Studies in America state that you are more likely to get hired for a job if you are tall and slim than if you are short and overweight.  Now, I have to say that I think that is a little ripe coming from the world’s most obese nation!  Indeed one survey actually found that the taller you are the higher your starting salary is likely to be – amazing isn’t it? So, in order to know how to look good in this department, here are some tips on your height and weight…apologies if you’re offended, I’m just telling it like it is – honestly!

Fortunately, I do not believe this is such a factor in the U.K, and it is not something you should be paranoid about if you are a little on the short side (I’m only 5′ 8″ and it hasn’t hurt me).  I firmly believe that you do have to be severely shorter before it becomes even noticeable, and even then I believe that most hiring companies are more scientific about their recruitment than to let such a small (sorry) thing get in the way of a hiring decision.  For the ladies, I do not believe it is an issue at all.

I honestly believe it is the personal “presence” that you generate when you walk into an interview, and the energy you generate once the interview gets underway which is more important.

Look Good

If you still believe it is a problem for you, I suggest that dressing in, and acting in an authorative manner will overcome this perceived handicap.  Dark suit (expensive looking), white shirt, eye contact and act confident.

Unfortunately though, weight is a different proposition.  Again, do not take this personally, but being grossly overweight can prejudice your chances at interview.  I clearly remember a situation I came across in 1999.  I had a senior executive visit me looking for a job.  He was due to be made redundant in the near future, had been out on a number of interviews without success.  He wasn’t desperate, but couldn’t understand why he had not been offered jobs he considered he had interviewed well for, and was obviously suitably qualified for.

In the end, we did a role play interview on video and then sat down to analyse the role play.  As soon as the screen flicked into life my candidate stood exclaiming,

“Oh, my God, what do I look like?”,

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“My God, I am so fat”, came the reply.

Quite simply he hadn’t realised that over the years he had, shall we say, accumulated a couple of michelins!

“That’s the problem, and those spare tyres are going”, he said.  He then watched the rest of the role play in silence.  It was the experience of seeing himself on video that made him realise that his weight was holding him back.  In essence, he didn’t like what he saw, and probably, subconsciously, decided he wouldn’t hire himself!

“Thanks very much” he said as he left shaking my hand vigourously, “please, do not put me on anymore interviews for the moment, I will come back to you soon”.

Healthy Weight

Three months later, and nearly two stones lighter, James walked into my office one morning. I didn’t recognise him at first. He looked absolutely superb, had sharpened himself up on the dress front as well, and was raring to go get a new, challenging job.  So, did the story have a happy ending? You bet!

James went out on a series of interviews over the following four weeks.  He got offers from over two thirds of the companies he went to see, and in the end, took a job that offered a rise of some £20,000 over his previous package.

It is nice to tell a success story, but the message is clear, there is a bias (whether intended or not).  I’m not defending it, but overweight people are paid less, do not get the best jobs, and suffer in the competitive world of job hunting.  As I said I am not defending it, but I will tell you why.

It is simply that overweight people are perceived as both unhealthy and lazy.  It is also seen as a sign of a lack of self-discipline or, possibly, even the sign of psychological problems.  It will nearly always prejudice your chances, sorry, but that’s the way it is. You should know by now that I tell it like it is, and that is the way it is.  My apologies if you are offended, but I tell you because you need to know.

If you are overweight to a noticeable degree (and I don’t just mean a few pounds), then the obvious thing to do is go on a diet.  If you decide you are serious about losing weight, go and see your doctor, and get put on a proper program.

If you are not prepared to do that, your only alternative is to put up with the prejudice, and interview in a manner which gives you the best chance of overcoming the situation.  The best way to do that is stress how hard working you are, how disciplined you are, tell them how good your attendance record was at your last job.  Have examples at the ready which back up your claim.  Maybe a project that required a high degree of discipline to deliver on time that you brought in on time and to budget.  Let them know that you regularly worked late, etc.

Finally on this subject, don’t be obsessed by the situation yourself, do not mention it for the sake of it, and make sure you exude energy when you are interview…this will help you feel good and better about yourself and demonstrate your commitment to doing a good job.