Is Pretty privilege still a thing?
Previous studies showed that attractive job candidates are more likely to be hired, but a new study found that some employers might disfavour attractive people...let's talk about it
Let’s face it: in today’s world, looks can be a pretty big deal.
The assumption that a polished appearance equals intelligence or competence is something many of us have experienced, whether we're the ones being judged or doing the judging.
71% of hiring managers admit that an applicant’s physical appearance influences their decision-making. study HERE
And it’s not just about looking good, it’s about how much they assume that attractive people are capable. Research shows that attractive candidates are 72% more likely to be hired than their less attractive people for the same roles.
Looks really can be that powerful.
So, shaving your beard vs not shaving it.
Wearing a suit vs coming in a random shirt. This all matters
But hold up, don’t start hitting the gym just yet because it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for the good-looking people.
BUT, there’s now a catch;
While attractiveness does give you an edge, it’s not always a guaranteed win. In fact, a new study by Cambridge has shown that too much attractiveness can actually work against you.
Employers sometimes see highly attractive candidates as entitled, less hardworking, or assume they might bounce from the job faster because they have more options. So, in 2024, it seems being pretty isn't enough on its own.
The study explored how attractiveness plays out in the hiring world.
Researchers in both the US and China sent over 2,000 fake CVs through job portals, tweaking factors like looks, gender, and university status to see how employers would respond.
The results were pretty consistent across both countries. For high-status jobs, employers leaned towards candidates who had both elite university degrees and attractive appearances. For lower-status jobs, the opposite was true: candidates with less prestigious universities and lower attractiveness were preferred.
But here’s where it gets interesting: if a candidate had status inconsistency, for example, someone who went to a top university but wasn’t physically attractive, or someone who was super attractive but attended a lower-status school, they were less likely to be called back. This suggests that employers want consistency in their candidates' traits, and if those traits don’t line up, it creates a red flag.
So, is the beauty bias slowly fading? Well, attractiveness still gives you a leg up, but it’s no longer the magic ticket it once was. In 2024, employers are looking for more than just a pretty face, they’re after a balanced package. Looks may still matter, but they aren’t the only thing that will get you the job.
Looks like we might be entering an era where brains, experience, and consistency win over superficial judgments.
What a relief, right?
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I loved this, such an informative and interesting read!!