to ask if you think being fat is a disadvantage in job interviews?

[AteRiri]

Especially in corporate world? Just curious.

Also, before anyone suspects fat shaming, I'm a 16 myself. So really curious as I am doing the rounds of graduate job interviews currently.

Sadly, yes

It depends on the industry, I think.

But generally, yes, I think there is discrimination. When I was very slim (size 0), people definitely treated me differently. I'm now a 12-14, and things are very different!

If you do have experience in a previous career, I think you have to find a way to turn that into a unique selling point. Think about all the skills and knowledge that you've acquired that could lend a fresh perspective to the industry that you're going into.

Obese - really? Only just a teeny bit, surely?? I am also 5'7", I am a 14-16, and my BMI says I'm hovering between the normal range and the 'overweight' range.

I'm 5'6, weigh 9st 7lbs and am at the higher end of the mid range healthy weight range. I wear 8/10 clothes. Clothes size clearly means little in terms of real physical size.

What is size zero? I am size 14 (UK) and average size, average BMI. If I was zero I don't think I'd be alive.

user A size 0 is a size 4/6 equivalent in the UK.

Yes, and so it should be. I wouldn't employ someone who was fat. Shows a lack of self discipline and laziness

I'm fat. I am also a single mum of 3. A full time teacher. I mark exams in the summer months. I tutor in the evenings when there is work available. That's on top of planning and marking and data analysis. And managing three children and their activities. And keeping a spotless house. And cooking from scratch much of the time. And having a huge back garden to contend with in the summer months. Doing the shopping, going out with friends, supervising homework.....

In what way do I lack self discipline? Or indeed, how could I ever be considered lazy?

Yes. I lost 7st soon after getting a new job. Some very candid colleagues told me they had more respect for me, felt I was more credible and alright for a former fat bird. FFS. But I've had more success and better job prospects since.

Until I became disabled, but that's another thread!

Unfortunately yes.

It can be as part of a package but I think the overall presentation is more important. I've hired excellent fat people because they turned up with intelligence, humour, social grace, confidence and dressed well.

I've turned people away because they presented as lazy, sloppy, socially incompetent and in some cases fat was a symptom of those character flaws. So the whole package was bad.

Ah, so like an old size 8. Thanks SuperBeagle.

The woman who got the job I wanted is three times my size.

100% especially in the corporate world and most definitely in client facing positions.

It isn't just limited to being fat though, being tall, slim and attractive also gives you a better chance of getting/keeping a job too imo.

I'm shocked that more than one person thinks that those saying "yes" are saying "Yes and I believe this is right", rather than just acknowledging that people are shallow and judgemental.

There have been numerous studies proving that conventionally attractive people have an advantage over those who are less conventionally attractive (which includes being overweight).

It's a fact. So my answer to the OP is yes. Even though I obviously don't think that's a good thing.

I am fat and I think I have just about got every job that I have been interviewed for. I teach though, lots of people think we are lazy so maybe the fat doesn't put them off.

Yes. And also tall people are more likely to be successful in interviews at a high level. They're seen as authoritative. And as a PP mentioned, good-looking people are also more successful. I think a lot of it is unconscious bias. I don't think many interviewers would deliberately discount someone because they're overweight.

Studies have also shown that interviewers tend to choose people who are like themselves. So I guess if you have an overweight person interviewing you, you've got a better chance!

yes.

Sometimes because it doesn't project the right image to clients.

sometimes, to make life simple. When you know that some fat jokes will come up, the person will rightly be offended and you don't want to deal with the complaints. It's not fair, but sometimes you just want a simple life at work.

And just because you know (or you yourself are) an overweight person who got a job once, that doesn't change the fact. That's called anecdotal evidence and is pretty meaningless.

And just because you know (or you yourself are) an overweight person who got a job once

Once? I have worked without a break (other than maternity) for nearly 30 years! Why wouldn't that be the same for other fat people?

Jesus wept. This is disgusting.

But also evidence also says that people choose people like themselves. Discrimination against overweight people is more likely in some industries than others, I don't believe it is across the board. I work in the public sector - mainly female dominated- and it is really not the barrier that it is in the corporate sector. This is why many people say it hasn't affected them because this is moreso the case in certain industries than others

I am another who had a big weight loss. I can tell you that even people who have known you for years will change. Friends drop you because you were the fat friend for years and they can't recategorise you. Male friends will suddenly eye you differently or make passes. On the street you'll get fewer dirty looks. I never had trouble in interviews and got pretty much every job I went for but I remember specific colleagues (usually male or extremely pristine women) who would patronise the hell out of me, then wanted to be BFF's when the weight was off.

I went from a 16 to a 10. I personally like myself best at a 14, it's a nice face/arse balance

Once? I have worked without a break (other than maternity) for nearly 30 years! Why wouldn't that be the same for other fat people

It is. Many overweight people have jobs. Obviously, since most of the population is overweight and most people have jobs.

But the question wasn't "Are all fat people unemployed?", was it? The question was "Is being fat a disadvantage?", to which the answer is a factual yes. It's not an opinion of mine.

Or strike you could take on decent people who wouldn't bully other workmates in the first place?

I've seen a huge difference in how i'm treated now as a size 16 to when I was a size 10 - 12. I have just been successful in interviewing for a job but I have to get through a medical before they will let me sign my job contract. I've been crash dieting for the last 3 weeks to make sure my BMI comes in as low as possible. I've lost 11 lbs and intend to keep going until my medical. I have 20 years past experience, awards for my work and I have all the necessary qualifications but my lardy ass might be my undoing. I don't drink, I don't smoke and all my well women tests at the docs were ideal. I'm going to keep going on my diet because I want to avoid this situation happening again. It pisses me off though and I resent it! I'm not a bad person, i'm a fat person but this seems to massively offend people as some previous posters have shown.

Not these days. Lots of people are big,fat overweight... whatever you want to call it.
It makes no difference to their abilities.
Health, maybe.
Sarasue nobody thinks like that now. You is outta date