Important job interview. How much does weight factor in when employers look at you with consideration to hire?

July 22, 2010 by admin · 4 Comments
Filed under: Other - Careers & Employment 
business suit
mia_kay28 asked:

I am not a dirty person or an ugly girl by any means. I am just heavy. I have a well-tailored business suit and will be very presentable. Im just concerned that my weight may prevent me from getting the job. It is for an admissions director at a prestigious college. Any thoughts?

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4 Responses to “Important job interview. How much does weight factor in when employers look at you with consideration to hire?”
  1. Jackie says:
    July 24, 2010 at 12:27 pm

    It matters. I had always been normal weight and had no trouble finding a job. I was acatually hired on the spot everytime I looked for a job. Now that I’ve gained 30 more pounds it’s a lot more challanging. I have a better resume than before. The only thing that changed was weight. I talked to a few other people about it and they agreed. Jackie

  2. MavistheMaven says:
    July 25, 2010 at 12:19 am

    While there generally is favoritism towards slim, fit people when hiring (studies have shown this to be the case), obviously there are many overweight people in very good jobs. So they do get hired. For the type of job you’re interviewing for (director level), it could work in your favor, because you may come across as solid (a person others can go to with problems and rely on – no pun intended, it’s just the right word), authoritative. Stand tall and convey the characteristics you want to offer, such as being competent, no-nonsense but friendly and approachable, whatever you think is important for someone in that position to have. You are not going for a beauty queen position. They are not looking for a bimbo. They want someone who will be a leader, a colleague and a resource. You can be that person. Good luck! MavistheMaven

  3. gettingby says:
    July 26, 2010 at 6:09 am

    Hi,

    The best thing for you to do is NOT to focus on your weight. Put on that suit, bring your resume and knock their socks off! :) Seriously, we all know that people can be prejudiced even though they may never admit it. But, you have to act like the person or people interviewing you are NOT concerned about your weight. Answer their questions and show them YOU are the one they want for the job.

    I wish you a lot of luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    If, for some reason, you do not get hired (don’t think that), then do not assume it is your weight. There is a lot of competition out there, esp. now, and there could be so many factors. One major problem I am having is that people who know people are getting the jobs, even more so than usual. Also, the employers are getting overwhelmed with resumes, so you have to take all of this into consideration. gettingby

  4. Lori says:
    July 28, 2010 at 3:09 am

    Well I’m not gonna lie and say it doesn’t matter, as a HR Manager you aren’t suppose to discriminate based on looks. I personally do not, but when it comes to certain jobs you can take it into account. For example I work in Healtcare, a person who wants to work say as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) that is very overweight and walks slow and you can hear them breathing (almost panting), yes they have been viewed as a less than desirable candidate simply because you know that can’t keep up w/a faced paced environment, and I mean physically fast. So those people have been passed over. Studies also show that a more attractive person will be hired before someone less attractive, so if you think about it you have two people equally qualified for the job but you have to decide, most employers will like the more attractive person personally anyways and they will get selected. There are some people who just don’t like very overweight people and they won’t hire them. But honestly if you look around everyone working isn’t thin, most people are packing extra pounds and their are plenty of overweight people that find jobs and are working so I don’t at the same time want to make it sound like it impossible. For me I would say it’s depended on the job if your over weight then yes someone won’t hire you at a healthclub, but for this job I see no reason your weight should play as a factor, and their is certainly no legal reason to use this a reason not to consider you. Heck you might find the person interviewing you is overweight. I know people do discriminate even though they shouldn’t. As long as you are clean, dress professionally, speak with intelligence and qualified for the job there is no reason to not consider you, so don’t assume because you are overweight you have less a of chance, sure w/some rude, wrong people it may happen but if we didn’t employ people that are overweight then we would have a very diminished work force seeing that a most of us aren’t hot bodies. SO think positive, and do your best and you’ll do fine!

    HR Manager Lori

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