The_effect_of_gender_nonconformity_of_the_applicant_on_CV_ratings- _mediated_by_perceived_warmth-_competence_and_morality

Abstract

Appearances are often found to be subject to discrimination in the hiring process. The present study investigates the effect of gender nonconform appearances on CV ratings. A job ad for a junior lawyer and four different CVs were created. Only the photo of the four CVs differed, depicting a female gender conform person, a female gender nonconform person, a male gender conform person and a male gender nonconform person. Participants were asked to imagine that they were a recruiter and had to judge the suitability of the applicant for the job ad. Participants (n = 174) rated the CV on a scale for perceived hireability, perceived qualification and salary conferral. To investigate mediating processes, additional scales for warmth, competence and morality were filled out (n = 169). Gender nonconformity of the male applicant as opposed to gender conformity negatively affected his assigned salary, but not his perceived hireability and perceived qualification. Gender nonconformity of the female applicant as opposed to gender conformity positively affected her rated hireability, but not her assigned salary and rated qualification. No mediation effects were found. Although not for all variables effects are found, this study does show that gender nonconform people might face some discrimination according to the salary differences obtained for men and the hireability differences obtaind for women. These are important findings, because discrimination could be one of the causes for the poorer psychological wellbeing of gender nonconform people and their lower average income. Further research is needed to investigate if the missing of expected effects is due to limitations of this study.