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Original poster

What would you think if an overweight person worked in a health & beauty clinic?

89 replies

Jabbathejob · 13/05/2025 18:45

I've found the perfect role in terms of hours that can work around the DC, pay and experience, but I'm overweight and it's for a health & beauty clinic. Would I be mad to apply? Would they hire someone who's overweight, non-glamerous and not young, but who's otherwise ideal for the role? What would you think if they had overweight staff in a clinic like this?

YABU- they won't hire someone who's nearing middle age and overweight.

YANBU- go for it! They wouldn't mind.

OP posts:
SilenceInside · 13/05/2025 19:09

Don't talk yourself out of applying for a job based on assumptions about what other people might think.

Original poster
Jabbathejob · 13/05/2025 19:09

Englishsummerblues · 13/05/2025 19:08

Yes I think weight is fine but you would need to look like you used the products. I had a job in a high end dentistry place and I have terrible teeth, I was let go two weeks in. Lol

Really?! Surely they would have seen your teeth at interview? Sorry that happened.

*Edited for autocorrect gone mad.

OP posts:
Englishsummerblues · 13/05/2025 19:08

Yes I think weight is fine but you would need to look like you used the products. I had a job in a high end dentistry place and I have terrible teeth, I was let go two weeks in. Lol

ShortyShorts · 13/05/2025 19:08

Moveoverdarlin · 13/05/2025 19:06

Mmmm it’s tricky in all honesty. I had to see a nurse about my cholesterol last week, it’s a bit on the high side. She told me to cut out butter, red meat and booze. I’m size 10 and teetotal and she was, I would guess a size 22 ish. I took what she said on board but I maybe wrongly assumed she couldn’t lead the healthiest lifestyle herself.

Yeah but even if she doesn't you weren't there for her, you were there for you.

Even if she ate nothing but salad, it's not going to make your cholesterol any lower or higher 🤷‍♂️

Original poster
Jabbathejob · 13/05/2025 19:08

BalloonSlayer · 13/05/2025 19:03

Weight would not bother me but I would expect you to have great hair/skin/nails/eyebrows/makeup, and I say that as someone currently rocking the through-a-hedge-backwards look

Okish skin is the only one I have out of that list.

OP posts:
Daffodilpup · 13/05/2025 19:08

GreyCarpet · 13/05/2025 19:01

OK. Being honest, you will be the first impression any client gets of the place.

So I do think they'll be looking for 'well presented'. But that doesn't have to mean glamorous. Or thin.

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This. Just make sure you are clean and tidy.

Moveoverdarlin · 13/05/2025 19:06

Mmmm it’s tricky in all honesty. I had to see a nurse about my cholesterol last week, it’s a bit on the high side. She told me to cut out butter, red meat and booze. I’m size 10 and teetotal and she was, I would guess a size 22 ish. I took what she said on board but I maybe wrongly assumed she couldn’t lead the healthiest lifestyle herself.

BalloonSlayer · 13/05/2025 19:03

Weight would not bother me but I would expect you to have great hair/skin/nails/eyebrows/makeup, and I say that as someone currently rocking the through-a-hedge-backwards look

icelollycraving · 13/05/2025 19:02

My entire career has been in beauty. I am 52, a size 22 but I’m quite glam. In fact a lot of people are perfectly happy to see someone that is not perfect. The world is pretty inclusive, it hasn’t always been the case in beauty.
Go for it and don’t doubt yourself.

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 13/05/2025 19:02

"Well groomed" is a good term.

Apply for the job and practice your skills, OP. Even if you don't need them for this job, being well presented for other interviews will be helpful. Best of luck 🤞

GreyCarpet · 13/05/2025 19:01

Jabbathejob · 13/05/2025 18:57

I don't even own a hairdryer...feel very foolish even considering it now.

Show quote history

OK. Being honest, you will be the first impression any client gets of the place.

So I do think they'll be looking for 'well presented'. But that doesn't have to mean glamorous. Or thin.

OneTaupeTraybake · 13/05/2025 19:01

I would not take their advice!

There was a woman trying to sell a package of some sort of machine that can help with inch loss reduction or something - all I could think was 'you're fat' it clearly doesn't work.

Same with women with rough skin and trying to sell you facials etc - they clearly haven't worked.

PerkyGreenCat · 13/05/2025 19:01

I'd want someone glamorous, someone who looked better than me!

There's no reason why you can't make yourself glamorous, it doesn't have to cost lots of money.

Your weight should be fine, most people are at least a little bit overweight now, as long as they don't offer weight loss stuff and you're sitting there at 20 stone

SwanOfThoseThings · 13/05/2025 18:59

I think it's the sort of job where you'd need to appear well groomed, with good make up, hair and smart clothes - all of which should be achievable whatever your age and weight. Maybe find out what products they use and use at least some of the same things yourself in the run up to interview, assuming you get one, then you can show product knowledge.

doodahdayy · 13/05/2025 18:58

I’d expect someone to look smart and polished but being overweight is very normal in the uk. Wouldn’t bat an eyelid

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 13/05/2025 18:58

I wouldn't give it a single thought!!

GreyCarpet · 13/05/2025 18:58

I'd be looking for clean and well presented with a friendly disposition in a receptionist I interacted with.

I wouldn't care about size or whether they were glamorous.

ShortyShorts · 13/05/2025 18:57

Jabbathejob · 13/05/2025 18:52

Grin it's front of house, so reception and booking!

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The thing is, that sort of work can be learned on the job so they really will have the pick of the crop so to speak.

But applying will cost you nothing so why overthink it?

It doesn't matter what anyone here thinks as we don't own the salon and we can't see what you look like.

Just go for it and best of luck! 🤞☘

Original poster
Jabbathejob · 13/05/2025 18:57

EnchantedEvidence · 13/05/2025 18:54

I wouldn’t have thought weight or age would be a problem. They will probably expect someone interested in health/beauty so make up, good eyebrows, nice hair though.

I don't even own a hairdryer...feel very foolish even considering it now.

OP posts:
Turfaccountant · 13/05/2025 18:56

Voted the wrong way accidentally. Many of us who go to beauticians are most definitely not young or slim, I'd feel so much more comfortable with a woman who understood that we can't all be, or want to be Kim Kardashian.

MidnightPatrol · 13/05/2025 18:56

I wouldn’t think anything of it.

Good luck!

Original poster
Jabbathejob · 13/05/2025 18:55

CopperWhite · 13/05/2025 18:51

It depends on the type of place it is. In my experience, there is an expectation in the beauty industry that women will wear make up, but middle aged and overweight isn’t an issue.

Couldn't I possibly say I'm doing the Pamela look? How 'in' is that?

OP posts:
EnchantedEvidence · 13/05/2025 18:54

I wouldn’t have thought weight or age would be a problem. They will probably expect someone interested in health/beauty so make up, good eyebrows, nice hair though.

Original poster
Jabbathejob · 13/05/2025 18:54

WhiteRosesAndThistles · 13/05/2025 18:48

I'm not sure, if it's beauty related you are expected to 'sell' the products.
Most people working in salons near me are a healthy weight and well put together.

That's what I'm thinking BalladOfBarryAndFreda.

OP posts:
TheHouseofGirth · 13/05/2025 18:53

Then I would find your size or looks irrelevant. As long as you were polite and friendly.

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