MY YOUTHFUL LOOKS HARM MY WORK LIFE

Dear Coleen

I’m a 30-year-old man and have a good job, but I feel I’m being held back by my appearance. Basically, I have a real baby face and look 10 years younger than I am. Sounds great, right?

Well, it’s not that helpful in a work environment. Clients always question whether I have enough experience and I’m not sure how seriously the partners take me either – I’m sure I’ve even been mistaken for the intern on more than one occasion.

It sounds trivial, but it’s affecting my confidence. Any tips?

Coleen says

Am I meant to feel sorry for you here? (Joke). OK, well you know you have the training and the experience, and are more than capable of doing the job brilliantly, so that’s the persona you should project. That’s what should be giving you confidence.

Don’t cower away and start behaving like the intern.

If a client questions your suitability for the job, just remind them calmly what your background is and reassure them they’re in safe hands.

And with your bosses, why not push yourself forward and offer to help with extra things, so you’re in their minds?

I’m sure you’ll have the last laugh in middle age when your colleagues are all crumbling and the clients all want the office’s young hotshot!