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Original Communication

Effects of Facial Attractiveness, Gender, and Competence of Applicants on Job Recruitment

Published Online:February 03, 2009https://doi.org/10.1024/1421-0185.68.1.33

Abstract

Many studies have shown that physical appearance has a strong effect on hiring decisions, but they have not simultaneously taken into account the applicant’s competence, the hierarchical status, and job sex type. Recruiters rated the hireability, utility, and desirability of eight applicants based on their resumes, which varied according to a 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 design with four within-subject variables (Gender × Attractiveness × High/Moderate Competence, Male/Female Sex-Typed Jobs) and one between-subjects variable (hierarchical status of the job: managerial/nonmanagerial). An univariate, repeated-measures analysis conducted on the composite score showed a main effect of attractiveness and competence. Globally, decision-makers gave more favorable ratings for male sex-typed jobs than for female sex-typed jobs and for low-status jobs than for high-status jobs. Attractiveness and competence had a more disadvantageous effect for female than for male sex-typed jobs.

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