new thread
Hello
Do you think a professional career and long hair a good match? I work in an extremely conservative software development environment. We develop embedded software for defense sector. Most of the managerial stuff in my company are 50+ very formal looking males with past military experience.
I get to do presentations every once in a while, but although I think my long hair and business attire go well together, I notice critical looks on many of those guys' faces.
Would you consider long hair and slick black clothing as a part of the modern age IT industry, or should I go clean-cut and start wearing more traditional office cloths? Or should I even consider changing careers and become a game developer instead? ^_^
Tnx for your opinion
I really hate that term "Clean-Cut". They way I look at it. It's about attitude and not looks. ;-)
I work in the I.T. industry, and I would never think of cutting my hair. A lot of I.T. geeks have long hair. :-)
Here is my P.O.V. on jobs. Most of our lives are spent at work. I choose envorinment over pay any day. I am not going to work at a job where I feel like I am in a prison and unhappy.
ESDI
I'd say keep your ponytail and stuff and dont mind what people say or look at you. I doubt they will fire you over hair length if you have worked for them for a length of time, because it actually cost a lot of money to advertise, recruit, train, whatever for a new employee and it would be financial suicide to hire on a recurring basis. As for advancement opportunity, well if you show them that you are really good at what they do, then I dont think hair is going to be an issue, after all there are lots of other things people can be critical about other than hair.
Long hair is very IT friendly. Most IT jobs are open and welcome to longer hair so this shouldn't be an issue for you. If you are 'behind the scenes', programming and designing software for the company ,your hair should be fine and of no issue whatsoever. However, if you must attend meetings with clients and executives i would strongly suggest wearing a nice suit, being clean shaven, and tie your hair in a ponytail.
You sound much happier with videogame design (make some good ones for the PS3! :P), but at the same time you sound rather flimsy and unconnected to your jobs. You're going to change careers just like that? Nice.
But if you have the qualifications for both, I suggest you do whichever you feel happier with. I know game design certainly can be high-paying and even more highly enjoyable, and long hair would be the last of your worries there. As 80's_metal said, IT is really longhair-friendly. I know a guy that works in the tech department with a ponytail halfway down his back, and another one with shoulder-length hair.
Do you ponytail your hair during the presentations? Or, if it's long enough, put the tail in your shirt? Either of those would probably minimize harsh looks.
I've struggled and continue to struggle with the same question. Although I'm the owner/president of a company, I still have to deal with the rest of business world. We provide computer network support, Web design, professional services to attorneys and physicians. My long hair fits in well with the creative services in graphic design and computer networking, but not well when marketing to the professionals. Although to my surprise, I have run across an occassional long-haired attorney and physician.
Even without long hair, I look a little frightening (kept me out of a lot of fights when in school). I even had a couple of people ask me if I was with the mob. Add the long hair and I'm starting to frighten children.
I finally got my hair to the length that I wanted (although I would prefer to let it grow longer), but I'm afraid I'm leaning more toward having it cut so that I would mix well with the rest of the business world. BUT that is my scenario. I'm starting to do a little more marketing this year and I'm afraid when meeting face-to-face, I have to look like the rest of the business world.
That's my two cents. Any one want a penny back?
Tom
Dear Van,
The solution seems clear to me. You should ask for a raise. I do not kinow the culture of the organization, whether you fill out a form or if you are an independent consultant you can simply say that you are raising your fee.
If you do not have a better offer, they may call your bluff buyt that will take a long time. But if you really think they need you, then will likely not let you go. You could even p[ropagate this as a rumor at first that you aare considering leaving I. G. Farben and look into the offerings that are coming may way the private sector. If you do go, make sure you have patented some of your ideas so they will need to pay you evem though you do not have to report to work.
Find your own language. If you have the guts to ask for a raise, unless you are totally out to lunch, I think they will consider the possibility that you are worth far more than they had previously anticiap0ated.
James
A couple of things strike me.
1) You are already in the job, and no one is threatening your job. That, by itself, is a kind of affirmation.
2) You are surrounded by conserevative types, and their looks seem unwelcoming or hostile. It may very well be that what you are reading is "hostile" are really just confusion or even fear. This is where I think a man's self confidence comes into the picture. If you go in and do your job, do your presentations, dress professionally in the best sense for your setting (whatever that is, whether a suit, or whatever)then your own self-confidence will deal with their confusion/fear and even anger over your hair.
They will see you doing a good job, and that is what speaks in most work environments. If you are not dong a good job, then your hair becomes something to focus on.
I deal with the looks often enough. But, I also love what I do, and knnow that I am a good teacher. My students know that. Their parents know that. My school administators know that. My hair has never been an issue. STill, some other teachers, most often male, most often coaches who are much more conservative. When I can detect that the look is happening, all I have to do is speak. It could be a small interchange. I was coming inn from work during the dark days of winter, and the Marine ROTC commander was coming in--he in his camouflage and boots, I in my sweater and khakis--and hair down. It was a cold day. If you are not going to enjoy long hair on a cold day, when are you. He had the look. I broke the ice by speaking--cold day, when will spring be here, hey is that fire drill today? It became friendly. I don't think he will have the look anymore, though I am pretty sure he would still like to see me in a crew cut!
Robert
Maybe their short hair makes them look hostile!
It's true that some people think that long hair cannot look professional. I disagree. If you are well groomed and well dressed, you can make long hair look bussiness appropriate. For example, a well tailored suit with a slim cut looks sharp and sleekly masculine. Make sure your shoes and breifcase are made of good leather. Always keep your nails well groomed. If you wear your hair in a ponytail, style it so that it looks neat and attractive.
As far as clothes go, you can be traditional without looking dull. I love a man in a sharply tailored gray wool suit with a brilliant silk lining. Very sexy and subtle. And subversive!
Basicly, you have to pay attention to every detail and make your style reflect what you think are the positive qualities of a bussiness man: meticulousness, subtly, worldliness...
You don't have to go broke putting together a wordrobe, but do buy yourself things of good quality. People notice.
xxxooo,
Lipstick
A ponytail, perhaps even one slicked-back with something is definitely a much more under-control look that might go over better in a business environment. Definitely being clean-shaven, or if you have some kind of facial hair, having it well-trimmed is another necessity.
If you need an off-the-collar thing, you might try this:
http://gollan.pwaresearch.com/hp/bbbun.html
If you *really* wanna wear it down, though, keeping it clean, conditioned and cut well is a must. It has too look better than the ladies'. Maybe even try flatironing or blowdrying it if you're not aiming for super-long lengths and can trim it a little every six weeks or so to control any possible damage.
