There are a lot of things you can do to help improve your chances of finding a job in marketing, but you probably never thought that your weight would be a factor.

A new study by the Wall Street Journal indicates that executives with higher BMI’s are perceived as less effective leaders in the workplace. While it may sound discriminatory, hiring managers are certainly paying attention to your waste-line in your job interviews, so if you’re getting ready to look for a new job, it might be time to start hitting the gym.

Why would someone rather hire a skinny person than a fat one?

First of all, I’m not a skinny guy. Never have been – even when I ran every day and did half marathons. But, I try to maintain a respectable physique, and nobody would call me “fat.” Even though it’s technically frowned upon to pass on a job candidate just for being overweight, hiring managers aren’t necessarily unjustified in looking for physical fitness in their candidates. Some of the benefits for hiring in-shape employees include:

• Lower health-care costs - Let’s get down to brass tacks. It costs less to insure someone who is in good physical health than someone who is at high risk for diabetese, heart attack, or stroke. These serious health problems also lead to missed days of work, and that’s never a good thing for employers.
  
• Higher energy levels – People who work out – even minimally – can experience a 20%+ rise in their energy levels. While being slim doesn’t necessarily indicate that you exercise regularly (some people just have a lucky metabolism), it is usually a good sign. If your job demands standing for long periods, being in shape may be a necessity.
• Increased confidence – A healthy self-image leads to increased confidence. While not every overweight person has low self-esteem, people who lose weight tend to gain confidence. This self-belief can spell the difference between a successful interview or a lackluster performance.
• Perception of self-control – Interviewers tend to perceive people who are overweight as lacking self-control. Admittedly, this is a narrow perception of people, but in the interviewees position, you probably won’t be able to change the hiring manager’s mind.
• Lower levels of depression – Depression and weight-gain are linked in a bit of a chicken and egg way. Depressed people tend to put on pounds, and people who are overweight tend to be more prone to depression. While companies can’t fire depressed workers, that doesn’t mean they won’t avoid the issue by choosing to not hire them in the first place.

Obviously, there are many benefits to maintaining a healthy weight: longer life expectancy, lower chance of disease, higher energy levels, etc., but it looks like it might be especially important to the job seekers out there. The good news is that for most people who are overweight, even small changes in their daily routine can lead to better health. Slow and steady is the best method, so take a little time to get active today!