Looks 'a key factor' when it comes to recruitment

A person's appearance often plays a key role when it comes to being hired for a particular job, a new survey has found.

Research carried out by experts at the University of Colorado Denver Business School, shows that female applicants often have an advantage when it comes to their chances of successful sales recruitment if they are attractive.

However, where supposedly 'masculine' jobs such as mechanical engineer are concerned, good looks can be detrimental.

Professor Stefanie Johnson, assistant professor of management at the university, commented: "In two studies, we found that attractiveness is beneficial for men and women applying for most jobs, in terms of ratings of employment suitability. However, attractiveness was more beneficial for women applying for feminine sex-typed jobs than masculine sex-typed jobs."

It comes after Jerri Barrett, vice president of marketing for Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, said that there are currently not enough women in technical roles such as IT, which is often due to the small percentage of female students in college classes.

Are you a sales engineer looking for technical sales jobs? Aaron Wallis are a leading sales recruitment consultancy with a dedicated Engineering and Technical sales division. Their committed engineering recruitment consultants are perfectly placed to help further you career within mechanical engineering, manufacturing or Industrial Sales.

Posted by Nikki Barrister 

Filed: 09-08-2010