A3 Refereed book chapter or chapter in a compilation book

Looking Right for the Job: Appearances, Unequal Chances, and Gatekeeping in the Labor Market




AuthorsDe Keere, Kobe; Sarpila, Outi; Vonk, Laura

EditorsKuipers, Giselinde; Sarpila, Outi

Publication year2026

Book title Handbook of Beauty and Inequality

Series titleHandbooks of Sociology and Social Research

First page 185

Last page197

ISBN978-3-032-08034-9

eISBN978-3-032-08035-6

ISSN1389-6903

eISSN2542-839X

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-08035-6_14

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingOpen Access

Publication channel's open availability Open Access publication channel

Web address https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-08035-6_14

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/515699373

Self-archived copy's licenceCC BY

Self-archived copy's versionPublisher`s PDF


Abstract

This chapter explores how ‘looking right’—as distinct from ‘looking good’—influences labor market inequalities. It is based on a sociology of valuation and evaluation (SVE) perspective, drawing from literature in critical management and organizational studies. We provide an overview of how suitability is assessed in the labor market and how career gatekeepers make decisions. We show that appearance, with a focus on ‘the right look,’ is a crucial component in assessing suitability which informs labor market success and produces specific forms of inequalities. Our empirical case analyzes aesthetic advice given by staffing agencies on their websites. This analysis illustrates how labor market intermediaries regulate ‘looking right’ through aesthetic standards and occurs early in the hiring process. We argue that in the labor market, ‘looking right’ is as vital as ‘looking good’ because employee gatekeepers focus primarily on finding the right ‘fit’ between candidate and job. In this process, visual cues of ‘fit,’ which include, but extend beyond beauty and looking good, are crucial.


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Last updated on 06/03/2026 09:57:45 AM