Superficiality, at its worst

Luxury brands picky over staff; mandates resemble matrimonial ads - The Economic Times: ""Religion, caste and colour no bar (some locations will have a colour preference keeping customer sentiments in mind). However, customers should not get intimidated, because a large chunk will be first-time buyers in India. Therefore, the employee cannot have an aura about him/her and be prepared for mystery audits. Portfolios should be attached with resumes."

A luxury house asked staffing firm TeamLease to get applicants to send full-length photographs in western wear. Clients are sensitive to weight, too, says TeamLease senior VP and co-founder Sangeeta Lala, who adds that her firm recruits marketing students from second-rung MBA programmes, for fashion houses.

While the profile requirements may be the same for suitable men and women, more women get recruited as store staff. Again, though nobody admits it, those with fair skin are picked for the northern parts of the country, while duskier hues find greater acceptance in the south. "

'via Blog this'