Can someone who is ugly work as software engineer?

[Maelissa]

I ask this question, because some recruiters said my face was too ugly to give presentations to stakeholders, during interviews. I was presentable and clean, with make up, but I have an unfortunate bone structure.

Does it matter how our face looks like if we want to work as software engineer? My grades and credidentals are good, I am at 1800 in leetcode.

[IslaTheWitch]

I don't think since pandemic started any recruiter has ever seen my face lol... they always called me by phone and then recommended me for the job :D so the interview team were the first people to see me...

but I can't say how common it is...

[TheSpaceGnome]

When engineering software, you want to do the hiring, not be hired. Looks really don't matter either way though, you aren't humping the computer to get it to run code for you.

[Maelissa]

Yeah, but some said client meetings are part of job, so employers wouldn't want someone hideous to look at

[RebelinSteel]

Some orgs keep devs in the basement, you should be fine

[Maelissa]

Thanks :) Some people in reddit said as a software engineer, I have to attend client meetings and I am too ugly for that, thats why I am stressed

[DarkLegacy]

This is the problem in the modern world, too much empathize placed on looks. It should be classed as discrimination, it should not matter what you look like.

[Maelissa]

Yeah it is a discrimination. Do you think I will be discriminated less in other fields?

[DarkLegacy]

Probably yes, it all depends on what job you are doing, some fields are worse then others. but you should not let that stop you doing what you want to do.

[Maelissa]

In which fields I would be discriminated less because of being ugly?

[DarkLegacy]

WFH jobs, driving buses, taxis etc, the police, fire service, healthcare, retail, cleaning

[Cheapskate]

What a fucked up thing to say

[Maelissa]

Agreed. It is technically discrimination, but appearently it is a bussiness strategy to not hire ugly people

[Cheapskate]

Even if it was a business strategy they didn't need to say it.

[Maelissa]

Yeah. But maybe, I should change fields if it is a hinderance for me?

[Cheapskate]

I don't know. It seems messed up. Appearance is not the only thing that matters when giving presentations. What if someone looks like a supermodel but sucks at explaining stuff or has a really annoying voice or is just a bit of an asshole? Then what?

[sawno]

Nobody cares about your looks in IT.

[Maelissa]

Nice :) Some people in reddit said software engineering is client facing. Is it not? (I ideally want to work remote, but I dont mind working in office too as long as I womt be seen by clients)

[sawno]

Not neccesarily, I am an IT administrator and work from the office. Occationally there are clients over but so far all my own client interactions have been over the phone. I mostly do backend work, its my boss that visits the clients to discuss face to face.

[sawno]

Also keep in mind your original OP job sounds like it was sales / marketing. Thats superficial stuff where looks matter a lot, nobody cares how engineers look.

[Maelissa]

Nice. I wanna work in frontend, and occasionally do some UI stuff. if all client interactions are done over phone and I dont have to be seen by public, I will do fine

[jahaims]

Duh.