A 21-year-old Brazilian woman says her appearance has cost her dozens of job opportunities, despite her qualifications and determination to work.
Alê Gaúcha, a brunette from Brazil, shared that she has attended around 50 interviews in the past three years since completing a childcare course but has never managed to secure a position. Hoping to work as a nanny, she believes her body and looks have overshadowed her skills and professionalism.
“I would go in confident, present my certificates, talk about everything I had learned, but no one ever got back to me,” Gaúcha told NeedToKnow, recalling how she tried to highlight her training and experience during interviews.
“At first, I thought it was due to lack of experience, but after so many attempts, I started to believe the reason was something else,” she continued, explaining how repeated rejections made her question whether employers were judging her appearance rather than her abilities.
According to her, many women seeking childcare help may be hesitant to hire someone they view as “too attractive,” worrying it could create problems at home.
“I wanted to show my professional side, but it seemed like no one could see it,” she admitted, expressing her frustration that her efforts were dismissed.
Instead of enjoying what’s often referred to as “pretty privilege,” Gaúcha feels she’s facing the opposite — with her appearance creating barriers rather than advantages in the job market.
Unable to find stable work in childcare, she eventually turned to social media, where she began posting photos and videos. Her following quickly grew, allowing her to start earning money as a content creator. While not her original career plan, she says it has given her both independence and purpose.
“Even if I don’t practice [nannying] today, the nanny I once was is still with me,” she explained. “I still feel connected to that experience because I dedicated myself and prepared for it.”
Reflecting on her journey, she added: “On one side, I was looking for stability; on the other, I found freedom.”
