new thread
Some might remember the discomfort I felt when it was announced 15 months ago at my company that they would be outsourcing much of accounting to Mexico and that my job would be gone. As longhairs, we have an added layer of concern when it comes to having to find a new job. I had grown my hair out while employed at this company and it had never been an issue. What would I find in the general job market?
Several in my department just wanted to get out ASAP due to the difficult situation of knowing your job will disappear. While I understood their reasoning, I made it clear that I wanted to stay as long as possible. I was given two extensions, the last of which would be due to expire at the end of this year. My boss actually came to me offering yet a third extension that would prolong things potentially for a few months more. I would have taken that despite the unpleasant feeling of being in limbo.
However, around this time, a position unexpectedly opened up in another department that isn’t slated to be outsourced. I applied and was invited for an interview. I dressed up for that but, of course, didn’t cut my hair. I was given an offer earlier this week which I accepted! Granted, the people in this other department have known me for many years but I still never worked for them. It would be unlikely that after seeing me with long hair for ten years here that they would make it an issue but you never know.
There will be quite a steep learning curve for me in my new position but it’s much more pleasant going to work every day knowing that your job is secure for the time being. I’m glad that I didn’t have to be put in the position of needing to support my family and feeling the pressure that perhaps having long hair was having a detrimental effect on my chances.
I think this speaks to the overall easing of bigotry towards longhairs. So, if you’re facing the prospect of needing to get hired while very much wishing to remain a longhair, take heart!
Excellent news, Jason!
Thanks Bruce!
Congratulations. Good luck in your new position.
Thanks Marco!
This is just TERRIFIC news, Jason, I am so happy to hear this!!!!!
Society in general has made significant progress (even though still more needed to take place) in overcoming a lot of the bigotry that used harass a lot of longhaired men, and I am so grateful to be able to witness this greatly improved attitude in recent times!
Back in the late 1970s, when I was making a difficult career change, I attended a 4-day workshop offered by the San Francisco EDD (Employment Development Department). The instructor was great -- very helpful in so many ways, giving all of us in the class some very important facts, advise, and other important details that enabled us to go out and successfully get the jobs we were all hoping for. He made a depressing statement, however, in giving advise to the longhaired men in the workshop (I had fairly short hair at this time, but I paid close attention because wanted to grow mine out someday): he said that it was best to cut one's hair short before going out on any job interviews, in order to increase the chances of landing a good job; but then AFTERWARD, that would be good timing for a man to grow his hair back out, once he had a secure job.
Again, this was the advise given by the SF EDD during the late 1970s (I took this job fair workshop in the fall of 1979)... Although I have no clue what EDD actually says currently on this subject, my guess would be that this old advise is probably considered "outdated" by now (at least I believe it to be)!
Congrats, Jason, this is really cool news!!!
- Ken
Thanks very much, Ken. I know I was already stressed about this situation when I saw you last December.
I had no idea at the time that I'd be offered first one extension to continue doing the original job I had. I was then given another extension but it was in a department that was scheduled to be outsourced also. Because of being able to stick around, I now have this opportunity. There are lots of benefits beyond just keeping my hair in staying with the same company like the vacation and scheduling.
That advice you were given definitely is dated now! Thank goodness things have come so far from the 70s!
That's great news, Jason! I'm sure you must be feeling a sense of relief. I had my position eliminated one time and it was certainly very unsettling for me. So much so that I decided at the time to go back to college to change careers to get into a field that offered more job security (I became a Registered Nurse). That was probably the best career move I ever made in my life.
I want to wish you all the best in your new position. Keep in mind that going from a job that you have been doing for years to a new and different job will also entail going from being an expert to being a novice. This can be emotionally challenging for anyone (I have certainly experienced this myself a number of times), so just be prepared for that if you should find yourself getting frustrated. In time you'll become expert once again at your job.
Thanks Marx! I'm happy that you have found a stable career and that apparently you're not facing any discrimination about your hair in the nursing field.
It's very true what you say about going from being an expert to a novice. I got to know my old job so well that I could do it both quickly and accurately almost without thinking. Now I'll have to start learning new things but that's good too!
Congratulations on hanging in there despite the insecure environment....I'm sure your resiliency & company knowledge came out positively during the interviewing process....not your hair....even if it looks great! All the best to you!
Thanks!
I do feel that I was rewarded for sticking it out and being willing to take temporary extensions instead of jumping ship immediately.
Hey Jason,
Congrats!
Congrats on your securing a position in the other department in your company. Congrats on staying true to yourself and keeping your long hair.
I had an interview yesterday with the principal of the Round Valley Middle School for a position as a substitute teacher. I wore my clerical suit and I had my hair in a ponytail with two (2) bands; one (1) at base of the back of my head and one (1) at the end of the ponytail. I stuck the ponytail under the back of my collar. The interview went well; the principal is going to recommend to the school board that I be hired. Because of my duties at church I will be available to substitute teach in the afternoon.
I don't think my long hair was even an issue. Like yourself, I think that the prejudice against men with long hair is going away.
Congrats again, bro!
Your long haired bro,
Raymond
Good luck with the substitute teaching position. Let us know how it turns out. Also, what is a clerical suit?
What is a clerical suit?
It is a priest's suit like any other men's suit, but usually black. Instead of a collar and tie, the priest wears a black shirt with a white plastic collar, or slip-in tab. It is the usual outdoor dress for priests in countries where the cassock * is considered inappropriate.
* Cassock:
Sorry about the short hair on the posing models!
Anthony
Thanks for the clarification. I would have been quite surprised if the photo showed long-haired priests. I think that would be very rare indeed.
Hi Raymond,
That's really great that you too did not face any problems about your hair in getting another position. It really does feel like the tide is turning.
Thanks for your support!
Jason
Well done Jason for your positive approach. I wish you all the best in your new position. It sounds exciting and like a real growth opportunity, while maintaining your integrity as a long hair. Lance
Thanks Lance. It was such a long road for me to finally become a longhair that anything that would potentially put that in jeopardy is definitely a concern. Hopefully it won't be an issue for a long time.
Hi Jason,
What wonderful news, and cheers and congratulations on landing this job. I know that you have gone through a lot of stress lately worrying about the job situation, and I am glad that you will now be working for a company with a strong foundation who understands your desire to have long hair.
I really should apologize for not being around the hyperboard much lately, and for keeping such a low profile. Once I saw your post, though, I felt that it was a perfect time for me to come out of hiding.
Congratulations again!
David
Hi David,
Thanks very much! I think my company is fairly tolerant towards unconventional appearances so that was in my favor.
I've been meaning to send you an email to see how things have been going. Were you able to enjoy a long season of golfing this year? Have you thought about doing some more traveling?
Good hearing from you my friend,
Jason
Hi Jason,
Thank you so much for asking about my summer, and yes, I have spent far too much time on the golf course. I have also taken up another hobby, collecting clocks, especially Black Forest clocks.
Talke care, and my best to Amanda and your family as well.
David
I am a self-employed translator, so no one cares what I look like. I appreciate the good news that progress is being made against anti-long-hair-on-men prejudice at work and in business. I found a very encouraging bit on Facebook mentioning the possibility for priests in various churches to have beards and long hair like the Orthodox, and not be in conformity with the close-cropped world of the "Matrix". I am also happy to know that progress is being made in conservative America (in Europe, no one could care less about anything!).
That being said, I think that someone working in a big corporation or a bank in Europe would but up against big problems with long hair. I have a brother-in-law who works as an engineer for Total, and he tells me the dress (and hair) code is very strict.
By the way, your hair is wonderful! Good luck with the future!
Anthony
Thanks Anthony!
That's definitely a benefit of being self-employed particularly in a field where your personal appearance isn't a potential concern to those whom you interact with.
America is so varied culturally that I think it still depends on what part of the country you're living in. Even generally though, things are looking better for longhairs.
Hi Jason ... what a great thread !!! - 1stly you LQQK great: ( Love the beard & your hair looks fantastic ) + I would imagine you went to the interview looking scrubbed, dapper & sporting a very neat & masculine plait ... you were hired for your skill, work ethic, reliability & wisdom ... long hair appropriately managed really should never be a problem ... WELL DONE & CONGRATS !!! cheers Cem. ~~:0)~
Hi CEM,
Thanks! I did have my hair braided for the interview. I wore a tie as well which we don't normally have to do anymore at my company. It doesn't take much effort to dress up and there's nothing permanent about it like cutting hair so I think it's worth doing.
It's definitely an advantage I had that I was known for many years within the company. When you apply at a totally new place, they know nothing about you and long hair could potentially be an issue.
Thanks again,
Jason
So awesome! These are really good news, congrats!
Thanks Philip! Your recent update was most impressive!
Scott from Nottingham
Some might remember the discomfort I felt when it was announced 15 months ago at my company that they would be outsourcing much of accounting to Mexico and that my job would be gone. As longhairs, we have an added layer of concern when it comes to having to find a new job. I had grown my hair out while employed at this company and it had never been an issue. What would I find in the general job market?
Thanks Scott!
Congratulations on your new job!!!
I'm glad your hair wasn't an issue...It looks great !!
Cheers
Tes
Thanks Tes!
Hi Jason,
I have to say that was a good strategy holding out to the inevitable end which, as you explained, could come sooner or later but hopefully never.I guess even this new job could hold the risk of being outsourced but for now it sounds like its not in the cards.Also being your within the same company helps your position and since your seen everyday with longhair I'm sure in the interview that wasn't a shocker.After all they did offer you the job.So sounds like your safe for now and hopefully it remains so.Good luck with the new responsibilities as I'm sure you'll pick it up no problem.Cheers
Mârk
Hi Mark,
Thanks! Having been at this same company for over 19 years, things definitely aren't as stable as they used to be. No one really knows what the future holds with it but things are at least pretty stable for now. It's also good that I'll be learning something knew should the need to find another job arise.
Best,
Jason
Great mane, and thanks for sharing your interview experience. I had a similar experience, getting a senior-level position after interviewing in a suit … along with waist-length hair, waist-length muttonchops, and both ears pierced all the way around. :) Keep it growing!
Thanks and congrats on your also getting hired as a longhair! I think the dressing up is a simple thing that can leave a positive impression but doesn't cause any lasting disfigurement.
Congratulations, Jason
Great news! So happy for you (and for your long hair lol)
Thanks Max! It's nice that I can relax now about my hair too.
Congratulations Jason !
And thanks for the update, I have been wondering how the job situation was going for you.
Walter
Thanks so much, Walter!