New Year’s Resolutions

Most of us have made New Year’s Resolutions in years past. The most common resolution is to lose weight. So, we may buy exercise equipment, join the gym, or start a new diet. Soon the exercise equipment becomes an expensive clothes hanger, the gym thanks you for your business – and for not coming, and the new diet becomes one more attempt that goes by the wayside.

So, why am I, a Job Doctor, talking about New Year’s Resolutions?

Today, I want to help you be being politically incorrect and frank. I struggle with maintaining weight like most of you, so I am not trying to point out anyone. But the reality is that, despite federal law, it matters to hiring managers.

Is that fair? Yes and no. I used to have an employee who was obese. She was an incredible worker and highly intelligent. Would I hire her again? Absolutely! If I did not previously know her, would I hire her? Good question.

Let’s look at reasons why appearing physically out of shape or overweight might be a concern about your image and whether a hiring manager might see it as a disqualifier.

The company’s concerns include:

• Is the weight causing diabetes or other serious long term health issues that will result in higher medical insurance costs for the company?
• Could the weight cause more absenteeism?
• Is the weight causing a lower energy level?
• Does the weight distract from the image of the company for the position?

Since networking is the number one way of getting a referral into the hiring manager, would a trusted advisor risk his reputation by referring a potentially unhealthy candidate?

How many top executives do you see who are overweight? Would your chances for getting a job or promotion be enhanced by appearing trim and in good shape?

By now, many of you are protesting that this is illegal or not fair. In fact, many of us are such hard workers with high performance that we don’t take the time to exercise or eat healthy diets – because it takes time away from our work or family. Whoever said life was fair?

If you are looking for a job or promotion, I hope this may help motivate you to exercise and eat right. Don’t forget that this is not my strength either.

Since most jobs are only lasting 2-3 years, this may also be motivation to make the lifestyle changes permanent.

What other benefits can this bring?  How about:

• More personal energy, which often means more productivity
• Better personal health
• More optimism
• Higher self-esteem
• More attractive marital partners
• Longer life expectancy
• Better ability to play with children
• Others?

In today’s global economy, these forbidden topics are becoming a matter of survival and critical to helping you compete for jobs.

Join me for a New Year’s resolution to get in shape!