new thread
Well, I study Information Technology at college, I like web programing and I'm good at it. I have a friend I've known for about eight years who is studying the same thing. But he is DBA guy.
Well, in this year he has had some very good jobs, with chubby pay checks. Me on the other side been working in the same crappy Call center calling people to refill medicine.
Now I've desperately been looking for a job that interests me, but with no success, my friend got me an interview for a very nice job. But they didn't like me. My appearance could have been a little better but I also don't have a lot of professional experience in web programing. I've talked to him about the matter and he suggests that maybe I should cut my hair. A lot of these companies have very strong prejudice about long haired ones. Specially in my country (Dominican Republic).
I've talked to another friend that has always given me good advice, and she suggests the same. She says I could go for a tight, clean low ponytail. But having really curly hair as I do, it always looks a little frizzy on the front.
I think I'll have to cut my hair to get a decent job. But just the idea makes me angry. I REALLY hate how I look with short hair.
Show the interviewers (or remind them) of Sun's CEO Jonathan Schwartz. That is of course if you can get your hair in a tail.
I've been in the Dominican Republic on a holiday a few years ago, but back then I had short hair so I'm not really sure...
Eitherway, before you make any decisions, make sure its not something else you're missing at the interviews. Always make sure to have your hair tied for the interview, and wear a suit. Suits make anyone looks professional.
Thanks for the suit Idea, It's really clever ^^
Wow, you've got some awesome hair!
I agree with derf26: make sure there isn't another issue causing the rejection. A lot of people are quick to say "oh, you didn't get the job? Must be the hair." It's a cop-out. Lot's of very talented people in high places have long hair, again, as derf26 showed.
Put together a nice portfolio, make sure your hair looks as neat as possible, wear a nice suit and tie, and act composed and professional during the interview. I think you'll find that if someone is unwilling to hire you simply because you have long hair you don't want to work for them anyway.
Joshua
Yeah, I've always thought that way, if a place is not willing to hire me, just because I have long hair, they probably are to uptight anyway.
Thanks a lot for the tip Joshua.
I would certainly try getting together a very neat, professional appearance BEFORE resorting to cutting your hair. Low and tight ponytail, is good. If you have a piercing in your lip (it appears that you do) I would suggest that that might have a negative influence before the long hair (it would in the US). Clean, freshly pressed shirt and pants are a must. Looking the interviewers in the eye with confidence goes a long way.
Try some other things before the hair cut.
Bob
Yeah I'm actually started buying nice shirts and pants to work, and about the piercing, well I took it off for the interview I had, but I guess they could still see my hole.
I'm seriously thinking of losing it, my oral hygiene is suffering a little bit because of it.
Thanks A lot, these comments really help.
I'm sure a small piercing hole would worry someone at an interview and if does they really ought to get a life! I understand they do close up if left alone.
As a side issue I've often wondered if you leave it out and drink a cup of tea/coffew does it dribble out?
The nice shirt pants to work should be fine.
Cheers,
John.
I agree with you, if someone gets worried for seeing what may or may not be a piercing hole they should really come out of their cave. People here tend to get shocked over some very common uncommon things as I call them (Like a person having an unusual way of walking because of an accident or operation for example.)
I never get any undesired dribbling really. However if I put it between my lower lip and my lower gum and push it, it'll squirt quite a lot actually.
Don't give up just yet I got a good job in spite of my hair and they asked if I would cut it, I said no. So try all the alternatives and clean up really good and see where it gets you.
Once you get in someplace you may find they aren't as picky as you might expect. Try getting ready for an interview and post a pic and let us see and suggest things. I interview and hire for my department and may have an idea or two.
Let us know how it goes
Thank you very much, I really appreciate that. I'll post a pic before I get ready for my next interview.
By the way, how did they react to you saying no to cutting your hair?
I stayed positive and stated I was not in favor of doing that (as opposed to saying no). I told them I felt I could achieve a clean conservative look with the hair that would fit their image. As everything else in the interview went well and I had lots of experience so they got over it fast. The hair by itself was not an issue.
In your case if you got the clothes right, hide the piercing pull the hair back tight and maybe some styling product to smooth down any frizzies just for the interview. Be positive, look them in the eye, smile, be confident they want you more than you want them. You may not like the look for the interview but if it's just for the interview then go for it and remember it's for a fat paycheck and to keep the hair.
Kevin
Hi Nelo,
You've got a great head of hair there and after the time you have taken to grow it out. There have been some very positive suggestiomns so far like putting your hair in a ponytail and looking smart for an interview.
As Kevin I would not it for an job and just walk out if they start refering to it. There are quite a few of us that work in IT and retail and it's not such an issue.
I wish you well with the job search and keep that greet mane of yours growing.
Cheers,
John.B
That could be your answer. Don't be too quick to blame your hair. You may just have to look longer and harder than your friend because you don't have a lot of experience yet.
That may be several times more effective than it would be otherwise if you read "Dreamweaver for Dummies" while seated in the barber chair. [wink]
You do have to live with any bigotry that exists where you live. The difficulty of finding a job is going to go up with the level of the bigotry of course. The question really is whether having your hair is worth the additional hassle that it causes.
Another option is to move to a place where the bigotry against you might be less, of course. This can be tougher if you live in a small place than if you live in a larger one, just because you have less choices. The Dominican Republic is not large like the U.S. or the E.U. are, but it nevertheless could have a lot of cultural variation there on this issue. Or it could not. I'd look into that, at least.
Prejudice against your kind of hair sounds racist to me, but racist bigotry, just like long hair bigotry, sadly exists everywhere to some degree.
And you have to weigh that sentiment. How well will you really do at a job if you hate the people there for the way you were treated, or if you hate not looking like yourself every minute of the day on the job and off? Having more money can bring pleasure, but so can looking like yourself.
For some people, money is really important. For others, having long hair is really important. You have to weigh how YOU feel about both of these things and then decide. It should be your decision, not that of your friends, because only you truly know how you feel about both those things.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
Bill
Also...
Sorry if you don't like the Jim Morrison-esque picture, but I do like it. A lot actually.
I understand you completely. If you use strong gel (L'oreal Fiber Glue works for me), you will be able to keep most of the frizz at bay. If you double or triple band the pny, you can make it look neat, too... or try a bun.
Good luck!
Shawn (Mr.Crow)
First, I have to say that I really like your hair. And your piercing makes your look even more interesting.
From my personal experience, I don't think that hairstyle influences decisions about hiring people that much, as long the general appearance and behaviour of the applicant is nice and sympathic.
Especially in the IT and even more in the web-programming area, long-haired people are generally very well accepted. Maybe also because they create the impression of creativity and have some artistic touch.
In my current job I work for a big international IT company as a business requirements engineer, working closely together with IT-architects and representatives of the customer. No one ever complained about my hair (it's mid-back length). Of course I can feel some curiosity about my hairstyle and sometimes I get some questions about why I'm having long hair or 'what kind of hairstyle will you have when you cut your hair', 'is it really comfortable in summer time'... But that's normal, I think.
So, in your next interview, just don't think about your hair. Just try to act seriously and show them your competence. If they don't hire you, they had probably some more experienced or better qualified applicants! It's not your hair. Ane even if it was, be happy to have another chance to find a company where you can be who you would like to be!
Good luck!
Don't cut your hair! It looks great! All you have to do is dress nice, perhaps a little conservatively, keep your hair looking nice with good products, and either stay clean shaven or keep your facial tidy.