Does being overweight/obese make it harder to find a job?

kit_katty
kit_katty Posts: 992 Member
in Motivation and Support
A friend of mine is probably in the obese category. She's unemployed and working hard at trying to find a job. She's had quite a few interviews, but so far, nadda.

Could it be that her weight could be the issue? It shouldn't be, of course, but people do judge.

I'm going to guess that few people if any would suggest I bring up her weight as something to work on in order to help her get a job... I'm just looking to help and/or understand and be supportive.

Thanks.
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Replies

  • LandonRand
    LandonRand Posts: 166
    It certainly shouldn't, but no doubt, it does.

    How many high profile CEO's do you see that are overweight?

    Answer, not alot.
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    Women love to be told that they need to lose weight
  • BOLO4Hagatha
    BOLO4Hagatha Posts: 94 Member
    For me it was the opposite. A former boss actually told me that he decided to hire me before we even sat down to talk because I was big, because to him that meant I had not social life so I must have dedicated my time in my studies and work.
  • estrobabe
    estrobabe Posts: 337 Member
    I know someone (who is obese) and she said that every time she went in for a job interview, the interviewers would immediately look at her up and down with a disgusted look. She said she knew before the interview would even start, that she was not even considered to be even hired. She believes that appearance does has its role sometimes. (That's her opinion)

    I'm not sure if that is the case, but the decision to hire someone should be based on qualifications not appearance, race, etc.
  • ubermensch13
    ubermensch13 Posts: 824 Member
    Yes, it does matter, although in a perfect world it shouldn't. There are stereotypes associated with obesity, just like there are with race/gender. there have been studies done that show the taller you are, the more income you will accumulate in your lifetime....
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I don't doubt that. Before I got fat, I used to be able to get a job by simply sending a resume. But the last 10 years or so I have had a *very* hard time with it. It may not be the case, but it wouldn't surprise me.
  • kit_katty
    kit_katty Posts: 992 Member
    For me it was the opposite. A former boss actually told me that he decided to hire me before we even sat down to talk because I was big, because to him that meant I had not social life so I must have dedicated my time in my studies and work.

    Wow, that's awful!
  • Jojo2k11
    Jojo2k11 Posts: 48
    I would say yes to that. I think that I have been passed over for jobs before because of my weight, especially when dealing with another woman. Its weird working in a predominantly male field the only time I've even had issues getting a job was when I dealt with women (who gave me the skinny chick once over) in the field.

    Interviewing with a guy though, no issue getting a job, even while big.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,989 Member
    Yes, it does matter, although in a perfect world it shouldn't. There are stereotypes associated with obesity, just like there are with race/gender. there have been studies done that show the taller you are, the more income you will accumulate in your lifetime....
    I need to move to Japan then..................

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • RhonndaJ
    RhonndaJ Posts: 1,615 Member
    I think it depends on the job, the people making the decisions, and the person looking.

    There really are too many variables to say a hard and fast 'yes' or 'no'.
  • basslinewild
    basslinewild Posts: 294 Member
    The Subway in the store I work at refused to hire a overweight girl. Their excuse was hygiene issues..
  • Ashley578
    Ashley578 Posts: 56
    I feel like it's hurt my chances of getting hired. Even though it's wrong to discriminate, that is part of the reason I decided to make this change, I'm currently a nursing student and I don't feel like I would be setting a good example for my patients if I stayed heavy.
  • fihealth
    fihealth Posts: 165 Member
    Sadly, race, aesthetic (including weight), gender, age, and disability have all been shown to influence employment and salary stats, all else being equal. We must do the best we can with what we have personally and change the system to remove prejudice against factors that have no necessary causal connection to stellar performance.
  • SmilesIowa
    SmilesIowa Posts: 43
    I think it also depends on how you present yourself. I know I have my weight going against me, so I make sure I look really nice, and that I smile big, and win them over with personality. I also know there are certain places not to even waste my time applying at. Also, when I walk in to an interview I look at the other people that have been hired there. If they are all a certain type, I know what my odds are.

    Like someone else said, there are a lot of variables. I just know that my weight works against me, so I have to bring out all the stops to win them over.

    Also, I have a friend who is skinny and pretty, and has an awesome resume, and I'm getting more second interviews and job offers than she is - so again, it all depends!

    I wish your friend lots of luck because it's really tough out there right now!
  • WickedGarden
    WickedGarden Posts: 944 Member
    Yes, I think it does play a huge role, sad to say.

    I have been both fat and skinny, it was easier to find a job when I was skinny, but I was still treated poorly when I was fat and skinny. Really depends on the job function.
  • susannahsutton1
    susannahsutton1 Posts: 372
    I am obese and am in a senior management role in the very image conscious publishing industry, so I would say no. However, I know that I get very self conscious, which is why I am trying to not be obese anymore because to perform well at my job I need to be at the top of my game, which includes ensuring I am not distracted by anything and my self confidence is good. Being happy with yourself is far more important than your size. If your size affects that, then you have a problem with getting the job you want IMO.
  • cuterbee
    cuterbee Posts: 545
    It depends on your field, your skills, and your confidence.

    I'm really good at what I do, I have a glowing resume, and any time I've wanted a change, it's never been a problem finding something new. Sometimes I even get job offers when I'm not looking. Lifetime, I think I've been turned down for 2 jobs; one was in a new city and I got lost on the way to the interview, which made me really, really late, and the interviewer was extremely angry and didn't even want to do the interview (this was pre-cellphone); the other was one I wasn't really qualified for, but thought I'd take a shot at it.
  • Gitn_Fit
    Gitn_Fit Posts: 40 Member
    I have had a VERY hard time finding work, even though I'm perfectly qualified and educated. Then again I'm in Michigan and it's hard to find work here anyway :) It has been extremely difficult to even get to the point of having an in-person interview, but even so I've never been hired once that happened either *lol* I just had an interview last week that lasted less than 5 minutes. We can guess why :P

    The job that I held before becoming unemployed I got the job because I was heavy as well. The lady doing the hiring was herself very heavy and she felt more comfortable with me being that I was female and heavyset. She wanted to hire me within seconds of me walking in the door.
  • Andreinne
    Andreinne Posts: 32
    Well, not that they'll ever tell you that your weight is the reason, but yeah.
  • Fitstephy
    Fitstephy Posts: 66
    only when you're a woman :/
  • amyfliesalot
    amyfliesalot Posts: 51 Member
    I'm guessing that being unemployed and overweight is not a good place to be. I know that I'm not happy being fat, and if I had to look for a job it would be terrible. My attitude is different now. I don't have as much confidence as I did 25 years ago when I got hired, even though I KNOW I'm an awesome stewardess. My friends have said for years that I was fine, that I look good, not to worry so much. Now we've looked up, and most of us are fat. And we're owning it. I wish someone had said 40 lbs ago, "you might want to start watching it". Then I wouldn't have 50 lbs. to lose...
  • kit1986
    kit1986 Posts: 23
    I know someone (who is obese) and she said that every time she went in for a job interview, the interviewers would immediately look at her up and down with a disgusted look. She said she knew before the interview would even start, that she was not even considered to be even hired. She believes that appearance does has its role sometimes. (That's her opinion)

    I'm not sure if that is the case, but the decision to hire someone should be based on qualifications not appearance, race, etc.

    OMG!!! I know exactly how she feels because that happens to me nearly EVERY SINGLE TIME I go for an interview. Most of the jobs I've applied for in the past have been through employment agencies, so I always have to have an interview with them first and so far nothing has benefited from them.

    It's actually getting to the point where I'm not looking for another job anymore and am simply making do with the one I've got (I guess I can't complain in that respect).
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    Maybe, maybe not. I think the biggest factors would be industry and location. I certainly wouldn't want to try finding a job in high fashion or someplace like South Beach while obese.
  • Graceious1
    Graceious1 Posts: 716 Member
    It may just be her approach. I know slimmer people who have the same problem.
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    In our society being in shape is absolutely looked at favorably when job hunting. Gripe all you want, it is what it is. Play the game or not, it's your choice. (This applies ESPECIALLY to outside sales positions, hence all the barbie-doll sales scum)
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    Even at 365lbs I didnt have a hard time finding work. I think it depends on your attitude and how you approach the employer you need tons of confidence.
  • tekeyla25
    tekeyla25 Posts: 84
    I dont see why it would but you know how society is...Sadly enough they associate obese people with lazy so it might have something to do. Not to mention I think employers are vain and for a woman they want to hire a bombshell
  • Yaya1976
    Yaya1976 Posts: 357 Member
    For me it was the opposite. A former boss actually told me that he decided to hire me before we even sat down to talk because I was big, because to him that meant I had not social life so I must have dedicated my time in my studies and work.

    WOW, I have no words :(
  • Bobby__Clerici
    Bobby__Clerici Posts: 741 Member
    Everything is harder....people will never admit it, but there is tons of discrimination against fat people.
    That's reality.
  • peckish_pomegranate
    peckish_pomegranate Posts: 242 Member
    Yes, it does make it harder. Employers want someone with a "neat and professional" appearance, which means not fat, no matter how neatly a big person dresses or how professional they are on the job. Fat is associated with things like laziness, no self control, selfishness, ugliness, etc. and even though that is untrue about the person, employers obviously make assumptions about a person based on those associations

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