At a time when the ranks of the unemployed are growing and people are losing their healthcare insurance, some job seekers are opting for elective plastic surgery to give themselves an edge in finding new employment – even if they have to pay for it out of their own pockets.

According to a recent American Society of Plastic Surgeons survey of 756 women between the ages of 18 and 64, approximately 13 percent would consider having a cosmetic procedure to make them more competitive in this tight job market.  Three percent admitted to having plastic surgery procedures to increase their perceived value; 73 percent said that appearance and youthful good looks are essential to getting hired, being promoted and even acquiring new clients – particularly in these difficult economic times.

Stephen Greenberg, a Manhattan plastic surgeon, hopped on the trend and is promoting what he calls a “Job Fighter Package”.  “We’ve probably done no less than 50 to 60 tune-ups since launching the package about five months ago,” Greenberg says.  “Men and women in their 40s and 50s are competing with peers 10 to 15 years younger and employers naturally tend to go to a person who looks younger and fresher, despite who is better qualified.  “Some of Greenberg’s patients are taking out loans to pay for their facial tune-ups.