I am looking for an office job and overweight. Having trouble getting hired.Should I lose weight to get hired?

I am 33 years old and working as a receptionist. I have been trying to land a job as an administrative assistant but haven't had any good luck getting hired. I am starting to wonder if me being overweight is my problem not getting hired. I weigh 255 and I am 5'6 tall. I am a very good hardworking person. I know I need to lose weight for my health but should it affect me in my job hunting?
I am looking for an office job and overweight. Having trouble getting hired.Should I lose weight to get hired?
It shouldn't help with your job hunting as plenty of companies are more concerned with your qualifications.





However, it wouldn't hurt for you to get in better shape. You'd have more confidence and would feel better, too.
Reply:Your weight should not affect your ability to do the job: any chance you can work up the ladder in the company you already work for? If so, start asking for additional responsiblities: scheduling trips for those who travel for their jobs, preparing reports, etc. You will get noticed: and be sure the person at the department head knows you are doing the work so the credit does not go to someone else. If that is not an option, start looking into jobs you would like to pursue and even if you are overweight: be positive, show self confidence and sincerity. The best job recommendation you can have is staying with one company for a long time. It shows you are dedicated. Good luck!
Reply:Lose weight for your health first of all.
Reply:It shouldn't affect your job hunt, but still...people are shallow.





I think you should lose the weight for yourself. You'll feel better, and that may come across in your interveiws. Good luck!
Reply:it shouldn't but it will. to many people look at only the outside. it sucks but, it's true.
Reply:Lose weight and go back to school.





Best of luck
Reply:Lose weight because it'll help you live longer and have a better quality of life. IF it helps your employment opportunity, so much the better
Reply:if u have good technical knowlege and are good at ur work u wld definately get a gud job irrespective the way you look....


its just a matter of time till u get recognised...


n i u rnt then get down...do some hardwork...either get some good amount of knowledge or get a good sexy figure in next 6 months!!!
Reply:It shouldnt effect you getting a job, but the world is pretty messed up. The world is cruel and it seems like you have to look like a super model to get anywhere. Find out if thats the reason and if it is you can sue for discrimination. good luck
Reply:Honestly yes this could be the reason. Sadly but many people are hired, or not hired because of their appearance.
Reply:yes, lose weight. they can not legally discriminate, they can however choose anyone they want based on thier personal opinions. nuff said.
Reply:It shouldn't make any difference, but the realistic answer is that it does. Overweight people don't make as good an iimpression on interviewers. It shouldn't be that way, but it is.


As for whether you should lose weight to get hired? No. You should lose weight for your own well being and good health. If it helps you in landing the kind of job you want, that's a great bonus. But you should be doing it for yourself, not for any external person.
Reply:I think that you'll be able to find a job, just keep looking, as for losing wieght it's all up to you, do you fell beautiful, strong and fantastic. If you do then you have no reason to lose wieght.
Reply:i think it would help your career. as bad as it sounds people subconsciously tend to listen to/hire/promote better looking, taller people. its sad but i think theres some truth to it.





ps my mom lost like 55 pounds on weight watchers but it costs money. good luck!
Reply:Well, discrimination based on weight is unlawful in most states. However, unless you have some evidence that it is your weight, then you will have a hard time. You'd have to see people less qualified than you getting hired for the same job, without a legitimate business reason (which may include the fact that they felt you did not interview well, did not have the people skills they wanted, or whatever). They are tough cases.





Why not just lose the weight? Don't you want to anyway?
Reply:It's unfair, but it's true. People are judged on their appearances. Good luck friend =(
Reply:It sucks, but people respond better to thinner people than heavier people. Unfair though that is, you would increase your chances of landing that perfect job if you lost a few pounds. I wish the world wasn't that way, but it pretty much is. I speak from experience because I recently lost 60 lbs for health reasons and have noticed a distinct change in peoples' attitudes toward me.
Reply:I'm about as fat as you are, and I'm afraid the answer to that is "yes"! It is a bit understandable, with desk placements,


the distance to open file drawers, and chair space. It might be better to try for a job in a grocers office, or in a grocery store while loosing weight--percentage off foods such as weight watchers or south beach diet! (Good luck, I think smiling happy people are the best, no matter what their size!)
Reply:it would be nice for your health.. but you dont have to! You will find the job you want.. the world is just filled with ignorant people! it just shows that you are better than them! it shouldnt affect you in job hunting, i know of plenty of offices that i go to that have bigger ladies.. the people who wont hire you are missing out on a great person!
Reply:Yeah, lose weight so you can feel better about yourself and be more comfortable. (And yes, health reasons too).





As for job searching...maybe bring out your personality more?? In your resume, at interviews, etc. Be charismatic and show lots of ambition with a can-do attitude.