Job Hunting While Fat
Whenever someone asks me what they should do about being discriminated against, whether for legal or illegal reasons, my first thought is "Are you sure you're being discriminated against?"
This may sound like a not very open minded or compassionate response. To frame my perspective, note that I have been in HR for seven (long) years and have heard the word "discrimination" used pretty liberally during that time.
Super HR blogger & a good friend of mine, Laurie Ruettimann of Punk Rock HR recieved an email from one of her readers regarding her post Work, Obesity and Common Employment Myths. The reader said,
I'm 51 and have been overweight most of my adult life. I have also experienced prejudice and lack of promotion because of it. I was even told in one annual review that I needed to lose weight, with the implication that this was affecting my ability to be promoted. I have always done superior work for my employers, but for some reason (duh!) was always the first one released in an economic downturn or company "re-organization".
As I get older, I am experiencing increasing difficulty in finding employment, being currently unemployed since my position was "eliminated" in April. Interestingly, I do not have any trouble getting interviews, but seldom get past the first in-person screening. I thought age discrimination might be a factor, but my age should be a giveaway if one looks at employment dates on my resume, yet I still get interviews. I am usually told that I do not have enough experience in the areas they are looking for compared to other candidates, but friends (of "normal" weight) in various job-seeker groups I belong to seem to have no problem landing in new jobs where they have much less job-related experience than those where I have applied. And it is not because I "do not interview well". I am often complimented on my interview skills (well-practiced by necessity) as well as qualifications. One HR Manager (who just happened to be overweight herself, and so not likely to be prejudiced) recently told me that she considered me to be an "A+" in the interview and was shocked (as was my recruiter) that the hiring manager decided to "fill the position internally" after she had conducted a long candidate search, which presumably included considering internal candidates.
So what advice would you give? (And, yes, I am trying to lose weight, but that could take a while). Should I just keep on job-hunting and HOPE to find a non-prejudiced employer, or do something pro-active, like sending a copy of the MSU article which you quoted in your post as a follow-up after the interview, particularly if I do not hear anything from the employer or get a "pass", in which case, presumably, I would have nothing to lose?
Hearing stuff like this makes me hate being in HR & reminds me of all the hiring manager & lobby rat comments I've heard through the years.
You know the lobby rats: the people who don't seem to do any actual work but swing through the company's lobby or reception area at least once an hour, coffee cup in hand, ready to chat up the receptionist? I hate those people. Anyways, I've heard everything from "there's a woman with Some Serious Eyebrows here for you - says she has an interview" to "Emo kid alert: lobby" to somethings I probably shouldn't repeat on this blog. Of course, I have also heard. "There's a hot hottie mchotman in the lobby for you, and I hate you" and similar.
But I digress.
My advice to this gentleman is:
Know who and what you are dealing with before the interview.
Get on LinkedIn and link like crazy. Every time you see a position you want to apply for, check your network to see if you know anyone (or someone that knows someone) that works or worked there. Talk to them. Depending upon your relationship and/or comfort level, ask them:
- How are overweight people treated at the company?
- If and when there are layoffs, who tends to go first? Performance challenged or...?
- What seem to be the biggest employee relations issues (a non-HR-nerd way to ask this is What do employees tend to complain about over and over?).
- Does it seem like there are a lot of older or younger people that work there?
- Does it seem like most of the employees share common interests?
These questions, especially when asked of a variety of people, can tell you a lot about a workplace. Get on Glassdoor.com and find out how employees you're not connected with feel about the company.
Don't be afraid to improve (or call people on their BS).
Laurie's reader sounds like an intelligent & confident guy. But even the most intelligent and confident among us can always improve. A good way to find out where you need to improve is by asking for objective feedback. At the end of interviews, get in the habit of asking hiring managers and recruiters "Do you have any concerns about my ability to meet and exceed your expectations in this job?" Be sincere. Be ready to hear their possible answers. Be ready to allay their concerns.
If and when you don't get an offer, call the hiring manager and recruiter and ask for specific feedback. Don't be a pain about it - be as professional & sincere as possible. Something like "Hi Jenn, thanks so much for your message about xyz position. I'm hoping to improve myself as a candidate and find the right fit. Since I'm closely targetting great companies such as ABC, Inc. I would really appreciate any feedback you have on my interview answers and skills" works well. Here's what doesn't work well, "Hi Jenn, I'm really disappointed I didn't get the job, especially when my skills and experience match it so perfectly. Can you tell me why I wasn't hired?"
Repeat after me: you cannot afford to sully your reputation.
If you were to send the MSU article to me after being turned down for the position, I would be insulted. I would not be interested in interviewing you again...at any company. Why? Because you insulted my intelligence and integrity by implying I'm unprofessional and don't hire "fat people". I don't take kindly to that insinuation, because I don't do that. Don't encourage me to tell recruiting friends about your antics. Don't do it.
Readers, I'm tapped out. What do you think?
11 comments:
The title of your post certainly jumped out at me from my RSS list. In the end, I disagree with your tips on what the applicant should do -- but where your tips include H.R. and coaching type suggestions, mine are what you'd expect to come from a litigation attorney: Skip sending the recruiter a study or making a phone call about "what can I learn from my failure."
Instead, sue the mofoes.
Of course they will be insulted, but they deserve it. They insulted the applicant by being blind to his qualifications once they laid eyes on HIM, instead of his resume.
If filing an actual lawsuit is too over the top, then file a complaint with the EEOC or your state's Dept of Labor. The cost is minimal and the effect the same. It could even lead to a monetary settlement and the EEOC monitoring the way the company handles future applicants.
I know HR folks aren't going to want to hear this kind of a response, but it's a valid option for applicants that they often don't know about.
Curt - I adore you. What would the candidate sue for though? Isn't it legal to discriminate based on weight? (as long as it's not going into the "morbid obesity" category and thus potentially landing under the ADA). Also, wouldn't the burden of proof be on the candidate? I don't know. Sounds like a hard row to hoe, if you ask me. It may certainly be an option though - please tell me what I'm missing as I want the candidate to hear all of his options! Esp. the EEOC filing instead of straight up suing. That is a good one.
Please understand, I'm not suggesting the candidate is failing. What I am suggesting is getting as much info as possible to find out "what exactly is going on" and put some pressure on prejudiced hiring authorities. If they are indeed not hiring him because of his weight, they could use a good poke to the eye from an assertive, talented candidate that doesn't take "gee, no thanks" as the last word.
HR Wench, this is all great advice but what I'm getting from this candidate is quite a bit of negativity. I have a feeling if the candidate is this down on himself regarding age and weight, it comes across in person, regardless of weight. This person is not going to present well in an interview or as a potential high performer if he is so fixated on his own shortcomings.
Can this individual find some interview coaching? A mental health professional? Even a stylist to help find the most flattering clothing?
As a recruiter I have hired people of all ages and sizes, but that kind of "I'm being discriminated against" attitude could be what's holding this person back. I'm not saying the discrimination is imagined, it's that he isn't helping himself by focusing on this.
Anon - I urge caution in your assessment. He very well could be discriminated against for his weight and/or age. Does he have any definitive proof? None that I know of, other than that terrible supervisor who wrote about his weight in his performance review. However, discrimination can be crafty and subtle. As an HR person, I have the FUN job of investigating whether or not discrimination is taking place. Many times it's not....but many times it is. Proving it is the hard part.
Sure, if someone screams "discrimination" every time they are given a talking to by their boss, not hired, laid off, etc. maybe they are not looking at each situation with the clearest of goggles. But suspecting discrimination doesn't automatically equal a "negative attitude". And feeling like doody because of it is natural, I would think. Getting outside help to process those feelings is a good idea, though.
Being over 40 is not a shortcoming. I would venture to say being overweight is not a shortcoming either. Prior to getting on the correct medication, I had a medical condition that packed 40 extra pounds around my middle. Within 2-3 months of getting on the right meds (without changing diet & exercise habits) I dropped 40 lbs. No joke.
I'm fat. I have been for 25 years. I am on a diet. I have lost 25 pounds in the past 4 months. I am working out to reduce cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.
I have worked for three companies that have been named to the Great Places to Work list in my career. I have never been without a job.
Being fat is problematic. I don't choose it, but it is hard to fix. I know I have been passed over for jobs. It wouldn't do me any good to sue. I would lose, even if I had grounds.
good companies hire good people. Short sighted managers pass over those canddiates who don't fit their personal bias.
They are ultimately the losers here.
Michael - Well said!
Quick! Right now there is a discussion on my local NPR station www.wamu.org about this very topic. The program is called The Kojo Nnamdi Show (or something close) and it might be available later if you miss it.
Curt mention's suing. If you do so, you are probably wasting your time and money. Being fat isn't a protected class. You'd have to prove that you have a legal disability to have any grounds to sue. My advice is to lose weight (if you really think that is what is keeping you from getting a job). Yes, you can do it. Use self-discipline to eat less and exercise more. Get medical treatment if you need to. I always battle my weight - size 10 to 16 and back and forth and back and forth. It can be done though. If it means getting a job, the work to lose weight is worth it. From what you wrote, I suspect your problem isn't that though. If you are getting let go, not promoted, etc., the weight sounds like an excuse. You might reconsider your job performance and try to evaluate it fairly and honestly. My previous companies both laid employees off, but I was never let go despite being the newest hire, because of my job performance.
Anon - Sorry I wasn't quick enough, but thanks for the link!
Sue - Thanks for your comments. I believe there is one state where you can't discriminate based on weight (state law) but other than that it's game.
http://www.onyxmd .com Thanks for trying to spam-comment my blog. You just ensured me never becoming a client of yours.
Some good ideas to consider!
But I do think Sue's comments are a little unrealistic. What are "fat people" supposed to do while they're losing weight for the next year or two in order to get a job, file for unemployment? What if someone has a medical condition and can't lose weight? Not everyone can change themselves to fit other people's ideals.
Some "fat people" are doing their best to lose weight. In the meantime, they still need a job. They can do their best to present themselves well, demonstrate job skills, and give impeccable references, but are still confronted with prejudice during the hiring process. Even if people tell a potential employer that they are on a diet, they are often met with comments like "So since you are on a diet, are you cranky all the time?" It doesn't matter what a "fat person" says, people are going to judge them in some way.
Interesting discussion - keep it coming!
Post a Comment