Does physical appearance have a significant importance in recruitment?

A new survey from HireScore revealed that applicants’ appearance is the fourth most important element in hiring decisions.

1,256 employers participated in the survey and 67% confessed that between two candidates of equal academic values, they would hire the applicant who was "better looking".
That aspect was highlighted by the fact that 34% mentioned that "more attractive" candidates made "better employees".

And over half of those thought that more attractive workers would most likely feel more confident and thus more effective in their jobs.
Less than 10% of these employers said they had hired employees based purely on physical appearance.

In spite of these answers, the multiple choice question regarding applicant’s employability showed that the "ability to do the job" was the first element taken into account (81%). Second came the applicant’s qualifications (73%) and social skills (71%). These factors were then followed by physical appearance (67%) and hygiene (61%).