Someone with an appealing appearance is often perceived as potential worker who is fit and healthy, said Henrietta Huzell, a professor in labor science at Karlstad University.

Physical appearance "is connected with employers' fears for increased costs stemming from sick leave," Huzell told the Swedish news agency Tidningarnas Telegrambyra.

Hiring someone for their physical appearance, "shows in all industries," she said.

Communication counts also. The study, which included 1,000 survey responses from hospitality, retail and financial companies, concluded that speaking well was more important to employers than beauty, Tidningarnas Telegrambyra reported.