Black And Hispanic Americans Are Switching Up Their Appearance For Job Interviews

When it comes to job interviews, everyone wants to put their best foot forward. But Black, Hispanic, and younger Americans feel the need to go the extra mile to impress potential employers, according to a study by the American Staffing Association conducted by The Harris Poll.

The study found that while the majority of Americans prefer in-person interviews, white Americans (74%) were more likely to opt for in-person interviews over virtual or audio-only formats than Hispanic (67%) and Black (65%) Americans.

Hispanic and Black Americans are also more likely to feel the need to modify their physical appearance before an interview.

The survey found that 74% of Hispanic Americans and 73% of Black Americans reported feeling the need to modify their appearance, compared to 65% of white Americans.

These modifications can range from changing hairstyles and shaving facial hair to removing piercings and covering tattoos. Black, Hispanic, and younger job seekers were also more likely to report using filters during virtual interviews.

Hiring is still biased

Previous studies showed that people of color who “whitened” or masked their race on their resumes were more likely to get invited to job interviews.

Similarly, the National Bureau of Economic Research found that when applying for entry-level roles to Fortune 500 firms, applicants with distinctively Black names were less likely to get callbacks than those with distinctively white names.

Names like “Emily Walsh” and “Greg Baker” got nearly 50% more callbacks than names like “Lakisha Washington” and “Jamal Jones”

For example, names like “Emily Walsh” and “Greg Baker” got nearly 50% more callbacks than names like “Lakisha Washington” and “Jamal Jones.” Similarly, a 2014 study found that managers of both sexes were twice as likely to hire a man as a woman.

Do virtual interviews help?

Many argue that virtual interviews help to level the playing field for applicants by eliminating demographic barriers and providing a standardized interview experience – removing pre- and post-interview small talk.

Still, judgments are made as soon as the candidate turns on their camera – whether it be their home’s appearance, the sound of children in the background, technical issues, or simply the candidate’s appearance. 

“Unfortunately, far too many (67%) feel the need to modify their normal appearance in some way prior to a job interview,” Richard Wahlquist, president and CEO at the American Staffing Association, said in a statement.

“To attract the best talent and create more inclusive workplaces, employers need to send a clear message to candidates that they are hiring based on skills and not physical appearance or dress codes from another era.”