Looks can kill your career.

• Position: Your Life - Brief Article

With tough times and a tight job market, large numbers of extremely qualified applicants are competing for fewer jobs. To determine how to maximize the chances of success in the job market and the workplace, Just For Men Haircolor commissioned a nationwide survey, which revealed a common thread--appearance matters. Key findings include:

* Nearly 70% of respondents said that appearance impacts salary and looking younger is important for men's career advancement and promotion.

* Almost 65% reported that men had lost out on job opportunities because they looked too old.

* More than 75% admitted that, in today's economy, looking younger gives men a competitive advantage in the job market and workplace.

This is not good news for the large numbers of aging baby boomers in the workplace and job market who are hitting the so-called "silver ceiling." Interviewers are increasingly younger than applicants, and they typically hire younger people. Survey results indicated that gray hair puts men at a disadvantage when it comes to job security because it conveys negative perceptions about effectiveness and energy levels on the job.

According to the 2000 Census results, almost 30% of the U.S. population is between the ages of 35 and 54, which amounts to approximately 40,500,000 men. Baby boomers are aging, and it is hard for them to accept, especially because many are discovering that ageism exists in the job market. There is evidence in statistics, lawsuits, and Supreme Court rulings.

Respondents clearly agreed that overall looks, in addition to a younger appearance, is an asset for men in today's workplace. According to the survey, the most notable signs of aging for men include out-of-style clothing (73%), low energy or...