new thread
I am in the process of looking for employment and got into a recent argument with my big sister.
my hair is probably no where near as long as most of you, but it's between the chin and shoulders and covers most of my neck.
I always do my best to keep it neat
here is the problem
my big sister, who is a "Corporate" type and has longer than shoulder length hair has suggested that I get some "nice looking" shirts with a "collar" and some Khaki pants and I really hate dressing that way and to top it off she suggests I get a "Haircut"
and not just a trim but a short haircut above the ears and off the neck to make what she considers "a good impression"
I told her that is not really who I am and that I would not feel comfortable dressing like that or cutting my hair into some yuppie style in which she got more argumentative and said
It's not about what I want, but what my employer expects and that I am trying to "sell" myself in order to get hired and if I do not want a job I can keep my long hair and dress in my usual attire which is what I am comfortable in.
what I need is some advice on whether I should do what my big sis requests or possibly some options where I can avoid the haircut and yuppie clothes.
any advice would be appreciated
respectfully,
Drew
She's parroting the party line about what employers require. Many in this community have found jobs and kept their very long hair. Granted, it's not always easy to obtain this situation.
For those of us with really long hair that has taken years to grow, all is done in our power to avoid cutting for a job. In your case, I would certainly try to get one without trimming. However, since your hair really isn't that long, it wouldn't take too much time to get back to a shaggy look once you've secured a job. You might have to play the game and get your foot in the door and then grow your hair how you want to.
I think she has a good suggestion about wearing appropriate clothes. No matter what the job is for, I would go with a shirt and tie for the interview.
Hi Drew,
I agree with Jason's comments as he stated below my reply here; but I'd also like to add a few other options for you to consider...
First of all, what type of job are you looking for? There are a thousand million different career directions you can go in, many of which have no issue whatsoever with long hair on men.
Secondly, there's a big difference between clothes and hair. Clothes you can take on & off several times during a day, changing them any which way you want or need to, as each situation dictates (like: formal-looking clothes during your work day; but shorts & a T-shirt once you are off-duty).
Hair, however, you cannot cut off for work and then glue it back on long again when you come back home...
Life is all about making compromises sometimes. We can't always do "everything" we want to do all of the time, under every circumstance, especially if we want to be paid by somebody; so, in figuring out one's priorities, each individual has to think about what he might be willing to adjust about themselves in order to get something else in return (in this case, a paycheck - LOL).
For me, for example, I have no objection to being told what clothes to wear to work, and even HOW to wear my long hair (I tie it back usually in a bun or a braid -- a basic safety & health law requirement for me as a cook). Similarly for me when I used to do gardening and landscaping jobs -- although in that case, not as strict as health laws for kitchen workers; but more out of personal safety while being around various gardening tools.
After my 8-hour day is done, though, I get to go home, shower, and then let down my hair (as well as wear whatever clothes I want to then).
I willingly compromise over which clothes my boss expects me to wear at work; but I'll never compromise over the length of how long I want my hair to be -- I would take it as a sign that it would not be the right kind of job for me if I was ever asked to cut it, as having long hair is just too important to me personally, and too much a part of who I am. A lot of other people here feel about the same way as I've just explained, above; so I hope this helps...
My best to you!!
- Ken in San Francisco
Hi again Drew,
One more important thing which I should have added to my last reply...
Whatever line of work that you want to do, as long as:
1) you are really good at what you do (including being very knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced);
2) you are well-trained at doing what you do (if not, take whatever schooling would help you with this);
3) you have good work habits and a good work attitude, etc. (are punctual, willing to help out in any way while on the job, eager to learn new things, work smoothly with others, etc., etc., and so on & so-forth...)
4) have good personal ethics as well as good work ethics...
Then who in the world wouldn't want to hire you?? If you have all of the right qualities and qualifications to be an excellent worker, then emphasize THAT during your job interview... the length of your hair will fade into total unimportance if everything else about you is in proper order!!
- Ken
You don't say how old you are/what line of work
you are interested in/ whether you're between
jobs/you're experience level, etc.
I would point out in the current economy if you've
been unemployed for a long time if you cut your
hair and wear a three peaie suit you won't be hired
in a number of cases just because you've been unemployed
for so long. (There are employers who say no unemployed
may apply.)
Cutting your hair and wearing different clothes may not guarantee you a job.