new thread
I live in the UK and i think people on this forum are from the USA and correct me if i am wrong but maybe people are more open minded.
I am trying to get a job and when i hand in applications people do not call back or reply to them.
I am 16 and have good qualifications and i have good referals from my teachers.
I have long hair (down to my shoulders) and sadly i do not have a pic because my home computer broke.
It's not scruffy and i do wash it every day so what's the big deal?
Has having long hair ever stood in the way of any of you guys getting a career?
When you apply for a position; present your credentials and present yourself in a well groomed and dressed manner. Remember that a job interview is a two way street. You are also interviewing the employer and should they make a fuss over trivial prejudices such as hair length, you may choose not to work for them.
Best of Luck.....let us know how it goes.
Walter White Tail
Hi liam,
People do indeed hire people with long hair but I know how you feel and it's only natural considering that many employers prefer not to hire men with long hair. I myself landed a new job in my field a few months back and they asked in the interview if I would consider cutting it. I said something non commital like "I'll get back to you on that" planning on saying no but waiting for interview number two. In interview number two I said I would not cut it but tying it back in a tight onoy tail is how I normally wear it at work. They said ok to that. I will admit my situation is very different I have 25+ years experience that they wanted.(I'm a night manager in a 24 hour supermarket)
In addition I've a few friends in the UK and have been over about 8 or 9 times over the years and feel attitudes are much less judgemental concerning long hair. That's not to say there aren't any narrow minded employers or hiring managers in the UK but over all the situation is better for longhairs over there than over here. I'm sure as more people read your post they will have more to add including our many Brits on the board.
In closing I would say try and carry on and don't get too down about it many short hairs have a tough time getting jobs as
well. Also as you have good referals sooner or later you'll get something.
Good luck
Kevin
Concerning the UK I honestly don't know, which is worrying considering i'm moving there in 8 months. Switzerland is good, but that's probably not an option for you.
Are you studying for your A levels or have you decided to go for a job with your GCSEs? If so, are you looking for any particular type of job, or just anything you find?
I am doing A-Levels and do not worry, the UK is a great place and do not be put off.
I want to work in the firm 'Argos' and i would be working on the back so it's not the case that i am working in the public eye and they do not want someone with longer hair serving customers.
We'll see you in the UK in 8 months them!
Cheers,
John.B
Long hair acts as an idiot filter. It just takes a little longer to find a job. In the UK you should be protected by article 10 of the EU Human Rights Act (right to self expression) but that doesn't stop people who won't hire you and don't give a reason.
I agree with your description of long hair being, "an idiot filter", --- because if a prospective employer is going to not want to hire me solely based on a minor aspect of my exterior appearance, then that boss is going to prove to be a very shallow-minded person to work for!
I also agree with other comments, though, that some of the other guys said who replied, where they advised to tie the hair back and show up for an interview well-dressed and well-groomed. Whenever I've gone out on a job interview, I make it a point to not only look as neat & clean as possible; but, also to minimalize the fact that my hair is very long, by tying it in-place very securely and/or making the neatest, tightest braid possible. Showing up for an interview with loose long hair is something that even women don't do. To show up for an interview in a manner that's understated about my appearance seems only common sense to me. If I don't want to be judged by some potentially controversial aspect of how I look, I shouldn't "show off" or "advertise" those aspects, either. This would be true for other things like tatoos, peircings, etc., also.
My best to you, Liam!
- Ken in San Francisco
Fantastic description !! Hope you don't mind me adding it to my vocabulary ?
WWT
While your hair might be neat, how is the rest of your appearance and composure at these interviews?
--
Splat
Do not show up at the interview in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt especially a Marilyn Manson or other musical band t-shirt.
I would suggest something like a pinstripe suit or dress pants and a nice shirt and a good pair of polished black shoes. clip your fingernails and unless you have a beard it's advisable to be clean-shaven. slick the hair back into a ponytail. remove all visible piercings and if you have tattoos it's best to cover them. long sleeve shirts work best.
good luck!
Hi LIam,
As both Kevin.C and Elektros have commented you should not have any issues with getting a job in the UK and we are covered by good laws. Like you I live in the UK and never had issues and as long as you are presentable like you sat them no problem. So keep growing the hair.
I'm sure you will find the right job I know it's rude that employers don't even have to decency to write back to you like they used to.
What sort of job field are you looking to get into. I work in It myself and that's a longhair friendly occupation.
Let us know how you get on.
Cheers,
John.B
Is there an actual law that prohibits discrimination based on hair length?
There is a European Union law that prohibits discrimination based on self expression. It should cover hair length. I don't know of anywhere that has an employment law that mentions hair length as such, although Washington DC prohibits discrimination based on hair style.
Hi Liam!
I'm female but I thought I may be able to add on to what the other have said.
I am a small business owner and I recently hired a young man who is about your age. He has long hair that reaches a little past the middle of his back. For me, the length of his hair did not matter at all. I paid more attention to his personality and what he could bring to my business. Also, I paid attention to whether or not he could act like a professional, which was why the interview was done in two parts.
I was not impressed by what he was wearing though. He showed up in baggy jeans and was wearing several layers of shirts and hoodies. I did let it go because my partners feel that professional dress is not needed. Honestly, what he was wearing was the only area that he lost points in. He was polite, friendly, and genuinely interested in what we did.
From an employers point of view: make sure you dress nicely, be polite, don't slouch, and if you really want the job, make sure they know that you are interested. Don't go overboard but a little interest is a good thing.
And you mentioned that you don't get called back? I'm not sure about in the UK as I am in the US but I don't think calling to inquire would hurt. It shows that you are interested in the position.
I hoped that helped a little, I tried to answer this from an employers point of view.
-- Koko
actually in the US its more close minded.. US law says it is legal to discriminate against men with long hair.
YES! :( In my time I have received several call backs/job offers conditional on the butchering of my hair.
It's a mistake to think that, for example, the hippies originated in the US because it's more liberal. Actually, it was more likely a reaction against the US being so conservative.
However, in Washington DC discrimination based on hair style is prohibited, but probably nowhere else in the US.
You said that you want to work in Argos. I don't know where you live in the UK, but I have seen that one of the men who works in Dudley Argos has long hair.A lot of people with long hair have got jobs, so I don't see why it should be a problem.