The Effect of Scents on Perceived Employability

Abstract

The purpose of this master's dissertation is to highlight the role played by scents on the decisions made by recruiters during their first face-to-face meeting with a job applicant. This work uses an experimental approach to investigate the bias smells play on the final decision of hiring or not a candidate for a job position. The first part of this thesis introduces the previous literature on the topic, using a critical approach. In the second part, the experiment is explained starting with the development of the hypothesis: does smell have a significant impact on the selection process of a worker? Subsequently, the design process and the research method will be clarified, followed by the results testing. The conclusion will explain the possible implications of the findings in the workplace, pointing out any aspects that should require further investigation.