How much of a hindrance is obesity? Forum

[ballouttacontrol]

I agree that weight is, unfortunately, a negative factor.

But I also think that, in addition to "not being overweight" being in shape is also becoming more of a thing. I have yet to experience this at my firm, but I know that a significant portion of my friends are at firms where the associates (and many partners) run 5Ks and, like any social/firm event...you want to be there. This could be region-specific, I don't know, but it's something to think about beyond just not being overweight/obese (or, conversely, maybe being in great shape can make up for being overweight?)

https://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/0 ... marathons/

lmaoooo

[Serett]

I thought the doors were fairly wide at all of the firms I've visited, and the elevators have supported a minimum of 2500 lbs.

[philepistemer]

http://news.efinancialcareers.com/uk-en ... 1460039063

Relevant to op, though confirming what everyone already knew.

As the requisite brainpower for the job goes down and client interaction goes up, the looks of the employees get better, and law really isn't that hard (though it's a grind). I think this also explains why litigation people are on average uglier than corporate lawyers (ime). It takes a lot more intelligence to be Harold Koh or Paul Clement than it takes to be an M&A rainmaker at a V5. (I'm a corporate person btw).

[elimanning]

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[Anonymous User]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this, but...

You might consider how your clothing fits your shape, as well. I think poorly fitted clothing tends to exaggerate any negative bias associated with obesity. Worse, feeling dissatisfaction with one's body/appearance tends to discourage one from taking the time to acquire a flattering wardrobe. It's actually been my experience that the better you dress, the more confident you feel, the more apt your are to notice the beautiful parts of you (I'm sure there are many!), the better you treat your body, as a result.

Buy quality fabrics and have everything professionally tailored, if you aren't already. There are a wealth of resources online to help you find what qualities you should look for in professional dress. Don't forget your shoes! The best part of shoes is that they usually fit despite weight fluctuation, and they're meant to last 10+ years when crafted correctly. They're always a wise investment.

Clothing says far more about who you are and how you see yourself than people realize. It's a method to communicate to the world WHO you are. If you look like you belong, then people will believe you do.

(And if you have any doubt that clothing can be an effective way to encourage others to see you in a certain light, consider the studies that prove men find women in red more sexually attractive, or those that have found that men wearing blue ties are often associated with qualities like trustworthiness.)

[Anonymous User]

Lastly, being "fit", or at least healthy looking, is a reflection of a persons character and values. It shows dedication and health.

Eh, at various points in my life I've been in better shape than 99% of people (while in military), and I've also been 40 lbs overweight. The only "character and value" changes I had were children and a busy schedule. Maybe less money (makes it harder to eat healthy) and a bad geographical location (no healthy to-go food options) as well.

In any event, keep in mind that there is a big difference between being technically "obese" (which I think I still am) and being, like, OBESE. People might not judge you a lot of if you're just a big person with broad shoulders and some muscle, and you're like 6'2" / 240 lb with a beer belly. But if you're a soft 5'11", 300 lbs, then at that point I think a lot of the judgments about your work ethic and such get magnified or at least you get to where your obesity becomes the elephant in the room (no pun intended). The thought goes from "looks like a typical American slob" to "HOLY SHIT HOW DOES A PERSON LET HIMSELF GO LIKE THAT?" I'm not trying to be harsh, but I've hired for two different employers now and I've heard these things.

If you're in the "slovenly American look" range, then the obesity might not be the reason for your issues. If you're in the "WOW!" range, then I think the harsh reality is that you have to try to get it under control to be competitive in the workplace.

[Anonymous User]

I'm glad someone posted about this. Obese female at a top school, decent grades, working at my dream firm next month for 2L SA. Am terrified that the weight will be a subconscious issue for those I'm working for. I've been so worried about it that I've lost 15 pounds since Jan and while I'm def still obese (60 more pounds to lose), I'm really terrified of being perceived as lazy/slovenly as other posters have mentioned.I get this is a consequence of being heavy, but I think there's extra judgment for fat women. I know people will form judgments and all I can do about it keep losing weight and work that much harder to dispel any notion that I am lazy because I let my body go.

In my experience, it's less of an issue for women. Part of it is clothing: the large female attorneys I know look professional in what they wear; it's really difficult for big men to look like anything other than a blimp in a suit coat. Also, there was a social group of 5-10 slender women in law school who hung out together and even had their own nickname related to their appearance (someone out there might know what I'm talking about, T-30, c/o 2013), and a lot of them didn't get legal jobs at graduation. They overall seemed to do worse than the bigger girls.

I think there's still the issue of overcoming looking like an "airhead" or the assumption that people will think a hot blonde woman was just hired for her looks. There is no similar issue for men.

Anecdotal, yes, but take it for what it's worth.

[A. Nony Mouse]

See, I agree about the airhead thing, but I think women just get screwed on both ends, for being too hot and for not being hot enough. (Says the slovenly American...)

But I agree on the "obese" and OBESE distinction, and I don't see a lot of the latter either. I work with a lot of annoyingly fit ex- or current military people, so maybe not representative. But to be honest, when I see an OBESE attorney I assume they have to be brilliant to have been hired over their looks (and so far that's held true) (small sample though).

[Anonymous User]

Just so you know, a 5'1 less-than-90lbs woman also faces perception issues.

[Serett]

[youtube]ijZRCIrTgQc[/youtube]

[cron1834]

Just so you know, a 5'1 less-than-90lbs woman also faces perception issues.

There's someone at my school that I'd estimate at about 4"11 and 85. It's definitely going to present some perception issues, but I'd still rather be a tiny, good looking female than weigh three bills. In a heartbeat.

Accidental anon, this is Cron.

[Anonymous User]

Just so you know, a 5'1 less-than-90lbs woman also faces perception issues.

Yes. As does a 5'11" less-than-130 lb female. You get the whole "WOW YOU ARE SO TALL" (no shit) and the whole judgment about eating issues or whatever.

[Anonymous User]

I think I would have performed better at OCI if I was in better shape. I let myself go during the summer. I have intentionally focused on working out over the year in order to increase my odds of getting an offer as a Summer Associate.

[Serett]

[youtube]ijZRCIrTgQc[/youtube]

[barkschool]

this post should be linked under the "Compilation Job Search & OCI" advice sticky

[L_William_W]

Chris Christie has a law license...

I highly doubt that this will be an issue. There are many overweight women at the pro bono organization that I have an unpaid internship at