NEW RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THOSE FROM A LOWER SOCIAL STATUS MIGHT STRUGGLE IN THEIR JOB SEARCH

New research has revealed that job applicants from lower social status backgrounds are less likely to be successful in their job search, despite having the same qualifications and experience as candidates from higher social status backgrounds.

The study found that job applicants who identified as being from lower social status backgrounds were significantly less likely to receive a positive response to their job applications, with a lower likelihood of being invited for an interview or being offered the job. This held true even when other factors, such as education level and work experience, were taken into account.

The findings suggest that there may be unconscious biases at play in the hiring process, with employers potentially favouring candidates from more privileged backgrounds. This may be due to assumptions about their suitability for the role or their perceived cultural fit with the organisation.

The study highlights the need for greater awareness and understanding of the impact of social status on employment outcomes, as well as the need for measures to address this issue. This could include measures such as blind recruitment processes, which remove identifying information such as name and address from job applications, as well as training for hiring managers to help them identify and overcome potential biases.

Overall, the research underscores the importance of addressing systemic inequalities in the job market, and the need for ongoing efforts to ensure that all job seekers have an equal opportunity to succeed, regardless of their social background.