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Think your good looks are helping you get ahead in the office? You're absolutely right.

Economist Daniel Hamermesh has been studying attractiveness in the workplace for decades now. He even published a book in 2011 about the subject — "Beauty Pays: Why Attractive People Are More Successful" — in which he reviewed a number of studies about attractiveness in the workplace. And what he found could come as a surprise to those of us that don't have what is known as the "beauty premium."

According to an article published in Newsweek, the "beauty premium" is the idea that attractive people tend to do better in almost every area of their lives just because they're pleasing to the eye.

In fact, Hamermesh found that attractive people earn more money over the course of their lives than those that aren't attractive. In his research, Hamermesh found that pretty people earn between 3 to 4 percent more. That percentage difference can add up to a whopping $230,000 more for attractive people. We guess it pays to be pretty!

And it's not just about money.

Hamermesh also found that not only do attractive people get hired faster, but they also tend to climb the ladder quicker. He also found that pretty people tend to hold higher-ranking positions with the companies they work for.

And if reading this information doesn't have you hot under the collar, you'll likely be after you read this.

In 2010, Newsweek surveyed over 200 corporate hiring managers for their article "The Beauty Advantage: How Looks Affect Your Work, Your Career, Your Life," and found that being beautiful pays big dividends when it comes to a person's career.

Not only did those surveyed admit that unattractive job candidates are less likely to land a job than those with good looks despite qualifications, but the managers also told Newsweek that candidates should put just as much time and energy into looking attractive as they do on making sure their resume is top-notch.

And the beauty advantage doesn't end there.

When Newsweek asked the hiring managers to rank employee attributes in order of importance, good looks were put above education. Imagine if you spend all that money to go to Yale just to be told your looks is what really landed you the job. At least the managers ranked experience and confidence ahead of attractiveness.

What's your take on this? Do you think being pretty is a help or hindrance in the workplace?

Also from this week's Forever 39 podcast — Sex scenes in movies. PLUS: What's in our handbags? Click on the podcast player above to hear the entire episode.

Share your thoughts on all of them below, on Twitter, on Facebook or at forever39@nj1015.com.

— Annette and Megan, Forever 39

Join us for next week’s podcast when we chat about whether cheap sex is to blame for the decline in marriage, making healthy habits stick, and paranormal experiences.

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