# Superficial Promotion-Preventing Charts The Infographic Covers Appearance-Based Promotion Factors By Alyson Wyers | Published 2015-07-29 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/promotion-factors References: [designtaxi](http://designtaxi.com/news/378190/Infographic-9-Appearance-Mistakes-That-Are-Standing-Between-You-And-A-Promotion/) & [businessinsider](http://www.businessinsider.com/superficial-reasons-youre-not-getting-a-promotion-2015-7) This infographic looks at superficial promotion factors and the appearance-based reasons why you might not have been upgraded in your job. Created by [Business Insider](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sinus-saline-nasal-spray) based on survey results from CareerBuilder, the chart '9 Appearance Mistakes That are Holding You Back at Work' discusses the things that dissuade employers from promoting their employees. 44% of surveyed human resource managers said they were less likely to promote someone who wore [provocative clothing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mwcurated) in the office. When it comes to clothing-based promotion factors, 43% were dissuaded by wrinkled clothes and 27% by [casual attire in the workplace](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-corporate-edit). Even though the taboo about tattoos seems to be diminishing, many still said visible tattoos influence their decisions. Nontraditional piercings, unprofessional hairstyles, constant bad breath, wearing too much fragrance and too much makeup were other superficial (and probably sexist) factors. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.7/10 - Popularity: 95% | Activity: 99% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Life](https://www.trendhunter.com/life) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Appearance-based Promotion:** There is room for disruptive innovation in the fashion and beauty industries with the rise of appearance-based promotion factors. - **Gender Equality in Workplace:** The survey results suggest a need for more gender equality in the workplace, particularly in how appearance is viewed in promotions. - **Employee Wellness Programs:** Companies could implement employee wellness programs that promote healthy lifestyle choices and address bad breath and fragrance overload, which are potential barriers to promotion. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion:** The fashion industry could benefit from creating office-appropriate clothing lines to combat negative perception of provocative or wrinkled clothes affecting promotion prospects. - **Beauty:** The beauty industry can focus on creating professional makeup and fragrance lines that cater to office environments and don't come across as too overwhelming. - **Human Resources:** Human resources departments could revamp their promotion criteria to eliminate potential biases related to appearance and instead focus on work-related qualifications and accomplishments. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Curated Workwear Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/petal-and-pups.md) - [Executive Workwear Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/12th-tribe-x-corporate-natalie.md) - [Diversity-Promoting Beauty Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diversitypromoting.md) - [High-Concept Brand Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/legitimate-you.md) - [Satirical Feminist-Forward Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/underpaid-women.md) - [Org Chart Visualizers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-org-for-linkedin.md) - [Professional Networking Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peerlist.md) - [Skincare Investment Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skinvestment.md) - [Hidden Discrimination Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/throwaway-comments.md)