Dress and Physical Attractiveness of Women in Job Interviews
Abstract
This study was an investigation of the independent and combined influence of physical attractiveness and dress on impressions thatfemale and male hiring agents form about the personality characteristics of females applying for either male or female dominated jobs. Three hundred college campus recruiters served as subjects. Each subject received a questionnaire with a photograph of a job applicant attached and a written request to rate the applicant on 26 personality characteristics using a five point scale. Data were subjected to factor analysis, analyses of variance and the Scheffe Test. Results indicated the dress of the applicants exerted a consistent influence on subjects'ratings. The physical attractiveness of the applicant, type of job applied for, and the sex of the hiring agent had only a slight effect on ratings.
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1 This research is part of a larger study on the effects of appearance on employment. See Johnson and Roach (1986) for a report on another part of the study.
2 Facial attractiveness was selected as a measure of physical attractiveness on the basis of Adams' (1977) finding that facial attractiveness is a consistent and central factor in ratings of "physical attractiveness."
3 All photographs used in the study were taken under identical photographic conditions.
4 For actual photographs used in the study see Johnson, Kim K. The influence of physical attractiveness and dress on hiring agents' impressions of a female's personality and employment potential for sex-typed jobs (Doctoral Dissertation University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1984).
5 Position descriptions were adopted from Laking, J. and Roark, R. (1983). Retailing job analysis and job evaluation. New York: National Retail Merchants Association.
6 Personality characteristics included in the study but appearing in factors with eigenvalues less than one were reliable, cheerful, conscientious, loyal, likable, adaptable, friendly, tactful, confident, works well with others, and feminine.
7 Note: Lower mean scores indicate more favorable ratings.
References
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Article first published: March 1987
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