Very overweight - harming job prospects

[Papergirl1968]

I’m looking for a job after six years of not working.
I was in a profession for much of my working life, but took voluntary redundancy and time out to raise my DC.
I’ve always been overweight and this perhaps wasn’t so much of an issue in my previous work because of qualifications, experience, etc
Jobs in my former profession are few and far between, besides which the industry had moved on in the previous six years. I’m not sure I have the confidence or the energy to go back to it so I’m looking for a part time role in a supermarket or office.
However I do think that as well as my age (nearly 52) and lack of relevant experience being an issue, being very overweigh will put employers off. Sitting at a checkout would be fine but don’t think I could stand for very long which rules out a lot of shops.
I’m trying to lose weight and have recently acquired a dog so I’m doing more walking and trying to build up stamina. Other than the aches and pains that you’d expect of someone my age who is carrying a lot of extra weight, and being borderline diabetes, I’m fit and healthy.
However I know if I was recruiting myself and all other things being equal I’d probably choose applicants that were a healthy-ish weight because I’d guess they’d be less likely to go off sick or get injured.
Just really wondered what others thought?

There definitely is a bias against very overweight people. Whether it’s conscious or unconscious.

How overweight we talking?

I'm overweight and don't feel it has affected my work or getting jobs. Prospective employers were always more interested in skills (or transferable skills if I was going for a different type of job) and my having good references, than anything else.

I’ve crept up to about a size 26. I’m tall-ish though.

Yes, unfortunately I do. We had 3 very overweight shielders during lockdown. Even in normal times, one is really too fat/unfit to so some elements of his job, which restricts the way we can deploy him.

I don't think my boss would chose to employ them again.

If they really were streets ahead of any other candidate, I'm sure she would but in a pool of several suitable candidates, I'm sure it would be a factor, even if subconsciously.

I genuinely believe if they have that attitude towards weight you don't want to work for them (I fully realise that life isn't so simple and it may be a financial need ). I've interviewed at obese and small , I was once hired I found out later because I fit the "look", it was a truly awful job with one of the vilest CEOs I've ever met.

I would say though it's more likely to be the market issue currently with so many people looking for work and lack of recent experience. Unfortunately you will be up against more people who have recent experience due to covid job losses. I know several ex colleagues who applied for jobs under their original level and the other applicants simply didn't stand a chance.

Sorry that wasn't meant to be a downer , more that it may not be your weight (I know all too well the cycle of shame that feeling encourages ). And if it is, they are simply not an employer you want to work for if you can help it.

I do understand the fear of overweight people and sickness but in all honesty out of most of my ex colleagues the two slimmest are myself and my ex boss and we have underlying health conditions that may make it more likely anyway, it's not a valid recruitment technique.

It wouldn't make any difference to me if you were the best candidate for the job. Quite a few of the highest earners in my industry are overweight so it clearly hasn't held them back at all.

Thank you for all your comments, much appreciated.
I feel at a disadvantage for several different reasons, and to be fair I’ve only had two interviews (both unsuccessful) but it’s only recently occurred to me that weight might be a factor. It’s already made me think twice about the roles I’m applying for, as I know receptionists, for example, are often slim and attractive.
The thought of having to state my size to be issued for uniform is mortifying.
I will keep walking and keep applying.

It really is tough to get a job at the moment, especially after 6 years out of the workplace. My experience from friends who have been through this is that it really is a numbers game - you have to apply for lots of jobs and be prepared to have quite a few interviews. Please don't assume it is anything wrong with you, it is just the jobs market. Having said that, it is great you are exercising more and losing weight for your self and your own health, so keep on keeping on with the exercise and the applications and I am sure you will get there.

I will but it’s so time-consuming which means choosing to apply for jobs that I have the best chance of getting. For example I’ve noticed a lot are asking for recent experience, or giving a list of skills which are highly desired so I’ve stopped applying for those in favour of more basic jobs.
I was so cross the other night when I spent ages applying for a job in a local Aldi which I’d seen on Indeed. Passed the online tests and proceeded to the actual application, at which point it became clear it was not in my local town in the West Midlands but a town with the same name in Merseyside!

I am a size 22-24 and have worked as a receptionist, you don't need to be slim. Once you are professional looking, experience, skills and attitude will count far more than dress size.

Op, I’m not sure this is as simple as weight. If you’re 52 how many years is it since you’ve been out the work place? This could make it more difficult for you. Have you looked at interview training etc? Are you applying for jobs you’re physically capable of doing?

Many supermarkets don’t recruit straight into check out and wish staff to be flexible to the roles they can do. For offices are your it skills up to date?

Weight can have an impact yes, but I suspect the over riding issue here may be you’ve been out of the work place for a very long time and either lack the up to date office skills required or physically would be limited in supermarkets.

Sorry, I misread, you’ve only been out six years?

There is no-one in my organisation who is very overweight. So yes, this bias does exist

Six years out of the workplace and your age sadly go against you firstly.
In an ideal world weight isn’t an issue ,but I think this is contradictory carrying a lot of extra weight, and being borderline diabetes, I’m fit and healthy supermarket jobs esp Aldi aren’t sitting down , it’s physical work as you do the stock too (student DC worked for them)
I’m glad you have a dog and are exercising 👍🏼

For me, if you would be the absolutely best candidate for the job, it wouldn’t make a difference. If I do however have the choice between similarly good people, I would take somebody who is as versatile as possible.
The 6 years out of the workplace are probably a much bigger problem. That would really make me think twice as many people struggle with the return to work. But again, if you would be the best candidate (qualifications, experience, voluntary engagement etc) it wouldn’t matter.

Yes, six years, Bluntness.
While I’ve been looking for work, I’ve been doing some IT and employability courses delivered via Teams due to Covid.

It’s not the best time to be job hunting as so many others are. Others who may have recent employment histories and references.

Could you get some experience working the till and serving customers in a charity shop if you have one near you that is open?

If think you’re lack of recent, relevant experience could be holding you back a lot more than you think but if you can do something about that you’d have a better chance.

There are loads of posts on here from people desperate for childminders. Could you retrain and register with your local authority and do that instead of a checkout job?

The jobcentre coach recommended charity shop volunteering so I’ll look into that.
I don’t think I’d get approved as a childminder due to issues with my adopted DC. They have criminal records, still need a lot of input, and the one that is kind of living at home has some spectacular meltdowns.
All of this has had an effect on my own mental heath, which is another reason I don’t feel up to returning to my previous industry although I would apply if the right job came along - part time and fairly local. And comfort eating is the reason why I’ve banged on weight.

Losing weight can only help your health and job chances OP. There's overweight and then very overweight and I suspect you're correct that being very overweight does affect your chances of employment because you're seen as less versatile, less able to do physical aspects of a role and potentially judged as lacking self control.

this could be an issue, (the weight) however there's lots of other things and the main one is not scoring well enough in interview. the interviewers score each candidate so if you can manage to get top marks then you could have a chance.

if a skinnier person can't do the job and an overweight person can then the overweight person will get the job. my manager is overweight with diabetes but she can do her work. the employers don't care about size but they care about if the person can do the job. I'm not sure why you are overweight but some people are overweight due to some underlying condition, some due to eating, that can also be due to some mental health issue. so, i would say it doesn't really matter and for health reasons I would suggest to see a GP for a losing weight programme. best wishes

also wanted to say to lookl your best during interviews, thats not only for overweight but for everyone. with video interview they only usually see your face and shoulders so good make up helps. by the time the job starts after check you would have lost some more so I would male the most of video interviews.

I struggle with make up before an interview as usually never wear it, but doing it for an interview a touch of foundation makes you look prepared, just smoothes out spots blemishes I guess. so ask for help from family friends with mnake up if its not possible to do it yourself. I think even if overweight and looks good and professional thats fine.

**I meant to say above :

by the time the job starts after checks and references are done you would have lost some more weight hopefully, so I would make the most of video interviews.

To be honest the best thing you can do all around is loose a substantial amount of weight. Not for employers but for you, your family. Size 26 is more than overweight and yes I think you are likely to be passed over at interview because potential employers will assume that you are likely to need significant time off sick, which may not be the case but assumptions are made. I'm trying to loose weight currently, it's hard! But it's not exercising that really does it, it's diet (exercise is good but not going to help you shift the weight you need to be healthy. Best of luck, pm me if you want my diet plan, can forward it, I got it from a dietician friend

Thank you all, you’ve kind of confirmed the conclusion I’d already come - that all other things being equal, a slimmer candidate is probably going to get the job over a fat one.
Time to give myself a kick up the ass.