Some advise for a fat guy on interview..

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dushash

dushash

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Hi guys,
hope you are all doing fine. I was just wondering about any tips for a fat guy to dress appropriately for an interview. I'm 6ft tall, but 215lbs, I'm fat, especially around belly. I'm something in between of Jonah Hill and Seth Rogen (when they were fat). I used to be 185lbs, but for the last year I was under stress (loss of my father) and I just got fat. I know it's still no excuse and I am already working out and dieting to get in shape, but it will take at least 6-8 months. I am not sure how fat guys are looked at on interview, but I suspect not favorably (except those who have a legit disease - which I don't) and I was thinking to at least try to dress up in something that will at least make me look less fat.
It's a silly question to many of you, but please, don't mock. Instead some good advise or tip from those of you who are in same situation would be really appreciated.
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Don't trip. plenty of people are overweight. And there are hell of a lot heavier people than you getting accepted to medical school daily. 215 and 6ft isn't anything.

Don't feed into the neuroticism of premeds worries

Dress how one should dress in a professional interview and you will be fine. No one will think twice
 
Most important is your personality and how you handle yourself in an interview.

Make sure you can get your suit tailored. Good tailors can actually slim your appearance with the right cut if you're embarrassed about showing your weight. However, this won't really matter as much as how you present yourself at your interview.
 
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There are 2 very large individuals in my class (probably categorized as obese). I wouldn't worry about it.
 
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My cousin is overweight and got accepted at several schools.
 
Thanks everyone for the support! I guess I should not worry then. 🙂 I very much appreciate your answers.
 
Dude remember what got you those interviews (grades, MCAT score, extra curic, etc...., not your weight, what matters is how you present yourself at your interviews. You'll do fine, good luck man
 
I'm 5'11" (and a 1/2" lol) and 260lbs. Not gonna lie, being fat was something that weighed heavily (pun intended lol) on my mind during my interviews. But trust me, no one cares if you're fat so long as you do not look like a slob.

So... dress well and own it. Make sure that the suit that you wear FITS WELL. Don't do something stupid like try to wear a suit that is too large or too small in a futile attempt to look slim. My shoulders and chest are really broad which means that I need a large suit jacket. Large suit jackets have long sleeves... but I'm fairly short... So I have to have the sleeves tailored so that they do not hang down to my knuckles. GET YOUR SUIT TAILORED TO FIT WELL!

Basically, just don't look like a SLOB and exude CONFIDENCE. Sit up straight, have a firm handshake, look people in the eye, etc.
 
I have interviewed and accepted obese (and even morbidly obese) interviewees, so just be yourself.

A good chunk of America looks exactly like you, and as such, will be more willing to listen to you as their clinician.

Good luck!


dushash said:
Hi guys,
hope you are all doing fine. I was just wondering about any tips for a fat guy to dress appropriately for an interview. I'm 6ft tall, but 215lbs, I'm fat, especially around belly. I'm something in between of Jonah Hill and Seth Rogen (when they were fat). I used to be 185lbs, but for the last year I was under stress (loss of my father) and I just got fat. I know it's still no excuse and I am already working out and dieting to get in shape, but it will take at least 6-8 months. I am not sure how fat guys are looked at on interview, but I suspect not favorably (except those who have a legit disease - which I don't) and I was thinking to at least try to dress up in something that will at least make me look less fat.
It's a silly question to many of you, but please, don't mock. Instead some good advise or tip from those of you who are in same situation would be really appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
I once interviewed a severely obese guy for a psych position. He looked like he was having an MI the whole time. So if you appear healthy enough to survive then I don't see a problem, but you should be ready to discuss health if it gets brought up in a nice way. Such as, how would you counsel someone with diabetes on the importance of diet and exercise?
 
6' 215 lbs doesn't sound bad at all - we have classmates and instructors larger than that (I'm 6'2 & the same weight as ya) - just be yourself and don't worry too much about it. If you're worried about sweating just bring a handkerchief or freshen up at the bathroom. Good luck!
 
As others have said, relax and be yourself, but I do HIGHLY recommend you get your suit tailored (regardless of your weight - this goes for everyone!).

I good tailoring job can make a $100 suit look like $1000. Spend the few bucks to get it tailored, a bespoken suit is a thing of beauty.
 
Best of luck to you and hope you get into a healthy weight range for your own health 🙂
 
I'm 6'0" and 215 and a chick... Definitely wouldn't call myself fat as I play basketball, volleyball, football and run/lift consistently... Really doubt you're "fat" although someone who weighs 215 and all muscle looks different than someone with no muscle definition.

I'm sure you're just self conscious because of your weight gain. I've gained weight and am self conscious even though I get called thin on a weekly basis lol
 
I thought this was a troll post..... but I can see why you were concern. Wearing a black suit will help you look slimmer.
 
I really appreciate everyone's responses. It's not a troll post and I certainly didn't wanted to stir up this sensitive issue. I agree that 6ft and 215lbs as many of you pointed out could look different depending on composition of those 215lbs. This could range anywhere from very fit lean person to very chubby one (and I'm very close to that end of spectrum). However, your answers really gave me a sense of reality and I am more confident now that it won't be an issue at all during an interview. Please don't take anything personally, I didn't intended to offend anyone.
Again, thank you guys and gals for your help and support in this matter.

P.S. Tailored suit is a very helpful advise! I'm going to do that. Previously I only saw it in Godfather movies where everyone was in tailored suits, but I guess time has come for a D.O. applicant to try it out. 🙂
 
Tailored suits in the professional world is a must. Not only will the suit actually fit your body, but you'll also look good and exude confidence.
 
Own what you're working with! See a tailor... a good one can work wonders. Make sure your suit is not baggy as this makes everyone look larger.
 
Beware of where you go if you planned on getting a suit tailored. ALWAYS find the ones with the best reviews and cost.

I got my suits tailored-- around the axillary regions, cuffs, and hemmed my pants.

I didnt know better and was charged for $128 at a fancy place.
After researching, I got another suit tailored, at a different place, with all the same alterations for just $55.
 
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