Does Bodybuilders look "unprofessional"?

[Flier]

We have an image of how a stereotype professional should look like. Right?

Take a professional within medicine, law or finances.
An obese doctor, that can´t take care of his own health Do u feel good him operating on u, or du you prefer him to be of the slender type?

An attorney with a tattoo sticking up a little from his collar, or ear piercings....would u rather the attorney representing u look square?

What about a D-bol bloated "meathead"? Does he also project an unprofessional image?

Health projects success. But when do we cross the line to look unprofessional?

My personal experience:
I have several earpiercings. At an interview I swear the dude was staring at my ear, didn´t get the job. (for several reasons)

I have a big lats, so my arms stick out, and my biceps is a little tight, so my arms are always a little bent, so I kinda gotta hold something in my hand, or hands in my pocket (like in my Avy), or else I look funny, especially in a suit. This my GF pointed out.

I´m doing finances now, and have clients.
Seeing a potential new client, my ex-GF which is a lawyer, stopped me as I was leaving the house, and said I look very unprofessional because my muscles was showing, and I needed to put on a more "proper" shirt.

A good friend of mine and client, who is going to introduce me to some of his partners, told me my bloodveins and muscles make me look unprofessional.

I´ve been practicing walking with my arms close to my body, with straight arms, but I look stiff and funny...lol

[DCI]

I dunno, I'm a salesman and no one has said anything about the size of me. I wear sometimes shirts that aren't meant to be fitted for normal people but my arms, shoulders and chest fill them out. Never got any unprofessional looks about it at all only ever questions asking me did I ever play rugby I have colleyflower ears from playing it so they also raise the question.

Never got any grief from my boss etc about it so I'd say it doesn't matter. All I noticed is that people remember you better which is a good thing imo builds up a relationship with them. I wouldn't be worried about it people only says it unprofessional because they do not understand it etc.

[Swifto]

First appearances mean an awful lot in this world I am afraid, not matter what profession you are in.

When working or during important meetings, you wont find me in anything other than a suit with a shirt and tie if needed. No arms, veins, tattoo's showing.

If I had a job interview, I'd take a piercing out if I had one showing.

[Flier]

I dunno, I'm a salesman and no one has said anything about the size of me. I wear sometimes shirts that aren't meant to be fitted for normal people but my arms, shoulders and chest fill them out. Never got any unprofessional looks about it at all only ever questions asking me did I ever play rugby I have colleyflower ears from playing it so they also raise the question.

Never got any grief from my boss etc about it so I'd say it doesn't matter. All I noticed is that people remember you better which is a good thing imo builds up a relationship with them. I wouldn't be worried about it people only says it unprofessional because they do not understand it etc.

I think that´s a good point. Maybe "in the old days" BB´s did nothing but lift, and knew nothing else. Today, BB´rs are in many walks of life.

First appearances mean an awful lot in this world I am afraid, not matter what profession you are in.

When working or during important meetings, you wont find me in anything other than a suit with a shirt and tie if needed. No arms, veins, tattoo's showing.

If I had a job interview, I'd take a piercing out if I had one showing.

So what you are saying is, u cover your veins/muscles the same way, and for the same reason u cover your Tatts.
Because for some, and in some setting, being muscled projects an unwanted first impression.

Btw. I had my art out of my ear, but the holes were showing. Hardly noticeable anymore though, as I stopped wearing.

[DCI]

I wouldn't wear a short sleeved shirt for a job interview etc as that just doesn't give the right impression. Sometimes you have to think like a job interviewer remember they are judging you for only a short period of time so you have to make a lasting but good impression imo. Wear a good watch if you have one and a decent suit.

[Swifto]

So what you are saying is, u cover your veins/muscles the same way, and for the same reason u cover your Tatts.
Because for some, and in some setting, being muscled projects an unwanted first impression.

Btw. I had my art out of my ear, but the holes were showing. Hardly noticeable anymore though, as I stopped wearing.

Yes. I'd wear a long sleeve shirt whatever the weather and if you have too, roll you sleeves up.

In some settings, looking large having muscles, tattoo's is the opposite, like being a doorman.

I think it causes intimidation (muscle, tattoo's, excessive piercings) and that is what you dont always want. You should suit your setting IMHO. Excuse the pun.

Do you think a frail old 85year old woman answering her door to a stranger is NOT going to be intimidated by a 240lbs man wearing a short sleeve shirt with muscles, veins and tatoo's showing? But if you appeared in a suit, all covered up with little to nothing visible she will feel more comfortable.

A lot of people find larger people and muscles intimidating and that can be very counterproductive I think, most of the time.

[Flier]

I wouldn't wear a short sleeved shirt for a job interview etc as that just doesn't give the right impression. Sometimes you have to think like a job interviewer remember they are judging you for only a short period of time so you have to make a lasting but good impression imo. Wear a good watch if you have one and a decent suit.

I agree.
But I´ve never had a decent suit; until now.
Only had some oversized dorky looking suits, that I have to wear at some functions like church events etc.
I hate suits...lol
But bought a nice suit last year in the US. But then I went to tailor, and overdid it. I tailored to an exact fit. Problem is, I´m 20lbs heavier now, and I look completely ridiculous in it.
Got myself a nice watch last year too though. First nice watch I ever bought. Love it.

[Standby]

you should just show up like you are in your avi

[terraj]

We have an image of how a stereotype professional should look like. Right?

Take a professional within medicine, law or finances.
An obese doctor, that can´t take care of his own health Do u feel good him operating on u, or du you prefer him to be of the slender type?

An attorney with a tattoo sticking up a little from his collar, or ear piercings....would u rather the attorney representing u look square?

What about a D-bol bloated "meathead"? Does he also project an unprofessional image?

Health projects success. But when do we cross the line to look unprofessional?

My personal experience:
I have several earpiercings. At an interview I swear the dude was staring at my ear, didn´t get the job. (for several reasons)

I have a big lats, so my arms stick out, and my biceps is a little tight, so my arms are always a little bent, so I kinda gotta hold something in my hand, or hands in my pocket (like in my Avy), or else I look funny, especially in a suit. This my GF pointed out.

I´m doing finances now, and have clients.
Seeing a potential new client, my ex-GF which is a lawyer, stopped me as I was leaving the house, and said I look very unprofessional because my muscles was showing, and I needed to put on a more "proper" shirt.

A good friend of mine and client, who is going to introduce me to some of his partners, told me my bloodveins and muscles make me look unprofessional.

I´ve been practicing walking with my arms close to my body, with straight arms, but I look stiff and funny...lol

I thought that you had stated that you were a full time sole trader?

[Flier]

you should just show up like you are in your avi

Lol...with my hands in my pocket. Cause out of my pockets, I look like a monkey.

[Flier]

I thought that you had stated that you were a full time sole trader?

What is that?

[terraj]

Means that you make your living trading the market for yourself.

BTW, I have the same lat issue

[Flier]

Means that you make your living trading the market for yourself.

BTW, I have the same lat issue

Ah....yes I do.
But I also have a handful of clients.
I did really well for myself, then a friend wanted in, so I started trading for him, then another, then a friend of a friend, and so on.
I don´t advertise, or work for a firm. It´s just me.

Lol...yes the lat. I stopped lat pulls behind neck, and have down prioritized back in general. I would look ridiculous if I kept at it.
On the flip side, I´m struggling with chest. Look like a schoolboy.

[LGM]

A lot of people find larger people and muscles intimidating and that can be very counterproductive I think, most of the time.

I've found that even when I wasn't lifting heavy or had a barrel chest and shoulders, that my size was deemed intimidating. I've had to make it a point to smile and be almost overly friendly so people in a "professional" setting wouldn't be intimidated.

[terraj]

I've found that even when I wasn't lifting heavy or had a barrel chest and shoulders, that my size was deemed intimidating. I've had to make it a point to smile and be almost overly friendly so people in a "professional" setting wouldn't be intimidated.

This is key, the smile is a must. Bodybuilders are fine, but the bodybuilder attitude or expected attitude will stink you.

[kalspic]

dude just work at the airport carrying suit cases. its natrual for your stance anyways

[oscarjones]

If you have confidence and know more than your clients. Than you are set. Anyone trying to downplay you is just jealous. Hold your body language in an open position, everything else should just come naturally!

[Shol'va]

First Timer 42 if you still look basically like you do in your present avi then there should be no issue at all. Just don't go wearing a tank top. If the guy hiring is jealous then you can't help that. If he is gay you can't help that either but at least if he is gay you will be hired. lol

[Twist]

Being young and dabbling in the professional fields, I have thought about this a lot. I have come to the following conclusion:
It is impossible to guess what a job interviewer/client etc will deem "professional" so it's best to not even try. I believe that your whole game should be neutral. Let what should stand out stand out, and what you are unsure about cover/blend in. Your client could think muscles are cool and actually respect you for that. However don't bother trying to guess this. Just blend in and try not to be ruled out or put into any specific category before you are in. Once you understand the environment then you can choose to pull back the layers. Stay neutral or positive, don't let yourself be categorized.

[Ernst]

I am expected to dress nicely for work. One customer did joke to my boss that I looked more like a bodyguard than a maitre'd, but that's about it. I am short, which I think helps me a lot in not looking "too big" or intimidating to people. You should get custom suits IMO if you're even just somewhat built, which I assume applies to most everyone here. I'm far from huge and still needed a custom fit to avoid resorting to poor-fitting suit separates. Nothing you can get OTR/RTW is made for gym rats. Even button-up dress shirts can be made for not too much. Do yourself a favor and avoid all the extra billowing material around the waist that comes with the larger shirt sizes you're forced into.

[baseline_9]

Bodybuilders do probably fall into a category the same as skin heads, tattoos and piercing's...

If I was to interview someone for a job and a guy who was clearly into BB came in that would certainly intrest me...

Why?

Dedicated

Driven

Hard worker

On time

Precise


These are all things that I think of when I think what a BB must be like to succeed... It's just a shame that most employers will not respect this unless they too are into BB

[Lfs2shrt2bsml]

just dont walk in shake hands and hit a most muscular, followed by a front double...(most awkward interview of my life)

[Flier]

dude just work at the airport carrying suit cases. its natrual for your stance anyways

Lmao....After a while, the bags would actually straighten my arms.

First Timer 42 if you still look basically like you do in your present avi then there should be no issue at all. Just don't go wearing a tank top. If the guy hiring is jealous then you can't help that. If he is gay you can't help that either but at least if he is gay you will be hired. lol

Basically, I´m 20lbs heavier....but loosing it in PCT now
If he´s gay, I´ll get hired! I wish the chicks would stare and approach me as aggressively as gays do...lol Seems like when I walk past the gay bar on Ocean Dr. (Palace Grill), I can have my pick...lol

Being young and dabbling in the professional fields, I have thought about this a lot. I have come to the following conclusion:
It is impossible to guess what a job interviewer/client etc will deem "professional" so it's best to not even try. I believe that your whole game should be neutral. Let what should stand out stand out, and what you are unsure about cover/blend in. Your client could think muscles are cool and actually respect you for that. However don't bother trying to guess this. Just blend in and try not to be ruled out or put into any specific category before you are in. Once you understand the environment then you can choose to pull back the layers. Stay neutral or positive, don't let yourself be categorized.

Well said

I am expected to dress nicely for work. One customer did joke to my boss that I looked more like a bodyguard than a maitre'd, but that's about it. I am short, which I think helps me a lot in not looking "too big" or intimidating to people. You should get custom suits IMO if you're even just somewhat built, which I assume applies to most everyone here. I'm far from huge and still needed a custom fit to avoid resorting to poor-fitting suit separates. Nothing you can get OTR/RTW is made for gym rats. Even button-up dress shirts can be made for not too much. Do yourself a favor and avoid all the extra billowing material around the waist that comes with the larger shirt sizes you're forced into.

Dude, that´s me in a nutshell. I´ve always been a casual dresser, and a poor one. (For years I got my clothes at Target, and Blue Navy. Shirt is shirt, pants is pants) And I´ve gotten many comments my shirts look like tents. It´s reflecting that I´ve never had a job where I have to dress nice. But last year I took all of my shirts, like 30 (Bought a bunch of nice ones at Marshalls), and had them all tailored to a perfect fit. Actually I overdid it, because when I sat down, the shirts were pulling on the buttons, making openings between the buttons. Today, 20lbs heavier, none of the shirts fit...lol. I seriously don´t have 1 shirt to wear, so I´m in T-shirts. Back to my true self. XXL T-shirt, Kaki shorts, and sandals..lol

Bodybuilders do probably fall into a category the same as skin heads, tattoos and piercing's...

If I was to interview someone for a job and a guy who was clearly into BB came in that would certainly intrest me...

Why?

Dedicated

Driven

Hard worker

On time

Precise


These are all things that I think of when I think what a BB must be like to succeed... It's just a shame that most employers will not respect this unless they too are into BB

That is my perception too, to a large portion of the population anyway.
Even though a piercing takes minutes, Tattoo a few hours, and BB....years, sometimes lifetime dedication.

just dont walk in shake hands and hit a most muscular, followed by a front double...(most awkward interview of my life)

Hahaha...are u serious, u didn´t do that?



Sound like u all have the same experience.
I´m just puny compared to some of u guys, and I could probably look "normal" with the right fitted clothes, if I wanted to spend the money.
For some of u guys though, there is no hiding....lol

Weird, we love to pull our shirt off on the beach and by the pool..etc. But then hide it in other settings, maybe in a way, to be diplomatic to other untrained males

[frytlon]

I've been in the corporate life all my life, and I can assure you that tats and muscles should NOT be visible if you wish to advance, or even get hired, for that matter. It is OK to look cut in clothes, and may even be a plus. But showing off bulk and tats/piercing is definitely not for the boardroom.

[D7M]

I've experience this ALOT in my profession (Uni professor). And to this day, I still wear baggy shirts to work to hide my size. And never short sleeves. All the other people I work with are fat, lazy, out of shape academics. They look at me like I'm some sort of weirdo when, at faculty meetings, I whip out my tupper-ware full of chicken and sweet potatoes instead of pizza from the caf. It's actually really annoying.

[terraj]

I've experience this ALOT in my profession (Uni professor). And to this day, I still wear baggy shirts to work to hide my size. And never short sleeves. All the other people I work with are fat, lazy, out of shape academics. They look at me like I'm some sort of weirdo when, at faculty meetings, I whip out my tupper-ware full of chicken and sweet potatoes instead of pizza from the caf. It's actually really annoying.

Off topic, sorry.

You see this flick yet professor "college conspiracy"?

[calgarian]

I am in IT . We are suppose to be weird but girls in accounting always take time to touch and feel my biceps ..... hey no complains there....

[D7M]

Off topic, sorry.

You see this flick yet professor "college conspiracy"?

Haven't even heard of it, but I'll check it out.

[gixxerboy1]

if anyone dresses inappropriately for the circumstance or clothes dont fit them properly they are going to look unprofessional.

I get all my shirts tailored

[BG]

I'm not in the prof business end , I'm in the building trades. Here the guys do take it into consideration, I know it because of the juicehead stereo type. I'm sure they are worried abiotic I will get along with other guys or what people will think when I show up for a service call. I actualy started to drop some size last year because I was tired of this type of bullshit. Many people don't know the difference between a body builder and a juice head here in NY because there is so many of both. I missed being big but hate that every where you go people ask the dumbass questions that go alone with have some decent size.

[Times Roman]

We have an image of how a stereotype professional should look like. Right?

Take a professional within medicine, law or finances.
An obese doctor, that can´t take care of his own health Do u feel good him operating on u, or du you prefer him to be of the slender type?

An attorney with a tattoo sticking up a little from his collar, or ear piercings....would u rather the attorney representing u look square?

What about a D-bol bloated "meathead"? Does he also project an unprofessional image?

Health projects success. But when do we cross the line to look unprofessional?

My personal experience:
I have several earpiercings. At an interview I swear the dude was staring at my ear, didn´t get the job. (for several reasons)

I have a big lats, so my arms stick out, and my biceps is a little tight, so my arms are always a little bent, so I kinda gotta hold something in my hand, or hands in my pocket (like in my Avy), or else I look funny, especially in a suit. This my GF pointed out.

I´m doing finances now, and have clients.
Seeing a potential new client, my ex-GF which is a lawyer, stopped me as I was leaving the house, and said I look very unprofessional because my muscles was showing, and I needed to put on a more "proper" shirt.

A good friend of mine and client, who is going to introduce me to some of his partners, told me my bloodveins and muscles make me look unprofessional.

I´ve been practicing walking with my arms close to my body, with straight arms, but I look stiff and funny...lol

I agree with your GF. Everything else being equal, a muscular guy does NOT look unprofessional. But if you are going to hold yourself out in a professional capacity, why would you not wear a white long sleeve shirt and a tie?

If you want to be professional, from the view point of others, you need to look professional. Having your vascular arms popping out some short sleeve shirt doesn't cut it.

[RaginCajun]

i believe that first impression is everything! how you look, dress, walk, talk, act, etc....all have determinations in one being hired, or being accepted by other individuals. i see what yall are saying about the stereotype and it sucks that is how it is. i like what baseline said about BBers, dedication, commitment, hard worker, on time, all fine qualities that people want when looking to fill a position.

[Times Roman]

let me tell you something. A few years ago, I was recruited as a Division Controller for a manufacturing company. In the office, I was Mr. GQ.... expensive suit and tie, spit shined shoes, the whole route. My productivity and management were exactly what they were looking for. The "problem" was that I came to work on my harley, all dressed out in leathers. I 'd quickly change in the parking lot, and by the time I walked through the door, you'd never knew how I came to work....

....but they didn't like the idea of their Division Controller living the life, so they ended up getting rid of me.

My point is this... for many people, your image is sometimes MORE important than what you do. So why handicap yourself by not dressing professional.

Trust me.... I had to learn this lesson the hard way....

[SlimmerMe]

Hint: If interviewing with a female please give her a real handshake. A nice slightly firm handshake.

[DCI]

I agree.
But I´ve never had a decent suit; until now.
Only had some oversized dorky looking suits, that I have to wear at some functions like church events etc.
I hate suits...lol
But bought a nice suit last year in the US. But then I went to tailor, and overdid it. I tailored to an exact fit. Problem is, I´m 20lbs heavier now, and I look completely ridiculous in it.
Got myself a nice watch last year too though. First nice watch I ever bought. Love it.

Honestly it looks great having a decent suit and watch for interviews makes you more professional looking and I know it shouldn't be judged on that but people are very fickle etc. So letting them sus you out while you are getting seated etc helps for you to win them over. I only have one decent watch too bought it on a whim and to be honest it is the best thing I have ever bought.

I have a cheapish suit for work as I go through about 3 of them a year as they get worn fairly fast etc.

This is key, the smile is a must. Bodybuilders are fine, but the bodybuilder attitude or expected attitude will stink you.

Yep, be nice to people and it works out better for you in the long run but be also firm and have some form of answer for them can't let people walk all over you but as you probably know pick and choose when to shout and when to be quiet lol.

I am in IT . We are suppose to be weird but girls in accounting always take time to touch and feel my biceps ..... hey no complains there....

Lol, I have that with women managers for some reason they always find a way of touching my arms too. Women be dirty.

[calgarian]

Honestly it looks great having a decent suit and watch for interviews makes you more professional looking and I know it shouldn't be judged on that but people are very fickle etc. So letting them sus you out while you are getting seated etc helps for you to win them over. I only have one decent watch too bought it on a whim and to be honest it is the best thing I have ever bought.

I have a cheapish suit for work as I go through about 3 of them a year as they get worn fairly fast etc.



Yep, be nice to people and it works out better for you in the long run but be also firm and have some form of answer for them can't let people walk all over you but as you probably know pick and choose when to shout and when to be quiet lol.



Lol, I have that with women managers for some reason they always find a way of touching my arms too. Women be dirty.

all the accounting girls r nerdy(not ugly just nerdy) still no complains I wanna have woman manager...oh wait i did never mind....

[DCI]

Lol, these are managers of the shops I call into. Some are hot and well others, you wouldn't get up on em to get over a wall.

[gixxerboy1]

i walk into the office for an interview and do 1 arm pushups

[DCI]

i walk into the office for an interview and do 1 arm pushups

With your knob obviously cos anything would only be showing off

[terraj]

let me tell you something. A few years ago, I was recruited as a Division Controller for a manufacturing company. In the office, I was Mr. GQ.... expensive suit and tie, spit shined shoes, the whole route. My productivity and management were exactly what they were looking for. The "problem" was that I came to work on my harley, all dressed out in leathers. I 'd quickly change in the parking lot, and by the time I walked through the door, you'd never knew how I came to work....

....but they didn't like the idea of their Division Controller living the life, so they ended up getting rid of me.

My point is this... for many people, your image is sometimes MORE important than what you do. So why handicap yourself by not dressing professional.

Trust me.... I had to learn this lesson the hard way....

You seem to have a lot of issues with previous employers...just saying