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I'm so pissed. I just wasted 3 hours and two trips in gas trying to get a job at fry's, just to have them say at the end, "Btw, we have a strict dress code, so I hope you wont mind cutting your hair."
!#@$(@#$%@# I will repeat the list of profanities I said after leaving that dump. I'm so annoyed. I knew in the past that my hair has caused a lot of problems in my previous employment ventures, but I'm starting to realize that the impact is waaaaayy bigger than I imagined.
I wont cut it though. I don't give a SHoe. I've just wasted too much time interviewing for jobs that involve the public or some dicriminating corporation. Can anyone recommend a job I should seek?
factory work,it usally pays better than flipping burgers
and most factorys don't worry what a person looks like
I work in a factory making doors and the only dress code is that you have to wear cloths and if you have long hair
to tie it up (pony tail) soit does not get caught in moving
machines
I don't think there really is a job that by itself could discriminate long-hairs, since there are many things you can do to temporarily hide the real amount of hair you actually have and keep it out of danger. It's more based on your work's social environment, your boss, and a number of preconceptions your employer might have against long-haired men.
Having good luck helps a lot...my recent employer, for example, basically preferred long hair on men instead of short, probably because of his rock/metal history and predisposition, and as you get to know people on your workplace it makes it more easier for them to accept you as a long-hair.
Look, long hair on men will always be prominent in the society, and what impression you make usually depends on people around you. Here, just three weeks ago I was attacked by a pack of vandals, receiving few blows to my jaw and back, and while being dazed I could tell they swore on my long hair. Luckily, damage wasn't permanent and I managed to get away with all the teeth, hair and limbs counted.
Still, try to look as much neat and official as possible when you're having a job conversation, and make sure you dress in such a manner that hair easily blends with the rest of your clothing.
Hope you would find a job soon... keep trying!
I agree!! And it never occurred to me before to pick clothing that would blend in with the color of your hair, --- GREAT idea!!!
Neat, clean, and "understated" to me sums up how I've preferred presenting myself upon a first professional meeting of any kind. In so many conservative people's minds, long hair = "rebel" (trouble), "show-off" (self-centeredness), "anti-establishment" (difficulty for Management), someone who's a "maverick" (makes up his own rules, so won't listen to others), etc...
In an interview, if everything about me that's visually unimportant to me (like clothes) is as "conservative"- looking as possible, then I've just succeeded at minimizing the fact that my hair is very long. (Notice I didn't say I was going to completely *hide* my hair; just "minimize" its noticeability...) For those narrow minds who have emotional reactions against seeing and/or hiring longhairs in their company, doing this removes enough of the mental blocks to at least have a fair chance to have a successful interview. For me personally, I don't mind compromising things like not wearing my earring to work, or dressing in a certain requested way, --- or even WEARING my hair in a certain preferred way by a boss or supervisor. But, under NO circumstances do I ever intend on compromisng my hair LENGTH... *that*, the boss is not allowed to touch!!!!
- Ken
thanks for the words of support. That's really the thing that pissed me off about this interview with fry's. I went in the first time and had a pre-interview, the guy told me to come back in formal wear, and I came back in a tie and dress shirt, very conservative and after waiting about 30 minutes for the second interviewer to come, the same guy that first interviewed me came out and said "oh yeah, by the way we have a strict dress code so I hope you wouldn't mind cutting your hair."
I said "as a matter of fact I do mind, I wish you would have told me that before I wasted all my time and energy coming back here." He just replied saying "I didn't even know you had a pony tail." Which made me even madder that they were jerking me off about my hair. He probably didn't notice it because I had it tied in a ball so it would look neat. But just the fact that he didn't notice at first and then just went by some stupid bullshit protocol made me so mad. But I'm sure something will come along.. I hope. Otherwise pretty soon I really am gonna look like a hippy living in my car.
I'm assuming this is the Fry's electronics retail chain. I'm surprised they'd care. sometimes I think the U.S. is going through the 1950s all over again.
More important than just a job to recommend for you, might be the question you may want to ask yourself, "What CAREER-direction might be best for me?"
I've had this problem myself over the years (too long a story to go into here...). Generally-speaking, though, whoever is interviewing you, if they are NOT prejudiced against a guy's hair length... they WILL be legitimately prejudiced against you if you just want "any old job", --- meaning, you might possibly come across to them as having no real interest in the type of work or the company you're applying to; but instead, are really only interested in just a paycheck. Being passionate, knowledgeable (not just schooling, --- although that helps), and keenly interested in the work will make an impact during an interview. Just wanting "a job" will not.
- Ken in San Francisco
I actually recently got a B.A in art and have some skills.. I'm just in a position where I'm gonna get kick out of where I live in the next couple weeks so I needed something steady NOW. But screw it, I just refuse to compromise myself for some crappy job. Maybe something in the art field will come up.. I think I will focus more energy in that direction. Thanks for your support.
Im shocked that they would do that. i have a friend who works at fry's in antioch and he has hair the same length as mine. hes never had a problem with it at work. I also have a friend whos a waiter and a resturant manager who have had no problems with those jobs. i think they should give the employees a chance to prove that they can work. i hope you find some place that will accept how ou look.
I'm a bit shocked too. I live in southern cali and I would think it would be pretty liberal around here, but it really comes down to corporations and their filters. They don't care about exceptions, just as long as you pass their filter.
wow that's a lot to go through for your own freedom of identity. Much respect for that. I wont compromise no matter how bad things get. I have too much integrity, or perhaps I'm just too stubborn to let someone else tell me how to look. Thanks for the words of support.
This is an example of how people with their own agendas and prejudices can F over someone, regardless of whether or not there is a company policy or what the policy says.
easy buddy... non of that there 'SHoe' language now ya'hear!
A lot of times I really think it depends on the people, not the job, as well as demographics. For instance, if you tried to get that exact same job at Fry's in Vermont or New hampshire you probably would have. But other jobs you wouldn't... and so on. Many times it's the people who run the business who make the final say. Fry's may or may not have a 'strict dress code' but it doesn't matter, because it's the Manager/Owners decision too. It's kind of like trial and error... keep trying til you find the right place. Don't let people discourage you.
-Ardroth
Good point. They opened a Costco in San Francisco several years ago, and to get such a large store through the permit process, Costco committed to hiring the store's neighborhood youth. Then when recruiting, Costco tried to impose a dress code on applicants that required a look that no local youth would be caught dead with. Furor was loud. Costco relented.
Bill
I would agree with Adroth thoughts on dresscodes. Some bosses may be very strict with this while others are more liberal. Claiming a certain job area to more calm with longhairs than others would be false. Of course, you could look at statistics and maybe point out that there are less longhaired guys in well payed jobs than in lower paid ones. I think however this is more about character and how well you get along with the boss and your fellow employees. It may have a contributing effect, good or bad, on your relationships with them but in the long run it's more about how well you fit in the crew and that you are serious with your tasks. I have learned contacts with the right people usually make things happen so why not check with your friends or relatives? Maybe they know someone who works at some company who invite newcomers where they could add a good word for you.
I don't know what your hair looks like Ted so I don't know if you have long but natural ends. If that is the case cutting might just mean the management at Fry's wants blunt ends on their long haired employees. Both short hair and trim demands are descrimination but one might be a compromise you are willing to make.
Trips to Fry's are great for seeing long haired men but now that I think on it they are always customers and not the salespeople. Women seem to have any length though, one of the checkout clerks wears a braid reaching her upper thighs at my location. REI is another place with longhaired men and those include the sales staff. That might be a company you want to look into in your area.
Elizabeth
Try the computers field. No I don't mean typing on word. I mean fixing and and repairing computers, networks, etc. I almost got my A+ certification, you can then jump to other certifications.
Also you could try programming computers as well. Skilled technicians who show up on time everyday are rare for an employer, so As long as you are skilled, show up everyday ontime there shouldn't be any problem, also have a backup plan, if an employer tells you your job or your hair, and you don't have a savings, you could be screwed.
Ted, is "frys" a chain of restaurants that advertised fresh cut? If so there is one opening in my neighborhood. If you confirm this I will go in and beard them about discrimination and tell them I will never eat there and will tell everyone I know that they are discriminatory.
James Harrison
Asheville, NC
PS.
For what it is worth, I am president of the Western NC chapter of the NC affiliate of ACLu, and I will post this information on our list serve.
JH
PPS
Since there is another James on this board, I am going to change my posting name to "Think again."