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.

MrsApplepants,
What is fat?
What jobs do the 125 people do in your office?

Sorry haven't had a chance to read full thread but I think it depends on the interviewer and their views basically.
I've been fat and been hired and also been dismissed....complete different interview panels...same as when I've been slim or attractive. I do think it is pot luck but overall an interview with a materialistic kind of company....yeah you're not going to hired if deemed too overweight.

Yes, unfortunately I think it is. As some pp's have said, being overweight comes with a stereotype of being lazy and having no self control.
Total inaccurate stereotype, without all the health issues that can lead to being overweight, I think the proportion of lazy ppl that have poor self control and are fat, is probably the same as the proportion of size 8 lazy people with poor self control.... Or indeed any size/weight.

You could say alcoholic dependent lack self control, drug addicts lack self control, smokers lack self control (and get extra breaks so are also lazy,) because those also impact on someone's health and are lifestyle led..... But that's not something that is generally on show at an interview and size is. And you can't hide being fat, you can hide alcohol/drug/nicotine dependence.
It really shouldn't make any difference unless there is a specific reason that would prevent an overweight candidate doing the job - like the pp who mentioned a lady who couldn't fit behind the counter, or where physical fitness is key to the role - a fireman for example.

Unfortunately, people will and do judge. I was rushed in to have my gall bladder removed a few years ago, my (male) boss said 'well you are fat, fair, female and 40'
Ummmm, not to mention the hereditary factors like every female between 30-40 in my family has lost their gall bladder, as a family we're prone to gall bladder disease! and I wasn't 40 you cheeky bastard! I'm the only one above a size 12 in my family, except one distant cousin.

So yes, I do think it can be a disadvantage, but it shouldn't be.

Yes and the higher the pay grade/senior the position the more it matters. You apparently need to be skinny to have kids in a London private school as well. We have kids in both state and private and the BMI difference at the school gate is noticeable!

The problem is....whilst there are many factors at play for obese people...health and disability for example can cause weight gain...there is evidence that the large amount of obese people is due to eating too much junk.

So whilst SOME obese people are that way through no fault of their own, others are that way due to overeating and not enough excerisise.

So it looks bad either way.

Yes. It might be a small advantage that you overcome with experience or qualifications or other qualities but it certainly is one.

Everyone judges. Some people may be fat because of medication or health issues but most because they over eat which is down to lack of discipline.

Tattoos, multiple piercings, green hair etc all make a difference. That's why people dress smartly for interviews. If they thought "image doesn't define you" then you would turn up in ripped and dirty jeans.

Yes. It does sadly. Which is odd, an odd view, seeing as the majority of the UK population is overweight.

Oblomov17

I don't understand what point you're making. The majority of the UK population don't have PhDs or Masters Degrees but they're often sought after for jobs.

Just because a negative trait is common, doesn't make it a positive one or something that isn't noticed.

Agree with Devorak that very fat people get judged in the same way as tattoos, piercings, brightly coloured hair or whacky hairstyles.

Again, maybe unfair but true.

For sure, I'm 55 and size 18, I still get the jobs I go for but have to shine twice as bright. I can see the initial look in their eyes when I go in and it never fails to get me.

Yes

I'm fat. Always have been fat. I've never had a problem getting jobs. And been good at them if I may say so myself.
I lack discipline around food, yes. It doesn't creep into every part of my life though, I have been very disciplined and determined regarding my work and other aspects of life.
My aunt was hired as a nurse and their only concern was whether she'd fit in between patient beds this was ages ago but she had a successful career as a nurse.
I think it depends on the role/company. I don't think I'd get the swimsuit model job.

Yes. (I am three or four stone overweight).

I have noticed it since getting bigger. aside from the work questions which may or may not be based in fact it is harder to look smart, clean, businesslike when you are fatter.

A slim, dark suit and white blouse looks simple and tailored but on a very fat person it just looks like camouflage. And impressions count at interview. So YES to your question OP

I recruit for a small firm. We don't have an HR department, covering illness is an issue and paying people while they are sick is a nightmare.

Fat people are considered (rightly or wrongly) a higher risk for fine off in the same way smokers are.

Also, we are image based and I am another who believes being overweight gives the first impression of not being very in control of your life

Can't believe people are saying yes.

I'd say yes in response to the OP's question, which was does it make a difference. It's been researched and it does make a difference.

Doesn't make it morally right and it doesn't mean I am happy about it, but I believe it occurs.

Ooops! May have missed the fact there are six pages...

This is sad. It's also interesting in relation to interview processes. I interview a lot. There are obviously clear processes to avoid disrimination on the basis of disability, sex, age etc but size has never, ever been mentioned, even in unconscious bias training.
Does anyone here work in HR? Is it something because discussed at conferences etc?

Well, it depends how fat.

I did interview a very overweight woman once. I'm afraid I did judge because she couldn't use the stairs and did a lot of "huffing and puffing" when sitting down/standing up etc. So it was really about health more than appearance. I suppose there's the question of whether obesity is a disability...

Someone mentioned smoking, and I suppose the judgement is similar. If someone smells really badly of smoke I would probably not want to employ them.

Yes and same for ugly people so it's not about a rational thought that a fat person is unhealthy.

Cheesy, I'm just saying that it's kind of bizarre really. That these fat people are looked down on, at interview. By whom? By other fat people interviewing them? Nope that can't be surely? It must be the thin people interviewing, but the thin people are statistically the minority in the UK. 6 out of 10 UK is overweight. So how is it even possible that we are 'looking down on' 60% of the population, i.e. the majority.
That in itself is odd, strange, don't you think?

"because a negative trait is common, doesn't make"

I agree. But why is this negative trait common? If the majority IS this thing. Kind of odd.

In my company it appears it doesn't impact men's employability but it very much does affect women's. Not sure if that's more or less depressing.

It depends how fat though. A bit overweight (maybe up to a 20 or so?) and I wouldn't think twice. Morbidly obese and I'd worry about your health and ability to do day to day tasks.

I'd worry equally about men or women so it's not sexist for me but I can see how in other industries there would be a gender bias which is not on.

Glad to see some sensible people on this thread regarding what the question is actually asking vs what is being answered.