cone across and look professional.

They look like they have got up and made an effort though. Clothes are best. Hair his brushed or tied back neatly. They act professionally and carry themselev3s with confidence and so come across as professional.

I am somewhere in the middle. Sometimes I dress up a bit more sometimes it's smart jeans and a smart top. Sometimes I put alot of effort into my make up. Sometimes I don't.

I sold and bought a house last year. I don't remember any of the women being over glamourous. I remember them all being smart. Men and women. The men with beards had them very well groomed. Their hair done and neat and tidy. Proper dress shoes on. Full suits. The women were the same. In a range of outfits.

If you go in thinking you don't fit in. You won't fit in.

Our estate agent was definitely twelve, had teen acne, braces, a badly fitting suit, crumpled shirt and asked if 'the little lady would like to see the kitchen'

I hope you put in a complaint about this patronising sexist little shit.

I can see your argument, but if you are not prepared to follow the protocol for the job as such, then I think you should be looking elsewhere. Basically you have answered your own question.

"my grievance is with having to wear make up and heels."

Who says you have to?
As long as you are clean and tidy, wear smart clothes and look groomed, and basically look like you want the job then I don't see why you feel the need to wear make up and heels.

So - clean, tidy hair, neat nails, tidy eyebrows and smart clothes.

Appearance is all about how other people perceive you, so if you look scruffy and unkempt at an interview the interviewer will think that you aren't that bothered about the job, and your work will be as sloppy as your appearance. It isn't rocket science

As a PP has already pointed out dress for the job you want.

Men are not expected to wear makeup and high heels, no.

But they are expected to wear the equivalent. A suit, a tie, an ironed or starched shirt. A belt. Dark socks. Polished leather shoes. It all costs money and there are subtle gradations in styling that indicate how much money.

If you are concerned about being able to switch from the role you currently have to one where the surface matters more then maybe you should rethink this particular second job. If you really need the second job then work on your flexibility. Do you think you will lose something if you compromise a bit?

You could apply some tinted moisturiser and a barely visible lip colour, and make sure your hair is neatly cut and in good condition. You could do your nails in a clear or nude polish. You could add a little splash of some subtle perfume. You may not realise this, but many men put a similar amount of effort into personal prep for each day, with moisturiser, cologne, manicure, and careful shaving or expensive beard care.

You are representing a certain brand as an estate agent. The office you are applying for have an image they want their agents to convey.

While I would never condone the sort of communication you have suffered up to now regarding your appearance (the note in your locker and offer of makeup from your boss) it seems clear that people are sending you hints that you are determined to ignore. You seem so opposed to makeup and observing standards of personal appearance for women in the workplace that you come across like someone with a bee in your bonnet.

I work in a professional environment and wear full but normal make up every day (but never lipstick), but see lots of people at work who don't. I don't think it's a big deal at all. I never wear heels (too tall) and don't think that is an issue either. As long you are neat, tidy and smart so you look like you've made an effort. Straight or curly hair is not an issue either.

God, this is just another way to pose the whole it's so unfair women are expected to wear make up and heels.

No they aren't, it's personal choice and having bought and sold five times, rented twice, and also been a landlord twice, I've dealt with my fair share of female estate agents, and not one of them was presented in towering heels and a full face of slap.

Honestly, what bullshit.

In terms of curly hair, there is only one place that I know of that a friend didn’t get a job because of it. Harrods in 90s when the store approval process really only allowed young willowy beautiful blondes.

I’m tall and never wear heels. Why do you think you need to? I look very smart for work - far smarter than some of the other women who wear heels. The impression of smartness comes from the whole ensemble, not one part of it. Well fitting clothes that flatter your shape and neat hair are more important IMHO. Having curly hair is no excuse for untidiness. I’m mixed race and have curly hair but it’s always tidy, and I don’t straighten it.

If you don’t want to wear makeup, don’t. Personally I think everyone looks better with a LITTLE makeup, regardless of how attractive they are. Again, it’s not compulsory and you certainly don’t need to be caked in makeup.

You somehow give the impression that you look down on those who do wear heels or makeup, as though they are conforming and you are above this. There is nothing superior about messy hair and no makeup - equally people are not lesser because they care more about their appearance than you do. Ultimately, we all have choices. Make yours but don’t judge others for theirs.

If you apply for the job wearing clean, ironed, smart business clothes, with polished shoes, clean hair in a neat style then you should stand as good a chance as anyone. But if they want glamorous they might overlook you. I agree most women in the business are very glossy, so maybe it's not right for you.

I applied for a receptionist job earlier in the year. It did not say in the job description, however I was informed that if I got the job, I was expected to wear heels.

First time I've ever been grateful not to get the job. Once I used to live in heels, but now they give me calf pain.

Colly - I thought it was now illegal to make women wear heels all day long. There was a test case not long ago.