Acne isn't just a preteen worry anymore: It may be reason
someone isn't hired for a job.

People with moderate to severe acne or prominent birthmarks and
scars may be discriminated against in the job market, according to
a recent study conducted by Rice University professor Mikki Hebl
and University of Houston professor Juan Madera.

The study, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, found
that in mock interview settings, interviewers were more likely to
be distracted by a job candidate's facial birthmarks and acne and
would give that candidate a lower evaluation score than one who
didn't have facial blemishes.

Madera and Hebl conducted two studies: One tracked eye activity in
undergraduate volunteers and the other featured experienced
employers.

The first study found that the undergraduate volunteers couldn't
help but keep their eyes on a person's facial blemishes instead of
his or her eyes or mouth. The second study found that experienced
managers rated applicants with clear skin higher than those with
scars and blemishes. The undergraduate volunteers rated their
blemished applicants better than the experienced managers
did.

Jill Skufe, a career development coordinator at the UF Career
Resource Center, said the CRC hasn't had any students ask questions
about how acne or facial scars could play a role in their job
searches.

She said her advice to students who may be concerned would be to
look as presentable as possible.

Women shouldn't go overboard with makeup, Skufe advised, but if
they are worried, they should ask someone close to them.

"Just ask someone you know and trust and can be honest to you," she
said.

Katherine Shearouse, a 22-year-old public relations senior, agrees
with the study's findings.

"If you're unkempt or have zits all over your face, I think people
are put off by it," she said. "It may not be professional, but it
happens all the time."

But appearance shouldn't be the only factor, she said.

"If you're completely overqualified and you have a scar, I don't
think they're not going to hire you because of that," Shearouse
said. "But if they have someone just as qualified as you are, they
would rather hire him or her."