Susana Wiesen wants her education to speak for itself when job hunting. She is finding her field hard to break into. (photo/lampertphoto.com)

First there was “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,“ then “Extreme Makeover” and now “The Swan.” America seems obsessed with reality TV makeovers. But some so-called physical flaws can’t be fixed with a pair of tweezers, a new wardrobe or diet, prompting some to turn to more drastic measures to improve their outer look. In business, the question is, will a makeover translate into better opportunities?

Susana Wiesen, 43, of San Diego says it depends.

The college graduate and mother of two went back to school later in life. She tried to break into pharmaceutical sales. But with zero experience, landing a job in the field was impossible. “I never got one interview in the field,” Wiesen says. “If they would have been able to see my person I would have at least had the opportunity to physically present myself.”

At 5 feet 6 inches tall Wiesen sports a chic super-short bleach-blonde haircut and a big wide smile. Despite her eye-catching look, Wiesen wants her education to speak for itself.

“When I was at UCSD I was a double English/Spanish (literature) major with a 3.9 GPA,” Wiesen says. “I worked my butt off and gained an education, hoping that some company would give me the opportunity to walk in at least for an interview. It never happened.”

Instead, Wiesen continues to take jobs outside her chosen field. One of her most recent jobs is as a server at an upscale Gaslamp Quarter restaurant. She says it was perseverance, not looks, that got her hired. “I kept going over there every week and bugging the owner. Finally one evening he was in a predicament, so he finally said ‘yes.’”

Whether looks really count in corporate America is a subject Judith Gumbiner prefers to avoid. As director of Career Services at SDSU, it is to her office that graduating students turn for advice. They seek coaching on everything from building a better resume to career workshops, internships, and dressing for success.

Judith Gumbiner, director of Career Services at SDSU, says appearance does count, but she’s not referring to attractive looks. Rather, she stresses the need to look professional and create a good impression. (photo/lampertphoto.com)

Gumbiner says appearance does count, but she’s not referring to attractive looks. Rather, she stresses the need to look professional and create a good first impression. Surprisingly, she says, many graduating seniors dress inappropriately for job interviews. “I’ve seen lots of problems when it comes to appearance,” Gumbiner says. “We have students who don’t use deodorant, don’t brush their teeth, all kinds of personal things.” Sometimes the advice seems too obvious. “We have to remind them no torn jeans and no T-shirts to a career fair,” she says.

Although it is rare for students to ask questions about changing their physical appearance through cosmetic surgery, occasionally the subject comes up. Gumbiner encourages students to think about first impressions. “Of course it depends on the industry and the position, but going conservative is always better, not too flashy,” she says. “Use common sense; be more reserved. It is better to be overdressed than underdressed.”

Aida Soria, 22, is a recent SDSU graduate. In her job search, the third generation San Diegan is relying on family and friends for contacts. She also frequents job Web sites like Craigslist, and CareerBuilder.com. Soria, at 5 feet 8 inches tall, considers herself a full-figured woman. She is hoping to break into the entertainment marketing field. Soria is confident with her skills and education and is not worried about getting shut out because of her size. “Would I change my appearance for a job?” she says, “No, but I’m realistic. I know in the entertainment field there is a certain fit to be in front of the camera. That’s why I am looking to do something behind the camera.”

As much as looks can count, comments about physique or facial features don’t belong in any interview, says Bill O’Toole, chief executive of jobsummit.com. “Companies risk being discriminatory,” says O’Toole, whose Web site mainly lists telephone sales positions. Solid job skills and knowing how to make a good first impression are the assets he stresses be brought to an interview, even before it officially begins. “The interview starts outside in the parking lot,” he says. “You never know who you are going to run into.”

While the over-relaxed Southern California look can sometimes send the wrong message, O’Toole notes that things are different than they were 20 years ago. “Now hair under the chin, or the chesterfield as they call it, is acceptable,” he says. “Even tattoos and body piercing are more acceptable than a decade ago. Most companies don’t make a big deal out of it. If they do they can be at risk of being discriminatory.”

Legalities aside, looks often do matter in the job hunt, says Ashley Rothschild, a Los Angeles-based image consultant. “We live in a country focused on paying attention to beauty.”

Rothschild conducts seminars and workshops on image. During one of the exercises, she asks participants to look around the room and choose someone in the crowd whom they would trust with their children or their money. “Like it or not,” she says. “As human beings we are judgmental by what we see.”

But Rothschild stresses to her clients that the right look for a job interview goes far beyond physical beauty. “It’s about total confidence, power and beauty, not about being a size 6,” Rothschild says. “Look at Anna Nicole Smith, God bless her. She is beautiful, She has beautiful features but the minute you hear her speak, no matter what size she wears, you don’t take her seriously.”

Rothschild counsels professionals from Massachusetts to San Francisco. For those who are looking for a complete physical makeover, she urges clients to ask themselves one question while looking in the mirror. “Have I done everything to try to improve my image? Can I accept this?” If they can’t, “Then maybe surgery is something they should consider.”

Regardless of the facial features or physical traits, Jean Marie Mulvaney, the regional director of Nordstrom’s Personal Touch division, says a professional, polished look is the key to winning over any employer. “It’s all about detail. The cut and fit of your suit or dress, the hair, the hands and nails, and the shoes. Everything should be in great condition.”

Appropriate, but not necessarily pricey attire is a key to making a good impression “You can buy a really expensive Armani suit but if the fit isn’t right, it won’t look any better than a $300 suit,” says Mulvaney.

Susana Capulong, 27, brought a polished look and good resume to her search for a marketing job. After several weeks of interviewing, Capulong landed an interview with a local company that sponsors workshops for real estate agents and mortgage lenders. She was relieved after learning she was being interviewed by two women. “Women tend to look at the person, the corporate culture and your personality to see if you fit in the department. Personality seems to count with women much more than looks.”

Capulong, half Filipina and half Mexican-American, has an exotic look. “People can’t tell my ethnic background,” she says. Even so, and despite weighing only about 100 pounds, she relies more on her work experience to get to the next step in her career, not her physical appearance. “It depends on the industry whether looks play a difference or not,” she says. “If you’re on the front lines like a receptionist, or a hostess or even on TV, yes, looks do play a part. I guess it’s just an unwritten rule.”