Attention Abercrombie & Fitch, we have the perfect hiring pool for you. BeautifulPeople, the dating site that bills itself as “an exclusively beautiful community,” is launching an employment vertical on its website.
The company told Mashable its employment feature is intended for employers who want to hire “good-looking staff.” Think you fit the bill? To be considered for the BeautifulPeople job site one must hurdle the “elite” club’s entry requirements, including submitting a headshot that will be rated by existing members of the opposite sex. If one is deemed beautiful enough to gain entry – a process the company claims is “fair and democratic” – not only will you be able to “have access to the most attractive people locally and from around the globe,” but job seekers will also be able to look through the site’s job listings, apply directly to companies and network with other presumably “beautiful” people.
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While the website seems prima facie discriminatory, BeautifulPeople justifies its polices with the claim that “numerous studies have shown that consumers tend to respond more positively and are more receptive to attractive people.” “An honest employer will tell you that it pays to hire good-looking staff,” said Greg Hodge, managing director of BeautifulPeople, in a statement. “Attractive people tend to make a better first impression on clients, win more business and earn more.” Potential employers who have no fear of possible consumer backlash will be able to use the free employment service to access the site’s 750,000 member base and select their staff of “attractive” people. It’s unclear if any employers are actually using the site, but BeautifulPeople claims its site is “frequented by some of the world’s leading model scouts, talent agencies and production companies” looking to recruit talent.
The site launch comes at a time when Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries has been in the hot seat after his 2006 quote defending hiring only “good-looking people” to “attract other good-looking people” resurfaced and went viral.
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