Why doesn't anyone want to hire big people?

I have had so many interviews (such as Mcdonald's today) but so many people have seem to just look over me when it comes to the hiring process! I mean it seems to me they think I have a good personality but something stops them from hiring me. I am a black female and I live in a very small redneck town but I don't think that is the problem because I see other black women that I went to school with that work in the same places I applied at  (a lot of them I am related to somehow) but I STILL do not get a job. I am beginning to realize it is because I am 334 lbs NOT because of my skin color. It makes me mad because it says that every place now a days is an equal oppurtinity employer but have you noticed it says they don't discrimate against race, ethnicity religious beliefs... BUT I rarely ever see it say we don't discrimate against weight. I have applied at KFC a couple times in my town and it says ON THE APPLICATION height and then you see a box for weight!! Um they DO NOT need to know much I or ANYONE else weighs that is nobody's business except mine, my doctor's, and my families, Anywho it makes me mad. I mean even mcdonald's didn't seem to want to hire me and it seems they are the prime reason everyone claims they are overweight, MO, or SMO. I mean sheesh. Oh and it didn't help that the woman I was interviewed by seemed to be like 5'5 to 5'7 MAYBE a size 4 and absolutely stunning! I just hate that people look at me like oh you have a great personality and I think you would be a good fit but you are fat so I can't hire you. I mean how am I going to do what I got to do to have surgery if I do not have  a job to keep up with the requirements of surgery! Just needed to rant and rave for a minute it upsets me sometimes lol.

 Try looking for a job outside of the restaurant field.  Kitchens are often very tight quarters, and larger people just don't fit well enough to function at an optimal capacity, which is always the goal in the kitchen (I know - I own a restaurant).  

The other issue is a shallow one, but it just is what it is, right or wrong.  A large sized person is often looked at as lazy, which in such a fast-paced environement, especially interviewed by a size 4, they may think you might move slower than the other employees and not be able to work as hard.  I'm not saying that as truth - but as perception, which is probably preventing you from being hired in such places.

If you're a people-person, look for some place that allows you to maximize those skills.  Its hard to find someone *****ally makes the customers feel warm and welcome, which is what I look for with someone applying to the front counter.  A cashier or receptionist would be a great fit.  Find some place that looks for more than mindless hustle.  Call centers are great places to find work with better benefits, too.

Valerie-

It's very hard to get a job as a receptionist when you are obese. 

Somehow, employers beleive you might be offensive to their customers, detracting from their business.

I always worked back office jobs, when I could work.

 It all depends on your demeanor.  If you are well put together, have a warm personality, and treat everyone like they were cherished like family, that's a great impression to put out, large or small.

Val-

You may have worked at a place where there was a bit more fat acceptance.

I know when I was working and very SMO, the bigger I got, the less front office stuff I did, and the more I was hidden.

It's a given that my clothing may have had something to do with it, because except for a few things, I could no longer buy off the rack, not even at "plus" stores. 

Next month, I plan to have my before and after pictures transferred from another hard drive, and post them, so those who've never seen them can see them. You'll be absolutely dumbfounded by the weight loss, I guarantee that!

I'm sorry to hear you're having issues with finding employment.  Just a tip - try hospitals, daycares, schools, and Colleges.  Your first job in any of these may not be spectacular, but just get your foot in the door.  There are usually opportunities to move up.

Best Wishes!

 I agree with you about job opportunities for heavy people.  Here's another reason, they don't want to hire heavy people or smokers because they are perceived to cost more in insurance dollars.  And it's perfectly OK to discriminate against you because of your weight.  That's not covered.  Doesn't make it right but it's a fact.

Yet another really good reason to have surgery.  I lived with this kind of treatment for most of my working career.  I had to be twice as good to overcome my body size.  And after I lost the weight, I was treated differently by many co-workers I had worked with for years.  It was like they suddenly discovered I wasn't stupid.  Suddenly my opinion counted and they would consult with me on problems.

It's not right and it's not fair.  But that's the way it is.

You are so right about the workplace!  I went from inivisible to rock star without changing anything but my size.  That being said though - it was everyone else in the company.  My direct boss always treated me very well and I enjoyed making him look good.

"And after I lost the weight, I was treated differently by many co-workers I had worked with for years.  It was like they suddenly discovered I wasn't stupid.  Suddenly my opinion counted and they would consult with me on problems."


No KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I have had the same experiences......... Even in my personal life....... Suddenly I was no longer stupid.  UGH

Sorry you are going through this.  Living in a very small redneck town makes the situation even more difficult -  less job opportunities available. Have had experience living in both small town rural CA and  San Francisco, and know just exactly what you mean.    Wish you the best of luck.