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Original poster

Job interview after a long time but obese

92 replies

euphoria1040 · 14/03/2019 14:18

Hi everyone I was wondering if I would be unreasonable to ask for a hand hold . I am morbidly obese and at the moment a stay at home mum. My children are growing up and I have been on the look out for a part time job. I've now got an interview and quite frankly I'm terrified but mainly because of my weight. I have very low self esteem depression and anxiety which began following a divorce many years ago. I know I could easily do the job but I can't focus on any thing other than the fact I'm huge and I think the interviewer is going to take one look at me and laugh me out the building . I'm trying to find interview clothes and nothing is making me feel any better. I know getting a job will give me some self respect and confidence to break this vicious circle of self loathing . Would being overweight put you off employing someone . Ps I am addressing the weight but can't shift a few stone by the weekend ! Thanks all

OP posts:
aibutohavethisusername · 14/03/2019 14:22

I a size 22, 18 stone, and got a new job in January. The interview should look past your size and see your potential. Good luck.

EvaHarknessRose · 14/03/2019 14:22

Dress smart and neat and sit with good posture. Smile a lot, make eye contact. There's no reason why you shouldn't get it, but you won't if you don't think you deserve it. Now stop thinking about your weight and start thinking up your answers 🙂

Prequelle · 14/03/2019 14:24

I've interviewed morbidly obese people in the past and I haven't care one little bit about how they look as long as they look presentable and can do the physical parts of the job.

Confidence however is key, wear your weight don't let it wear you. You're a person who has skills and a lot to bring to an employer.

PBo83 · 14/03/2019 14:24

Hi Euphoria,

Well done on the interview :)

I employ for a technology company and hire purely on the basis of qualifications and experience so your weight wouldn't affect my decision in the slightest if you were, otherwise, the best candidate.

I guess it may depend on the nature of the business but why not dress it up as a positive. Put something in your hobbies and interests that implies you wish to improve your physical health and this may be seen as taking positive steps to self improvement.

Good Luck :)

Worzilgummidge · 14/03/2019 14:27

Oh don't worry they will only be interested in you as a person

SnapesGreasyHair · 14/03/2019 14:29

It will probably depend on what job it is.

Sit down office type, then there shouldn't be an issue with your size.

Manual, shop work, care work etc then there might be concerns on how you'd manage.

Best of luck

MissionItsPossible · 14/03/2019 14:33

If any interviewer would laugh at someone over their appearance or anything really, I'd think they were incredibly rude and unprofessional, especially knowing the candidate is already likely feeling nervous and wouldn't want to work there anyway.

Loz90333 · 14/03/2019 14:38

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Cornish83 · 14/03/2019 14:38

If the employers are worth working for then no they wouldn’t consider how you look but if they do then you had a lucky escape.
The only exception would be if you’re fitness would compromise your ability to do the job.
I would say after experience and qualifications confidence in your own abilities is what they’ll be looking for and a positive attitude. Good luck!

DianaT1969 · 14/03/2019 14:45

OP, look on this as valuable interview experience. It will take the pressure off. You did well to get an interview, so congratulations on that. You wouldn't want to work for a company that judged you on your weight. For clothes, what would you be comfortable in? I love edgy, grey and black minimalist dresses from Cos for interviews. With thick black tights, brogues and one of their necklaces to break up the expanse of bust. I find that with Cos, you wear the clothes, rather than they wear you. I think their XL would go up to 18-20, depending on the style.
Best of luck.

Cath2907 · 14/03/2019 14:53

I interview at least weekly and mostly remotely. I never see the people I hire (unless their is a photo on their CV). Many are based in India so I can't always tell from the name whether it is a man or a woman before I hear their voice on the phone.

A decent employer will be interested only in your ability to do the job well and professionally. This will mean you need to dress "appropriately" for an interview - just to demonstrate you understand business norms. It would be incredibly bad practice for them to turn you down or to be mean to you because of your weight.

Shinyletsbebadguys · 14/03/2019 14:54

Don't forget OP an interview is just as much about you interviewing them as the other way around. I very much doubt your size will be remotely of issue but if it was you wouldn't want to work for them anyway.

I have interviewed for decades and the only aspect if appearance I care about is the ability to look professional , that's smart clean and ironed clothes , clean shoes...but that's more about them taking the interview seriously

Honestly...ive interviewed for posts everywhere from senior manager roles to part time volunteers and not once have I given a single thought to weight

Good luck

MumsyJ · 14/03/2019 14:58

Congrats on the forthcoming interview. I've worked with morbidly obese people and I look beyond the physical as their personalities are out of this world.

Let your personality shine through during the interview. You've got the skills, now go and talk the talk. You'll ace it OP Smile.

Original poster
euphoria1040 · 14/03/2019 14:59

Thank you to everyone who's replied I feel more confident already Smile . X

OP posts:
MVParker · 14/03/2019 15:01

I'm 20 stone and got a job stacking shelves, which you'd think they would definitely consider your weight, you'll be fine.

lmusic87 · 14/03/2019 15:03

Good luck OP, you can do it!

MsTiggywinkletoyou · 14/03/2019 15:03

Think of this interview as a practice run, if you haven't done any for a while. As the panel has shortlisted you, they want to hear what you have to say. They have also (presumably) shortlisted a few others with similar qualifications and experience, so purely on the roll of the dice, someone other than you is likely to get it. That's nothing to do with your weight. Learn all you can from this experience, including how to present yourself (a PP mentioned self-improving hobbies), what clothes suit you, and how to ask pertinent questions about the organisation and your potential role within it. Good luck!

JenniferJareau · 14/03/2019 15:09

Place where I work, no one gives a crap about shape or size. It's what you bring to the job people care about.

Prepare well for the interview. That will also help your confidence. Use the STAR method of answering. Google lots of different interview questions and answer them out loud at home to help you practice.

Good luck Flowers

GeorgeTheBleeder · 14/03/2019 15:13

Everything pp have said. But, if you have time, it's worthwhile considering if your interview outfit could be altered/tailored to fit you perfectly. Sometimes clothes in larger sizes can be a bit imprecise as regards sleeve length, hem widths, etc - which is a shame when someone has taken the trouble to buy something smart.

Good luck with the interview!

SteelRiver · 14/03/2019 15:14

Best of luck, euphoria1040.

SarahSissions · 14/03/2019 15:20

Best of luck, it sounds great. All I would say is to take care of yourself, arrive early and treat yourself to a coffee beforehand.
Anyone worth working for won't care a jot about your weight, its easy for us all to say, but please believe us!!

BarbarianMum · 14/03/2019 15:22

It would depend on the job. In my field our required level of fitness varies from quite fit to extremely fit.

If a morbidly obese applicant applied for a job like mine (need to be quite fit) Id check they were happy they could cope with the level of physicality required (im also morbidly obese but I can cover 3-5miles on rough ground and steep slopes which is what I need to be able to do).

If someone who was morbidly obese applied for one of the jobs where extreme fitness is required I doubt theyd pass the medical.

Regardless of your weight it is possible to present a smart, professional demeanour, although I get why your confidence is rocky. I was exactly the same when I started applying for work after being a SAHM.

anniehm · 14/03/2019 15:23

Unless it affects your ability to do the job they won't be bothered, but wear an outfit that makes you feel good, it helps!

FooFighter99 · 14/03/2019 15:25

This time last year I was 25 stone and my employer/colleagues have always rated me very highly as an employee/colleague

Weight doesn't matter - skills do Smile

Get signed up to SlimmingWorld (I've lost 3 stone since August) and get your life back

missmouse101 · 14/03/2019 15:25

Op you CAN do this! I'm a size 22 and have been there. You need a gorgeous hairdo, lovely hands and nails and a big smile. Lots of eye contact, have a question or two to ask and do your research on the company. I wear neat kitten heels, smart navy trousers, a white or cream blouse, with a long swishy navy cardigan and a pretty long dangly scarf in a gorgeous colour. Before you go, look at yourself in the eye in a mirror and say something like "right you, get going, show those buggers exactly what you can do and don't take any crap. You can do this brilliantly!" Give yourself a good talking to!