Does Appearance Matter?
“If you’re ever unsure if you should be doing what you’re doing during YC, ask yourself this question: ‘Am I building our product? Am I talking to users? Am I exercising?’. if you’re not doing one of these things, you’re doing the wrong thing.”
-Paul Graham saying exercise is 1 of 3 things startup founders should do (link)
My dad sent me an interesting note that his aunt (my great-aunt) wrote on the topic of applying for a job in 1939 at 19 years old. Here is what she wrote:
In applying for a job these things are important (listed in order):
- vitality
- appearance
- poise
- tact
- well modulated voice
- knowledge of subject which you are applying for
I like the phrase “put together.” Appearance should not be distracting. It should be nice and put together. The content of the message should carry the weight, but a put together messenger can get further.
On the flip side, a negative or calling-attention-to-oneself appearance can be detrimental to the message and muddle your objectives.
I think appearance matters, but the message always matters more.
Remember, successful entrepreneurs continually invest in personal improvement.
What do you think about the importance of appearance? Does it matter?