Men try harder with appearance for job interviews, research shows

-

Men may make more of an effort with their appearance and etiquette than women when it comes to job interviews, according to new research from CV-Library.

The job board’s survey of over 1,500 men and 1,500 women found that men are more eager to please, with 42 percent of men calling ahead of the interview to check the dress code compared to 29 percent of women. They are also willing to spend more money on their interview outfit, with 61 percent prepared to invest over £100 compared to just 10 percent of women.

Lee Biggins, managing director of CV-Library, comments:

“It’s great to see both men and women paying particular attention to their appearances for an interview. While a CV will indicate a candidate’s suitability for a role, a job interview provides businesses with the opportunity to learn more about an individual’s personality. Someone that has clearly spent time preparing for an interview demonstrates commitment and is likely to value both their profession and employer.”

HRreview Logo

Get our essential weekday HR news and updates.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Keep up with the latest in HR...
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Optin_date
This field is hidden when viewing the form

 

The research suggests that employers should pay attention to the minor efforts of prospective employees for a greater insight into their character.

Other findings included:

  • Focused on the detail, a staggering 93 percent of men shine their shoes, with 69 percent paying particular attention to their socks
  • 86 percent of men would get a haircut before an interview, compared to just 79 percent of women
  • On average, men take only nine minutes less time than women to get ready for an interview, showing little difference between the genders when it comes to primping time
  • 1 in 10 men give themselves more than two hours to get ready for an interview
  • 68 percent of men would still wear a suit jacket on a hot day, while a lesser 55 percent of women would brave the heat

Steff joined the HRreview editorial team in November 2014. A former event coordinator and manager, Steff has spent several years working in online journalism. She is a graduate of Middlessex University with a BA in Television Production and will complete a Master's degree in Journalism from the University of Westminster in the summer of 2015.

Latest news

Sustainable business starts with people, not HR policies

Why long-term success depends on supporting employees, not just meeting ESG targets, with practical steps for leaders to build healthier organisations.

Hiring steadies but Gulf crisis threatens recovery in UK jobs market

UK hiring shows signs of stabilising, but rising global uncertainty linked to the Gulf crisis is weighing on employer confidence and delaying recovery.

Women ‘face career setback’ risk with flexible working

Female staff using remote or reduced-hour arrangements more likely to move into lower-status roles, raising concerns about bias in career progression.

Jo Kansagra: Make work benefits work for Gen Z

Gen Z employees are entering the workforce at full steam, and yet many workplace benefits schemes are firmly stuck in the past.
- Advertisement -

Union access plans risk straining workplace relations, CIPD warns

Proposed rules on workplace access raise concerns about employer readiness and operational strain.

Petra Wilton on managers struggling with new workplace laws

“Managers are not being given the tools they need to fully understand how the rules of the workplace are changing.”

Must read

Eugene Farrell: Why HR and EAPs need to pull together to shore up mental health

Eugene Farrell explores why employer support on mental wellbeing is so important.

Video interview: A conversation with David MacLeod, OBE, Co-Chair of the Engage for Success Movement

David MacLeod, OBE, is an employee engagement guru. He is co-chair of the government sponsored, employer led Employee Engagement Task Force that was launched by the Prime Minister, David Cameron, at Number 10 in March 2011.
- Advertisement -

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you