new thread
Some of you may remember how I fondly cherished the fact that my long hair was not a problem in my job. Well, so much for that bubble. It just burst.
I got fired three weeks ago - and my appeal got turned down on Monday. Officially, I was fired for being late - but that was only two occasions this year - once when ALL trains were cancelled and once over a misunderstanding over the time I was due to start my shift. I get the strong feeling that they were just fishing for an excuse - and I think my hair annoyed some in senior management.
Gutted. Now I have to seek a new job - not easy in the current recession and especially after being fired from this job.
My g/f loves my hair but she and my mates are strongly suggesting I cut my hair to enhance my chances. Not buzzcut (my g/f HATES them too) but at least much shorter than it is now.
My hair comes a few centimetres below my collarbone now and I LOVE it - but I guess I have to face reality. I totally HATE ponytails and they look like crap on me. I think I'm going to have to face the dreaded scissors.
Yeah, I know it'll grow back but .... :(
Damon
I would suggest sticking to your guns and not cutting a single hair
on the head.
Even if you cut your hair there is no guarantee that it will get
you a job.
Could the company have been fishing for people to eliminate prior
to a major layoff?
I would mention that who you know and what your experience is will
get you a job, cutting your hair may not be of any help.
Why not try it with hair first and when all else fails then cut your hair as a last resort?
Plus it's better to look for a job with longhair that way you can find a workplace that doesn't care about longhair.
I think that neatness, not hair length, is the most important thing in applying for a job. (Unless the company hates longhairs, and if they did would you want to work there?) Tie your hair back like it's "under control", straighten it (just for interviews) if it looks ragged, and dress appropriately. Remove piercings and be clean shaven if you can. This is controversial but some people are put off by piercings and feel separate if you have a beard. (If you have a beautiful, long beard, don't cut it off but make sure it's neat.)
Hey Damon, very sorry to hear about you job as I was in that position last March but that was because work got really slow.They ultimately brought me back in May when work picked up.As for you it sounds like a different situation but I would resist the false assumption that if you had a short haircut you'll automatically get a job.If I had to seek new employment I would not cut my hair at all.Let them see me as I want the world to see me as it hurts no one and its the way I prefer to look.I know your younger, which might make it more difficult with longhair, but its not like you have hair down to you butt!I'd just go to interviews and not even act as if your hair is an issue which it shouldn't.I've never been there but is the UK that stuck up?Cheers and good luck my friend.
Mârk
Well that sucks, if the reason was you where late twice then yeah i would say there is more then meets the eye.
What is wrong with a ponytail? Honestly even most women with long hair tie it back in some way at work. I think the biggest thing is neatness, i myself can't want to be-able to do this.. Its your decision at the end of the day, i do see long haired men that are not bums so there has to be some jobs out there.
Sorry you are on the job search....it is such a stressful process.
But remember, the interview is a two way street. You are evaluating the prospective new employer and company as much as they are evaluating you. Rather than cut you hair, go to interviews looking as sharp as you can. Do not assume that all employers are against longhair. During the interview, YOU put the subject on the table by asking if your appearance violates any of the company policies....if so, then you have the choice to comply or move on........but it will be your choice.
Good Luck and let us know how it goes.....
WWT
Hi Damon, You're right to review the situation, and it's down to you to decide on what's important in your life. I've had the decision made for me as the choice was between long hair and death! or bald and life - no choice!
Good luck with your decision and your job hunting
Oh gosh, Ian! My moaning about losing my job is incredibly petty by comparison to what you must be going through. I'm so sorry. I so hope everything goes well for you now.
Damon
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n/t
Wow! Many thanks to all of you for some excellent advice!
I've decided to follow it. I won't cut my hair for now and see how it goes first. I'll make my hair and the rest of my appearance as neat as possible. I'm seldom scruffy even at home and I'm always neat and clean for work so that should be natural for me anyway. I might even consider a ponytail for the interview stage. I don't have a beard so no worries there.
Just heard from some mates that one of the dep managers resigned her position coz of how they treated me. Wow!!! I didn't realise people liked me that much! It was the senior management that resented me.
Thanks again guys!
Damon
Hi Damon,
I realize I'm a bit late commenting here; but decided to chime in anyway, for what it's worth...
The way I look at it is this way: anything I can do to adjust my appearance for work that will make me look as neat and clean and conservative-looking as possible, -- but WITHOUT cutting my hair or shaving off my beard -- I'll do it! Conservative-looking clothes? No problem! Slick back my hair, tie it in a bun, or wear a hat? No problem! Wear a uniform if that's what the job requires? Again, no problem!
Only if a job asks me to cut my hair do I see a problem. No reason for me to get mad over it, though -- I just view it as the wrong job for me, and then walk on...
Most jobs are only an 8-hour day. How an employer asks me to look during those 8 hours is no big deal to me. As long as i can still let down my hair at the end of a workday, my hair still being looooong, then in my view I've not compromised what's important to me.
I hope my comments have been helpful -- and best of luck to you!!
- Ken in San Francisco
Just seen your post. Great comments. Working is a mutual relationship and not one way.. which a lot of people do forget, they can certainly ask you to follow a dress code but asking you to compromise who you are is going to far.
Your comments, as always, are worth a LOT, Ken! Thanks for "chiming in". I think your attitude is perfect.
Damon
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Ken,
You said it best! I agree with you 100%
Darrin
Hey Damon,
I was unemployed recently (job ended at the end of May - thank goodness I still had a few more paychecks to go ~o~ !) - budget cuts hit, stinks ~_~ . But then I was interviewed a month ago and thankfully hired onto a new job just a week ago (social services area) and to my surprise, my hair wasn't an issue :o !!! I even asked them during the interview if there was a dress code without directly pointing to my hair. The boss said that I should know how to look by now, so he won't be telling me how to dress @o@ (the other person interviewing me said what I wear was just fine).
Total shock!!! The one thing that was worrying me the most during my unemployment was that I was going to have to chop off my hair, but heck, they didn't say a word :o ... especially with what I'm doing now :o !!!
Anyways, what I'm trying to say is if that was possible (and I was the sour grape when it came to worst case scenarios with my hair), then don't cut your hair either and see what happens... you might be pleasantly surprised also :) !
Sincerely,
Eric
Damon,
Sorry, didn't see your post before my reply... yeah, definitely a ponytail. If you have to give something up, at least for a while, then give up hanging it down long at work. Better than not having any long hair at all ^_~ !
Sincerely,
Eric
I was prepared to dip into my retirement accounts. I was out of work for a year, but I wasn't going to cut my hair for a job. I can be stubborn.
Darrin
With apologies to Lionel Bart -
I'm reviewing the situation.
I'm a longhair and a longhair I shall stay!
You'll be seeing no transformation,
'Cos it's good to be a hippie in ev'ry way.