Worst interview

MissSarah1972

Acc72 wrote: »

What size would say is "fat" ?

Also, remember "vanity sizing" - clothes makers have been stretching sizes out over the past 4 decades as the population has been getting bigger.

eg. a woman who is a size 10 now would have had to buy size 14 clothes in 1975.

eg. A size 14 now is the equivalent of a size 18 in 1975.

By using the above scale, then somebody who is size 18 today would have been a size 22 in 1975.

This is not an attempt to be "fattist" (I could do with losing some weight myself), but as it is not helpful to label people as fat etc. then if only for health reasons it is equally unhelpful to deny if somebody is overweight ?

Over recent months we have seen a number of celebrities (Dawn French, Pauline Quuirk, Nigella Lawson, Lorraine Kelly etc.) who for years have said how they are happy with their size, however recently all have lost a large amount of weight and are smaller than they have ever been.

I never said she was fat the interviewer did!

You are very rarely the same size at say aged 45 as you were when you were 18 so sizing in the shops has little to do with it. So does weight as my mum is 5ft 6 tall and weighs 8st 9 but is a size 14 where my sister is 5ft 6 weighs 9 stone 3 and is a size 8-10. Weight and size and dress size has little to do with anything.

I think Pauline Quirk lost weight due to the fact that in 2009 she had to have a hip replacement so it was better for her to do so. These celebs you have listed are still 'fat' to a lot of people out there though.

oscarward

My worst interview was back in the 70's. I was working as a temporary controller for a job agency.

I had applied to competing job agency for a post and had an interview with the MD and a few others in a bar after work! I knew the MD vaguely and he was known as a bit of an oddball so it didn't seem too outlandish.

We got along famously but about half way through the experience it dawned on me that I wasn't being interviewed for myself but as an intelligence gathering exercise about my current boss. e.g. how many temps did he place per week etc. How many contracts did he have. etc.

It all went downhill after that and my then boss became a manager of a new branch of the competitors.

Acc72

MissSarah1972 wrote: »

I never said she was fat the interviewer did!

You are very rarely the same size at say aged 45 as you were when you were 18 so sizing in the shops has little to do with it.

You said that size "18, is not even fat".

The second point is irrelevant.

If you buy an item of clothing today that is size 18, then in 1975 that same item of clothing would have been classed as a size 22.

The point I was trying to make was that people going around saying others are fat is not helpful, however describing an overweight person as being not fat (possibly in an attempt to be nice) is not helpful either.

MissSarah1972

Acc72 wrote: »

You said that size "18, is not even fat".

The second point is irrelevant.

If you buy an item of clothing today that is size 18, then in 1975 that same item of clothing would have been classed as a size 22.

The point I was trying to make was that people going around saying others are fat is not helpful, however describing an overweight person as being not fat (possibly in an attempt to be nice) is not helpful either.

Fat or not fat there is no need to say it to someone at an interview.

What if you were ugly, short or blonde?

ktothema

MissSarah1972 wrote: »

Fat or not fat there is no need to say it to someone at an interview.

What if you were ugly, short or blonde?

I'm overweight but if someone told me in an interview I was too fat for a role I'd be inclined to tell them that it was ok, I don't normally work for people that ugly anyway.

bargainbetty

From the other side, for a moment, I had to interview people for a receptionist's job. These are genuine responses to the question 'Why do you think you would be a good receptionist for our company?'

'To be honest, I lied about that job on my CV and didn't think I'd get an interview, but I like talking on the phone, so I'll have a go.'

'Because I'm really outgoing, and um, I know how phones work, and um. Yeah. Those things.'

'Because I have an interest in becoming an accountant one day, and hope to learn from the professionals here.' (It isn't a firm of accountants.)

This one is phonetic - 'Befo' I ansa dat, I would lak to confirm da salary, cos what I saw written dahn looks lak a lot a moneeee. Is dat right, innit?'

Cue me wanting to bang my head on the desk until the shouty voices go away.

MissSarah1972

ktothema wrote: »

I'm overweight but if someone told me in an interview I was too fat for a role I'd be inclined to tell them that it was ok, I don't normally work for people that ugly anyway.

I was only using that as a comparision to someone stupdily saying anyone was fat, thin, short, tall, blonde or ugly and a number of other stupid things. Its just an opinion and not related to the job.

ktothema

MissSarah1972 wrote: »

I was only using that as a comparision to someone stupdily saying anyone was fat, thin, short, tall, blonde or ugly and a number of other stupid things. Its just an opinion and not related to the job.

I got that.

It's not like applying for anything supermodel related or anything. Some of the prettiest and nicely made up people I've seen on beauty counters could be considered fat by some. It's just a stupid thing to say to someone really.

cindyhove

Oh this thread has cheered me up no end! tears of laughter streaming down my face!! I am currently job hunting and HATE the interview process - I just don't seem to nail the jobs whatever I do or say.
Maybe there is something about literally falling into the interview and job....
:rotfl:

wingobins

I recently had an interview in a catholic school and was the only person to even turn up for a visit prior to this and was grilled in the interview with the head teacher, head of governors and the local priest! I had to explain why although my mum was catholic, why wasn't I and all about my childhood and what I got up to as a child! I explained how I totally respected other peoples beliefs and religions and had numerous qualifications for the job but needless to say....I didn't get the job because I was 'underqualified' enough! Don't think I'll be applying for any more catholic schools!