Depression and Weight IssuesHave you been diagnosed with depression, are possibly on depression medication, and find it affects your weight loss efforts? Post here for support!
So I've been trying to find work religiously since I graduated college. There was a point four years ago were I worked for Nordstorms and Macys and I was around 220. I was a size.. 16 or so and I don't think I looked terrible. After quitting to go to college full time I've jumped up to 300 pounds ( Well I'm 280 now. ) when I graduated. I've had about 5 interviews in the past year for different positions, mostly sales since I've worked a good amount in retail, well.. after each interview. I don't get the job.
I go in prepared, dressed nice, Im certainly qualified and I'm well spoken and I just don't understand why I'm not getting the work until I realized maybe it's my weight? Every manager hiring me has been a slender woman and the only time I thought I might get the job was when the first person to interview was a man and when the second interview process came it was another slender woman.
I know Im ranting and maybe this isn't the case but I live in San Diego and I feel like everytime I go into macys or.. bloomingdales everyone is attractive and slim. I walked into a Macy's the other day and didn't see one overweight person.. Has anyone else thought this?
Unfortunately, studies have shown that those weight higher weights (especially women) have a harder time finding jobs. I can see this being the case in sales since you are dealing with the public and you are the "face" of the company, so they would want people who would be able to model their clothes the closest way to how the models do.
I've managed two different retail stores and at both, I was the biggest person and I was a size 12. This could be in part because we tried to keep our staff "young" due to our merchandise however and in most cases, those who are young are not at their highest weights yet.
Keep trying. You have the skills and if you keep positive, you'll have the right attitude. It is unfair on how people are judged by their weights and in most cases, it happens without realizing it.
I've been having the same thoughts. It's sad, because where I live it's hard enough to get a job even if you're not also judged by things that don't necessarily have anything to do with deciding if you're a good employee or not. And the longer it takes, the harder it gets. It shouldn't be like that.
I notice this in restaurants, too. Wait staff are all slender in places like Olive Garden, Applebees, the 99, and others. If there is a Lane Bryant or Fashion Bug Plus in your area, try applying to one of those stores. Most of those shops tend to hire larger women because that is the clientel to whom they cater.
Unfortunately Fashion Bugs are all closing, so don't bother there.
I went to culinary school and I remember a discussion in class about how a lot of employers do not typical hire overweight/obese people because they have the preconceived notion that they are lazy, sloppy etc.. Also, bigger people usually have more health problems so that might cost the employer in the long run as well.
Unfortunately weight discrimination happens. I work in dental and I have heard (with my own ears) they won't hire obese people. It's crappy but people are shallow. I don't know if that's the case for you I'm just confirming that it happens. Some people suck.
Also, bigger people usually have more health problems so that might cost the employer in the long run as well.
YES to some companys we are a Health / Health Ins risk. Alot of ins co are now going by BMI to put us in a "catergory tier" to cost us more in premiums. They give us "help" with a health coach (via phone) to improve our health & it will give a us a "discount" on ins premiums once we "shape up" In one way it's good but ....
I'm sorry but it is true.Not only fat people but short people are difficult to find a job. Appearance is very important now. I have read many recruitment records on paper and their requirement always is height, weight...
Saracandoit...if you don't mind my asking, what is your degree in?
You're definitely right about the weight bias, though, and it sucks. Best of luck as you continue your job search. If you know anyone working in the field in which you're applying, you might want to ask them about their successful interview and share your approaches to interviews. Perhaps there are some small tweaks you can make that will cause the employer to see your skills over your weight.
Weight bias exists, for sure. There is a bias towards thinking heavier people are lazy, and a bias towards thinking heavier people are unhealthy (and therefore will miss work). I'm not sure what to say other than to emphasize your work ethic and your attendance history at previous companies. If you didn't miss a day of work for 593 days in a row, by all means point that out.
I know for a fact i am not getting hired because of my weight and my age I"m 57. I have years of experience in the medical field and a college degree. My ego is crushed,with self pity and depression thrown in. I have been looking for over a year now with no luck. I stopped at McDonalds for a coke and there is a manager there that had to weight 100 lbs more than I do. What the heck is going on there?
I am so depressed and don't want to take care of myself anymore or exercise, I have this whats the use attitude and I know its killing me slowly. I have tried every which way to lose weight, and I have come to the conclusion its all about stress and I have plenty of that in my life right now.
I keep looking for work and trying to make better choices but its getting harder and harder to do on a daily basis.
thanks for reading.
Saracandoit...if you don't mind my asking, what is your degree in?
You're definitely right about the weight bias, though, and it sucks. Best of luck as you continue your job search. If you know anyone working in the field in which you're applying, you might want to ask them about their successful interview and share your approaches to interviews. Perhaps there are some small tweaks you can make that will cause the employer to see your skills over your weight.
I took Pharmacy tech and medical insurance billing. Honestly I'm wondering if maybe I should try my hand somewhere else. Do you think this might help anyone? I currently live in Southern California and I've had experiences living in Missouri where I applied to 5 places and 4 called me back instantly and once place hired me on the spot of putting my application in, I was thinking of moving in with family in Arkansas. Maybe get my foot in the door somewhere and continue to lose the weight if I come back here..
Honestly I'm wondering if maybe I should try my hand somewhere else. Do you think this might help anyone? ... Maybe get my foot in the door somewhere and continue to lose the weight if I come back here..
My opinion is that you need to consider the pros and cons of moving for a job. Settling into a place you don't enjoy living can be as painful as living somewhere you love but being unemployed. It's definitely worth considering, though, and getting experience on your resume can help you get back into a more competitive market.
The reason I asked about your area of study is that if you can't find a position in your exact field, you might consider jobs that you are prepared for through your study that are related but outside that field. I don't know anything about your field, but perhaps with the billing you're prepared for administrative assistant positions, grocery store pharmacies, or something that involves a form of book keeping?
My opinion is that you need to consider the pros and cons of moving for a job. Settling into a place you don't enjoy living can be as painful as living somewhere you love but being unemployed. It's definitely worth considering, though, and getting experience on your resume can help you get back into a more competitive market.
The reason I asked about your area of study is that if you can't find a position in your exact field, you might consider jobs that you are prepared for through your study that are related but outside that field. I don't know anything about your field, but perhaps with the billing you're prepared for administrative assistant positions, grocery store pharmacies, or something that involves a form of book keeping?
Yeah I might consider it really. I've been applying to pharmacies within walmart and target and so on. Thing is I -know- I can do just about anything! Standing and walking on my feet 8 hours a day? No problem. I work out daily for a hour and 1/2. I go to seaworld / zoo once every week or two and walk around there all day perfectly fine but I know I can't tell them this.. and I can't make them see unless I just drop more weight /sigh
Can't find work, weight related?
/sigh
