Attractive women are getting the shorter end of the job stick, according to a new study out of Israel. Researchers at Ben-Gurion University tested the idea that more attractive people get more job opportunities. They sent out identical resumes with “average-looking” male and female headshots, “attractive” headshots, and no headshots to prospective employers. Attractive males got more callbacks than average-looking men, and — surprise, surprise! — attractive women got FEWER callbacks. The study argues that “female jealousy of attractive women in the workplace is a primary reason for the punishment of attractive women.” But we’re wondering if it’s something else — that those in power are intimidated by conventionally attractive women, not jealous of them, and anecdotal evidence seems to back this up. Either way, it’s a good thing that most places in the U.S. (sans Abercrombie & Fitch) don’t require headshots upon submitting your resume. [NYMag.com]
