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The job market has reared up and bit me on the butt. My company lost the contract I've been working under, so I'm having to hunt for new employment, either within my company or elsewhere. I have a couple of solid job possibilities, but to take them most likely means cutting my hair to a "normal" men's haircut.
Don't have to make a decision quite yet, and I'm still looking for other possibilities, so hope isn't lost. I'd appreciate y'all keeping your fingers, toes, eyeballs, whatever crossed, that I find a position that won't care about my hair.
Frodo
Hi Jim,
First off I'm very sorry to hear of your employment problems especially since "they" say the economy is getting better.Yea right!Thankfully it sounds like you won't be out of work very long but the cost to get that employment sounds like it could be steep.Hopefully they will look beyond your hair and see your expertise as more valuable than a head of long hair.Sadly when you have a family to support your hands tend to get tied and are forced to do the unthinkable.This really angers me when I think if you were a woman we wouldn't even be having this conversation.The only alternative is to become self employed but that's not always an option.Anyway I'm pulling for you and hope your get that job and keep your mane:)Please keep us posted.
Mârk
Hi Frodo,
I am dismayed to hear this news. I myself will be crossing whatever I can that I hear positive news about you and your mane. I wish one of these days society will quit being so idiotic. Hopefully you will happen upon an employer that values skill sets above hair length. I wish you much success in your quest. I will be anticipating good news from you in the future my friend. :)
Take care, Ted
One thing I would caution about is be careful. I know of several cases where a guy cut his hair to get a job only to find the job
never materialized. I'd hate to see that happen in this case.
Cutting your hair is no guarantee that you'll get a job. Especially in this economy where you'll get lots of people applying for one job.
That's the way I've always looked at it. Don't cut it, because you might not get the job anyway. So I never have!
I do believe our JSFrodo is around here in Southern Maryland. So why not look for a job in DC, the only place in the nation where job discrimination based on 'hair style' is prohibited by law! Of course, discrimination is not that easy to prove, but suing people is fun anyway, LOL!
I work in DC, and I feel so much safer in the knowledge that it would not be legal for my boss to tell me to cut my hair.
You never know when you will get let go from a job. I would keep my hair. You could get his job and be let go in a month or 6 months. I have seen it happen before in the past. I was going to tap my 401 k saving, before I cut my hair. I did find a job and kept my long hair.
Good Luck!
Darrin
Check if there are any open positions available in Washington DC (I know you are in this general area), accept one of them, and then calmly inform them that 'hair style' is a protected class under the DC Human Rights Act. I am serious and I know what the law says, although I'm not a lawyer.
Too sad that this is not the law in Maryland or Virginia (or the rest of the country).
Haven't seen any openings in DC in my line of work. Besides, if they don't like my hair, all they have to do is not offer the job. How do I prove it's because of my hair and not because of my lack of a degree, or another of my job qualifications (or perceived lack thereof)?
I'm sorry to hear that you've been forced into this tough situation. To even contemplate cutting your magnificent mane is very unfortunate.
I admit that I too always have this in the back of my mind should I need to find another job. My company isn't doing that well now so I've been thinking of this more lately.
I echo Mark's sentiments about how whacked society is that women never have to give a thought to this but as men, we're often faced with this dilemma when it comes to employment. It's totally unfair and plain stupid.
My thoughts are with you that you find suitable employment AND keep your long hair.
Jason
Jason
I really do hope it does not come to this after all you went through to get where you now are - long may your's survive.
D
Hi JSFrodo,
I am genuinely sorry to hear that you are faced with this horrible decision, since you have such an outstanding mane that is inspirational to all. Hopefully, you can find an understanding employer who understands how important your hair is to you.
Before I retired some 4 years ago, I worked as a chemist in a lab, and was fortunate enough to work in a field where having long hair was not an issue.
Take care,
David
Thanks for the thoughts and comments. I'm still looking and applying, so we'll see what happens.
Frodo
Sorry I'm a bit late in making comments about your post here, but better late than not at all....
First of all, I'm so sorry to hear about this kind of stress that you're going through right now. Even without a threat to losing your mane, financial stress is definitely one of the biggies in life.
Secondly, as difficult as it might be to hang in there and keep your wonderful long hair, if at all possible, I hope you consider other alternative (like possibly a short-haired wig maybe?) before cutting.
When I was younger, I remember the general advise I heard for job interviewing was for men to go out on job interviews with a short haircut, and then once landing a job, to grow it out after the job looked secure. This advise was even stated in a 4-day job search workshop I took from the San Francisco EDD (Employment Development Dept.) back in the late '70s. I did that sort of thing when I was a young man; but I don't think I have it in me to do that anymore -- and yet, I totally understand what it means to be financially struggling for awhile, including sometimes having to consider the unthinkable.
Sometimes a compromise can help: I've trimmed my beard short at times, for example, and making my long hair less noticeable by tucking my segmented ponytail inside a nice dress shirt. But still, it's a stressful time to have to endure, regardless.
My best to you, and I will definitely keep you in my thoughts and hopes for the best job to come your way -- and one that will NOT insist on any cutting of your hair!!!
This is so unfair to even have to worry about this issue: women don't have this concern, so why should men?
- Ken
Good luck with the job search!
Don't be in a rush. I have lived through the time that a guy had to have a neat short haircut to apply for a job, but I believe that time is past. I see men in all sorts of work with long hiar, but those in professional or semi-professional situations tend to have their hair tied back.
I do not go to my office with my hair down, but rather pull it into a tail, twist it, and roll it into a ball at the back of my neck which I fasten with a pin, or pull it through a tie 2 x and the 3rd time keave the end of the tail in the tie, or twist it into a long tail, fold it under and secure it with a celtic clasp.
Times have changed. As long as it is not loose and moving, I am doubtful that it is going to cost you a job. To cut prematurely is to reinforce the prejudice.
Just have good reccomendations and a good pitch to explain why you want the job and that you are qualified for it.
James in Asheville,
Long hair every where
Sorry to hear about your situation. I'll all cross-able appendages crossed that you find mane-friendly employment soon.
- Oren