A new study has generated a controversial statistic that would suggest attractiveness has a key role to play in the sales sector.
The report by economist Eva Sierminska, which is available to view at IZA World of Labor, shows that good-looking people earn higher wages than those who are less attractive.
Eva Sierminska said: “Our societies reward investments in physical appearance. Contrary to some expectations, men benefit more in the labor market from investing in good looks than women.”
Key points from the report include:
- Physically attractive workers earn up to 15% more than those considered less or unattractive
- The beauty pay gap is larger for men than for women
- Good looking employees benefit their employer, especially if their job demands interaction with customers or clients, because people prefer to interact with attractive people
- The beauty gap starts in childhood with beautiful children attracting more attention and developing more confidence than their ‘plainer’ peers
- Beautiful people are paid higher wages to do the same jobs as less attractive peers
- Attractive people receive far more call-backs for interviews, indicating employers judge that plainer applicants will be less capable in their jobs
