How much do looks matter in finance?

I'm an undergrad in a target school aiming for corporate banking and as we all know, finance is a sales oriented business especially CB. Socially, I think I'm alright because I'm not socially awkward or anything and I'll adapt to my role but I'm wondering how much your appearance may affect your job performance.

Appearance wise, I'd say I'm solidly average but on top of that, I'm also kinda short (5'8 as a guy) so I got the short end of the stick in the genes department.

How much does this actually affect work performance though? Obviously being a supermodel helps but is it significantly harder for shorter, average looking guys to succeed?

12 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Well for one unless you're a pro NBA player, I don't see how height would directly affect your work performance.

But anyways, just look at some of the top people in the industry, not all of them are "attractive". Not saying it wouldn't help but the sooner you realize your worth is not based on your physical appearance, the more emphasis you'll put on things that actually matter for career development.

In any case, it aint that hard to at least look decent even if you arent the most attractive person naturally. Good fitting clothes, hygiene, posture and just how you carry yourself overall will already make you better looking than the average person.

"A guy gets on the MTA here in L.A. and dies. Think anybody'll notice?" - Vincent
 
"CATBanker" Well for one unless you're a pro NBA player, I don't see how height would directly affect your work performance.

It actually affects command presence and leadership potential. It has been studied and researched that most CEOs are 5'10" or above, or something like that.

As for success in the lower levels when starting out, yeah probably doesn't make much of a difference as the role is a 'followership' role at that point.

You could take over the world or a company at 5'2" - not saying it is impossible, just statistically unlikely.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

I don't doubt that being taller does help project your presence, and subsequently aid you in leadership situations but my point is height in the corporate world is not as big of a factor as for let's say pro b-ball. Many more important attributes will determine whether one is fit for leadership.

"A guy gets on the MTA here in L.A. and dies. Think anybody'll notice?" - Vincent
 

Minima necessitatibus unde delectus numquam. Quia in est expedita porro et est. Ad porro quia rerum enim officia nisi. Blanditiis nemo qui sed qui consequatur praesentium et. Sapiente consequuntur sint vel mollitia omnis.

Nam soluta autem enim id sapiente eos. Pariatur deleniti dolore iusto natus. Ullam quas omnis ad qui autem. Excepturi sunt aut et voluptatum.

Reiciendis et doloribus nesciunt. Sit quo alias et consequatur sunt harum rerum.

Sunt ipsam id nostrum dolore voluptatem. Vero laboriosam tempore dignissimos odit quas. Quia veritatis eum sed nihil laboriosam sed. Ut sapiente sed harum modi. Aut vel eveniet eveniet ipsa officiis voluptatum assumenda.

Don't beat yourself up on this, Eric. Some people like taking the long way home. Who the fuck knows?

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”