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

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....

^^^^^ REALLY?? I'm 6'3''- 6'4''Maybe that will negate my super-obesity! Well if I was going to stay super-obese anyway....

I had an employer hire me because I "showed well". He said that the fact that I was dressed nicely and carried myself the way well got me the job. He was impressed because he perceived that bigger people seem to usually be...well...sloppy. This employer is a friend now...and has moved to a different company, that's why it was appropriate to have this conversation. I absolutely agree with the person I quoted about the stereotypes associated with obesity. I am obese and I work in corporate America and I know it's an issue that I have to combat. Thank God I "show well" I suppose.

It certainly shouldn't, but no doubt, it does.

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

Answer, not alot.

Actually I haven't worked many places in my life, but all of the high office guys in my office are pretty big. I am not sure if it is how they eat or that they are sedentary in an office?

When I was going for teaching in college, one of my professors told me he had hired teachers before (he was once a principal) and he would not have hired me because I am obese. He said if he was interviewing two people of the same values on paper, but one was obese and one was not, he would hire the one of normal weight.

I am just a receptionist now...but I just don't know how I would manage to do my job if I weighed more. I find that now I am smaller I have more energy and the running about the office doesn't bother me as much-most days. Of course there are days I just wish I could lay down and sleep...but if I were still obese I think it would be a challenge.

I'm sure this won't win me any friends, but the truth is fat people are seen as lazy, unmotivated and lacking self-discipline. Plus, there are issues of health insurance costs and more missed work due to bad knees, etc.

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.

This. I'm currently working on a paper about how makeup and wardrobe can even strongly affect this. Studies have shown that attractive people are perceived as nicer, more competent, and more intelligent than average people. Weight in the west is also a class issue, and people who are born into working class families are less likely to get the job than people of middle or upper class families. Wardrobe, makeup, etc. is a factor, so is the fact that the corporate world is arranged by middle class people and carries many of their values, which can make it difficult for working class people to learn to navigate certain essentials like networking and company politics.

The upside is that everyone has different built in prejudices. I've had jobs where nearly all the employees were obviously overweight adult females. It doesn't have to be a dealbreaker. You never know why someone picks a candidate, often if the skills and pay expectations are the same it comes down to people's gut feelings about a person or really weird little things, and the job market is tough right now, with a lot of people for every open position. It's a numbers game and the best thing to do is keep trying.

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)

true. i did marketing once and they pretty much hired anyone, but i did notice that people who were working there were all average size, the females were all pretty and the males were deff not over weight. we did in store marketing and door to door, so i guess they were looking for people who looked "fit" granted, a lot of those people who looked "fit" would sleep in their car all day instead of going door to door, so i'm sure someone overweight would have done the same or better job as them

It really shouldn't matter, but I do believe that if your overweight, employers see that as a negative. I am in the same boat. i am unemployed and been trying for months to find a job. ITs the economy, but also the being overweight has an effect for me too.

of course it does. plenty of jobs require a certain image and with everything else being somewhat equal its better to choose the fit/attractive person.

of course it does. plenty of jobs require a certain image and with everything else being somewhat equal its better to choose the fit/attractive person.

Very true...nature is cruel....:ohwell:

It could be her weight or the jobs she is applying for. I am a self employed massage therapist and for the longest time I couldnt find work at spas/salons and one owner told me straight up and honest that I didnt carry my weight well enough to present myself to clients.. well piss off to him because now I'm my own boss...

The economy is hard right now and I wish your friend all the best.

I worked at a temp/recruitment agency for one year. Age and appearance matter. At the place I worked there was a code for discrimination. Fat people didn't have 'enough energy'. Old people were 'over qualified'. Ugly people weren't "front office'. It's horrible.Obese applicants need to compensate by being perfectly dressed and overly energetic/bubbly. Smile, smile, smile. Sad but true.

Unfortunately yes. I have lots of experience with this one. Whether it's fair or not, our appearance translates into "credibility" to do a job well. The legal field is especially hard if you are going to be in the public eye (paralegal, criminal investigator, etc). My advice to you is not tell your friend she needs to lose weight but to encourage her to put her very best foot forward when going to an interview. Spend the extra money for a good hair cut, manicure, good shoes, and well fitting clothing. No perfume, please (gives the impression you're hiding bad hygiene) but tasteful makeup. And most of all, a good attitude with confidence and interest in the company you are applying to.

I'm sure this won't win me any friends, but the truth is fat people are seen as lazy, unmotivated and lacking self-discipline. Plus, there are issues of health insurance costs and more missed work due to bad knees, etc.

This is very true. I was able to get hired full time at this company, but I don't expect the same kindness from other companies. I'm going to get this weight off before I even think about looking for another job!