Overweight in the job market
 

I took a course in general insurance last fall and have been looking for work in the field since january. I've had lots of interviews but no jobs yet. I'm starting to wonder why. My resume must be good or I wouldn't be getting all these calls. They usually do a phone interview first that I always pass so it probably isn't my personality or communication skills. I'm starting to think it's my weight. :?:

anyone else ever feel like that?

Getting a job right now is tough. At my work, we will get up to 100 internal applicants within a couple weeks. We will do a phone interview and then an in person interview if the phone interview went ok. Sometimes we may already have a top candidate in mind based on resumes but need to look at other considerations and make sure the peron is as good as the resume.

The fact that you are getting interviews is a good sign. I'd focus on your interview skills as well as try to do things to improve your overall resume.

Do you know anyone who is in HR or a manager? Maybe try mock interviews with them to see if they have pointers.

I'm definitly getting better at interviews.

I was the hiring manager for 2 positions last summer. For the people who made it to the in-person interview, I was amazed at those so many acted totally blase about the whole thing. No questions for us, no statement why they were a great fit, no "big finish" with "I want to work here and this is why."

If you make it to the in-person interview, I would recommend taking notes during the interview for a summary. Come prepared with 1-2 questions (personally I like, "tell me what my typical day would be like" or "what do you think is the greatest challenge of this role.") Use the answers to close with a powerful statement like "based on your description of this job, I am a great candidate because I bring X , Y, Z skills. Thanks to X, I can easily tackle the greatest challenge and I look forward to the opportunity. I want this job."

My other advice would be not to babble endlessly. Take a second to think of how you want to answer the question, answer, then stop. We had several people who would just burble along, past the point of making any sense. I know nerves play a part, but don't babble!

My favorite question (as an interviewer) to get back from an interviewee is something along the lines of "What reservations, if any, do you still have about hiring me now that we've talked?" Typical day questions are good, but the question above gets you hired (because you get a chance to address whatever the interviewer is concerned about based on your interview and resume, and thus get to alleviate those concerns directly.

good tips. Thanks.

A couple more tips, take 'em or leave 'em.

Try including a professional looking photo with your resume and cover letter. Your resume will stand out from the others and your face will be familiar when you walk into the interview.

The day after an interview, hand deliver a thank you note saying thank you for the interview and include anything you have thought of since the interview that you feel you need to share.

As a hiring manager, I think it would be SUPER WEIRD to get a photo. So yeah, it would definitely stand out!

Thank you notes are nice, but they have never swayed me one way or the other.

I never ask questions. Maybe that is why I never get hired! lol I think a lot of people are concerned that I am in college. I went back to school after my divorce, and it's just me, so I need a solid job while I attend school. I know it's a lot, but I can handle it. I think that makes people nervous.

I don't think most professionals today judge a qualified person by their weight unless it is a physical job that requires them to be in good health. I think the fact that you made it to the interviews is a sign that they considered you seriously. If they hadn't, you wouldn't have made it that far. Only so many applicants are chosen for interviews.

In two different jobs, I worked as an assistant to supervisors who asked for my advice on who to hire. I also had to sort out the resumes according to their requirements, and for the interviews. On one job, the applicants were required to supply a photo because they would be working with the public (i.e. a good part of the job was as tourist info reps). Those that didn't supply the photo, didn't get considered at all. So while most jobs don't need a photo, if they ask for it -- give one.

They just wanted to make sure the applicant dressed in a professional, neat & clean manner. Since they had over 400 applicants for about 20 positions, they used "requirement criteria" to weed out those who didn't follow instructions -- and this is a tip that everyone should remember. Many applicants don't get interviews because they didn't follow instructions at the base level. Also, if the application and resume were messy and incomplete, it was canned. Get it done professionally, if needs be.

I agree that showing eagerness is important. Don't be afraid to ask a few questions -- that shows keen interest. Plus, make sure that you are as qualified as possible: focus on any skills, talents, education, or experience that could be helpful in that position. Include volunteer work and any clubs you belonged to (i.e. Girl Guide leader; coaching sports; Big Sisters) --- that shows a social interest that would be admired.

EDIT 2 ADD ~ Btw, if someone doesn't want to hire you just becuz of your weight -- trust me, you wouldn't really want to work for them either ... ;)

I do think weight matters - but somewhat subconsciously and more importantly, in how you present and feel about yourself - your confidence level. Don't think insecurities don't show - they do.

I think it depends on the person making the decision, it doesn't happen at the place that I work, but sometimes individuals consciously or not may be more "into" a person for various reasons that don't have to do with how well they can actually do the job. I searched for over a year, I got a job but before that I temped and did internships. I find that what helped me the most was forming that "spark" with someone when you interact with them-still talking about the job itself, but at the same time in an almost "chatty" kind of way. I try to be the "BFF" they never had lol. I was pretty successful in places that bothered to interview me!

I had an interview yesterday and used a lot of the suggestions I was given. I'll let you know what happens.

You don't work for Camber Corporation in Maryland do you? :lol:

Fun fact - appearance DOES matter. A LOT. Its just the way of the world. I have a degree in Psychology and we covered this topic in my Social Psychology class. They did an experiment where they would send in two fake interviewees in for a job interview. One was average looking and had a better resume and more relevant experience and one was attractive and had less experience.

They video taped both interviews. In every case, every case, the more attractive person was hired. When interviewers were asked about this, they came up with reasons like, "so and so was more personable and charismatic. They seemed to be more qualified for the job because of their experience." When researchers would point out that the person they hired was not the best qualified person for the job, interviewers would be baffled.

Its the subconscious. People just react better to more attractive people. It's been happening since birth. Studies have shown that infants will keep looking at an attractive face for a longer amount of time than a plain face.

Depressing, right? Sorry, I just went super nerd on you, but this is my FIELD! lol

*sorry, like double double post! why? haha*

*sorry, like double double post! why? haha*

I think you got some great answers already on interview technique and such, but I also have to agree with jj0293 - appearance does matter. HOWEVER, the fact that you are overweight does not. I think a lot of people get caught up in dressing up for an interview so much that they don't take into account what the people at the workplace there dress like. Try to find a good match between "I am serious about this so I dressed my part" and also "this is me, what I wear is who I am and it fits who you are". I don't know how to explain it in English, haha. But I once got turned down for a job because they felt I did not "fit into the culture" and when I look back on the interview (was with the last 4 of 200) everything went right but what I was wearing made me look more "formal" and I know the way I speak already makes me look kinda formal/intellectual while I am really good fun and relaxed haha. So the clothes accentuated something that they did not look for and that also really wasn't the real me.

Hope this helps. I suck at explaining my point in English sometimes! Haha

I was just going to chime in with an appearance comment. Make sure you are wearing clothing that fits you well and looks good on you. I think a lot of clothing for larger women tends to not look as nice and crisp as regular-sized clothes (lots of business casual things like large tops and wide-leg pants and not so many tailored slacks and fitted shirts for my cursory looks and past experience), but I'd go ahead and make sure I had a really well-fitting, quality outfit on, and my hair and make-up was neat as well.

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I've got to agree with all the appearance comments. Take a good hard look at what you are wearing to your interview or for your current job even.

I do not interview people, but I see the people going to HR to get interviews at our company, and I must ask this question....

WHEN ARE FLIPS FLOPS OK FOR AN INTERVIEW?! NEVER. I don't care if they're pretty with little stones.

Flip flops are also not business casual clothing! The same goes for sleeveless shirts - not appropriate in business!

It's maddening to hear women in their 20's complain that they don't get a job or promoted because they wear stuff like that.

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I am so with you about the flip flops! I work in an accounting firm and there are an astounding number of women (not all of them young) wearing strappy sandals and open-toed, heel-less shoes. I don't wear suits (EVER) but my shoes are appropriate!

It's sad we are based on looks to get a job. But if it's any better or worse my boss only tends to hire curvy girls, I think cause she is curvy herself. (which makes it a pain when you're losing weight when everyone around you eats whatever they want)

^^This.

I have worked in the dental field forever and I know for a fact looks/weight are taken into consideration first and foremost. It sucks (and it's wrong) but that's the way it is..

My husband is a partner in an egineering business and I work there part-time doing human resource/admin work. I advertise for new positions, screen resumes, set up interviews, etc. Being overweight is a huge disadvantage as both partners are fit, healthy, athletic and I know that they are reluctant to hire an overweight person (I'm not talking 15 pounds) because they are seen as unhealthy, more apt to take sick days, need surgeries, etc. I think it's also seen as a personal weakness. Yeah, I'm overweight myself so if I wasn't married to the owner I probably wouldn't be working there.

BTW, I have received several resumes that contain a picture of the candidate. It's not standard in this field, but I don't think it's weird.

Hugs cherrypie!

I hate to say it but discrimination in Vancouver Island, yeah... I'd suspect there is some level of it (I'm from BC myself, for those who don't know, Vancouver Island is pretty much your lowest obesity rate in Canada, still almost half of places like Colorado or Washington state).

The perception that fat people are inherently lazy is a strong one. You have to beat it by being the best darn interview ever. Good luck to you!!!

My current boss is a physician (I work for a medical center although my work is not clinical). I was nervous going into the interview about this, but she still hired me. So while I'm sure it's a very real phenomenon, it's not always the case.

I have a cousin who's a psychologist and was horrified that so many people would apply by email with email addy's like sexykitty@hotmail :lol:

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I hate this viewpoint that society has. I've never had a sick day or surgery attributed to being overweight, but yet, this is what business thinks about overweight people.

People have thoughts like - "if they don't have the motivation and willpower to lose weight, how can they perform their job when it counts?"

It annoys me to no end. I also realize the world isn't changing and I have to work within it, so career is one of the top 5 reasons I'm losing this weight.

I didn't mean to imply that this is the attitude everywhere. But yeah, I do think there's a lot of discrimination against fat people overall. It's also one of my main motivators in trying to lose some pounds. I want to be more respected.

Weight-ism in the job market is the thing that flipped a switch in my desire to lose weight. I had recently relocated and applied for several jobs. At one point I had two interviews in two days for jobs I was more than qualified for. I presented well and I was professionaly dressed. But I was rejected for both jobs on the same day. The only thing I could attribute it to was my weight and possibly age (I am 35). I want to give my self the best advantage.

It has been 6 months and I am just now starting to look for work again. I hope I have better luck this time around.

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dstalksalot - Don't assume it was your weight. There's so many people out there looking for jobs who have just have unbelievable qualifications (or know someone). You never know who you're competing against.