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Hey guys...Some of you may remember me. I dont post often (I'm really pretty shy!) but I do lurk often and visit the board almost everyday. I'm at work or else I would post a current pic of myself as a reminder. Anyways, I have worked at a VERY large telecommunications company in Atlanta for over 4 years and currently hold a night shift supervisor position. Love the job, love the pay, love the fact that I can have long hair (its down to my shoulder blades) and a beard and nobody cares or says anything about it. However, we have been hit with a vicious round of layoffs (about 25 people in my department alone) and I really dont feel that my job is that secure right now. Its really a question of WHEN I get layed off, not IF. No other telecomm companies around seem to be hiring (the bad economy has hit this industry HARD) so I've looked everywhere for employment from AT&T to Costco and even thought about becoming a police officer. But I REALLY REALLY REALLY dont want to cut my hair and/or shave my beard. Yet just about any and every good paying job that I can find has a strict grooming policy. I even looked into being a QuickTrip store manager and they say on their website that no long hair or even facial hair is allowed. I was a fire fighter for about 5 years before my current job and I hated having short hair and being forced to shave everyday. I actually think I hate the idea of shaving everyday more than the idea of cutting my hair! I know I would hate it if I became a cop or went back to the fire dept. but I really need to think about my future. I'm 30, not married, no kids. But still, I may some day find Mrs. Right and have little ones and I dont want to be working at wal-mart or mcdonalds for minimum wage when I'm 45 or 50 (no offense to anyone that may work there) just because I dont want to cut my hair. So I guess I'm wondering: WHAT DO ALL YOU LONG HAIRS ON THIS BOARD DO FOR A LIVING? What jobs or companies do you know that will allow long hair on guys? I'd like to make a living that is close to what I make now (40-50 thousand a year if possible) without being forced to cut my hair and adhere by society's outdated standards. None of my "real world" friends are long hairs and when I complain about cutting my hair they all say "whatever! just get a damn haircut already!" So I came to you guys here hoping for some better advice. If nothing else, I just needed somebody to vent to that understands me. :)
Hey there,
Well its great that you currently have a job that will allow your hair and beard! The argument that long hair on a guy is kind of silly because if long hair can "look professional" on a woman then it can "look professional" on a guy, too!
The best advice I can give to you is to keep looking! The hardest part is probably going to be getting an interview, but if you get the interview, the employer already thinks you have what it takes, or else why interview you? This is why its essential as a longhair to make sure you are really selling YOURSELF and your skills, and what YOU (and not your long hair) are going to bring to the team. If you do a really good job of this, most places probably won't even care about the hair unless they have very strict policies in regards to this. And honestly, if the company is going to require you to shave or cut your hair, is it somewhere you really want to work anyway? Uniforms and clothing is one thing, but I never accepted the argument that 'its just hair, cut it' or 'since hair can be changed employers should be allowed to discriminate against it'
The very opposite should be true, because HOW much time, effort, and dedication is required to actually grow out long hair? .. Oh yes, thats right! YEARS! I guess that kind of commitment and dedications shows nothing about those same traits an employee may bring to the company, eh?
Sorry for being so long winded! I just got home from work (work nights, too!) and am kinda in la-la land!
And to answer your question, I work at a coffee shop, on night shift, full time. I would like to go back to school, and then perhaps one day start my own business so that I don't need to listen to some employers arbitrary grooming rules!
Well, to answer part of your question, I work in acquisition logistics for a defense contractor. While I probably have the longest hair (male or female) of anyone in the company, at least the local portion of it, I'm not the only long-haired guy around here, and there are a number of guys with beards. I'm not sure if there *is* an actual set of grooming standards, other than a fairly loose "business casual" dress code.
So far my only experience with any "discrimination" based on hair was when the first contract I worked on for this company was coming due for renewal, and the government office I was supporting decided to move the contract to a new company. The government folks asked me to interview with this other company, and the interviewer mentioned that for me to keep the position I had been holding under them, I'd have to cut my hair. My present company offered me a new position to stay onboard (with better pay), and I decided to go that route. Being able to avoid cutting wasn't the major deciding point, but it was definitely a factor.
Frodo
It should not be about what is allowed, we are in 2010 and every thing should be possible. However there are many longhairs that don't get job offers and at times that can be due to negativity etc.
I have posted before about my own journey and from an admin junior when may hair was loose and then to bunches. Having kept a high pony for a year or two which is a lovely effect btw I slowly won promotion to senior management jobs. My waist length hair has not been seen down in the workplace for years - I maintain it in a bun that is chic and stylish. I am as good as I perform in my job not on my hair length and yes years ago the odd clever comment was made we can rise above it.
I love my hair and love it down but give 100% to my job and that includes making sure my hair is a non issue. So all jobs should be open - good luck!
[snip]
So all jobs should be open - good luck!
We all know the way it *should* work, but we're also all aware that the world doesn't always work the way it should. I'm thinking Element was looking for advice on what career fields would be more likely to look past his hair length to see his worth as an employee.
Frodo
Exactly! Thank you Frodo. But thanks to EVERYONE who has taken the time to answer. Im feeling much better. Still unsure of my future...but not as down in the dumps as before. :)
I am an independent electrician. Even before working for myself, I worked for a contractor as a residential wireman. The dress code is not a major concern for most construction jobs, safety is. I'm sure 99% of construction trades will not force you to cut your hair. Unfortunately, construction jobs are hard to come by with this economy, and even I am lucky to get the few and far between jobs I have.
Seems like more longhairs work 'behind the scenes' jobs. Maybe a packing company or a commercial truck driving job might be a little more forgiving of your long hair.
Here in Switzerland, I do not think it makes a big difference whether one has long or short hair, as long as one qualifies for the job (and as long one does not work in a sales department of a 'conventional' company).
Working in the area of IT, I used to do projects with the two major banks of Switzerland and also for IBM Switzerland, without any problems at all. One of the best engineers I ever met, has long curly hair.
I have almost waist length hair (to be more precise, median lenght is mid back, longest length is below waist).
I believe, to keep a job being a longhair, it is essential to stay current. You need to remain qualified for the job at any time. Even more so, if there are competitors around (wearing short hair and neat ties), you need to be better qualified.
I know this sounds hard. But it's the only way which is not based on luck.
Longhairs are not mainstream. Therefore they need to be better than mainstream in order to be noticed.
-- tom
Sorry to hear about your threatened employment.
It may not be of much help to you, but nearly any scientific field will have lax or nonexistent policies concerning appearance simply due to the "behind the scenes" nature of the job. However, even longhaired doctors or RNs are certainly not uncommon. I think people expect scientists to be a little bit "out there", haha.
I'm 25 years old and work as a biologist in a research lab. I started the job 2 years ago with short hair and grew it out with no problems whatsoever (barring some friendly teasing!). I did not do anything special like slick it back, just let it do its thing for 2 years. I live in a small town in the midwest and even in this longhair-unfriendly part of the country there are about 10 other longhaired men in my place of employment. A few of them are in pretty high positions, too.
Again, this is just my personal experience, but I hope it helps you feel a bit more at ease.
-Dan H.
Currently, I work online, so I don't ever have to see anybody. Previously, I worked at a major metropolitan hospital in a highly public position. I had long hair for about five of those years and nobody seemed to care.
It also depends on where you work. Areas that are socially more liberal and generally more diverse tend to be less restrictive in terms of grooming and clothing standards. I suspect that many of the things that wouldn't even cause a raised eyebrow in SF would cause a slammed door in Atlanta.
For reference, jobs I have done with long hair: preschool childcare/handyman, telephone surveys, garden center sales, answering service operator/bookkeeper, volunteer usher at the Opera House (also presented company flowers to the prima ballerinas on stage multiple times (hair down)), transit operator, transit supervisor...that is, every job I have ever had (with very brief/if any periods of unemployment) has neither cared nor commented on my long hair.
Welcome back!
I do software and electronics engineering.
In the past, I have worked as a longhair in plastics injection molding, and in electronics assembly.
- Oren
Thanks to EVERYONE who replied. I feel alot better tonight. Guess I just kinda got scared and "lost it" for a sec with all the layoffs around here. Ive loved the last four years that I have spent looking the way I want to look instead of the way someone else wants me to look. The freedom to have my hair long and to have a beard is incredible. I probably wouldnt appreciate it as much if not for the years I spent as a firefighter and had to have a buzz cut (I was a long hair for about 9 or 10 years before cutting it for the FD). If I cut my hair (which I doubt I will anytime soon!), I want it to be because I want to, not because some a-hole who is stuck in the past makes me. I think I will just stay put here at my current job for as long as I can and try not to worry about it. Whatever happens happens. The Good Lord will lead me where I need to be. And hopefully where He leads me is a place that is safe for long hairs!! Thanks again everybody!!
You have the right attitude regarding your hair Element.Even if your current job ends and you have to look around for a new one I would wear my hair with confidence and not think twice about it.The worst thing to do is act like you have done something wrong just because you grew your hair long.Neatly tail it for an interview and treat it like any other part of your body.I wouldn't even mention it in an interview regarding company dress code unless the interviewer brings it up.Still my long hair is non negotiable:)What you see is what you get sunshine;)Cheers
Mark
Technical jobs are more tolerant of long hair. If you don't have technical qualifications, then jobs in technical companies, like the job you have now. If there are no jobs in telecomms, then maybe in some other kind of technology.
I work in a law firm, but it's a patent law firm and I'm a patent agent, so it is a technical job after all. Mind you, I became an engineer first.
Forget the job market, it's a doomed prospect. People with college degrees can't even find decent work anymore. The United States and Europe is in a depression now. What you need to do is be your own boss and work for yourself (especially if you have long hair). Try to do business in economies that are stable, unlike the U.S.A.'s. I work as an online coin dealer. People are rushing to tangible commodities due to government/corporate/personal debt and the fiat currency crisis.