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Next month, I might be working at a place that requires me to look like a businessman. (No long locks or the facial hair; although, I don't mind shaving my beard; I do my cutting my hair)
Is there any way to bypass this or should I go find another job?
In most IT environments, they don't really have dress codes, because, they don't interface with the public on many occasions.
This subject has come up quite a lot in this forum. The bottom line is that the choice is ours:
- get a haircut,
- persuade the employer that it can look different when tied up,
- not to take that job or look for another where the boss tolerated long hair.
Good luck,
Anthony
Wow! your hair looks great, man! I can´t believe someone would want it cut off! I don't really know what your job options are, but your hair is a definitely a keeper. Furthermore, you can have long (or longish) hair and still look like a businessman.
(Please google Richard Branson and you'll see what I mean.)
Hi Mohammed,
That could be a tough decision. I think you need to think about what is most important to you; your hair or the job. Does the job offer good prospects for a future career? Have you been with this company long enough so that your length of experience with the company would not be a red flag for a new employer (short times on jobs generally look bad on a resume). I think it is important to weigh the potential impact on your career and future career advancements against your desire to keep your long hair. A bad career decision can have a significant impact on your future earnings - your hair can be grown back at any time. Good luck sorting it out and making your decision. All the best,
-Marx
I wouldn't cut it.
But it makes you wonder. There comes a point where it just becomes sexual discrimination. You wouldn't force a woman with short hair to grow it long. Double standards.
Do you want to work for someone like that? If they're concerned about hair, what else do they try to hold over people? Where there is smoke there is fire. Unless you're in the military or working with military clients, no.
IMHO one thing to consider is how realistic are the job prospects? At the age of 61 i've known too many guys who had long hair that they cut off for a job they never got. Maybe the
was never available to start with, maybe it went to the bosses nephew, or maybe the job was already filled prior to the interview. There are also employers who won't fill the job, instead of hiring they'll have existing workers put in overtime or split the duties between existing employees.
Only you can make that decision. It is all about what your priorities are in life. As for me, I would prefer to have the freedom to look the way I choose to look and to allow my hair to be in its natural state. Your hair is coming along great, I hope you keep it going!
But if you're going to be public facing in an IT position, wouldn't your clients expect you to look like an IT guy?
Uuh, so what does an IT guy look like? Is there an unspoken code that all IT guys go by that differs to, say... artists? Bankers? Construction workers? Teachers? Fishermen? If you're going to say "They need to look professional" or something along those lines, then please define what a professional look is and how it differs to women in the same occupation, whom have similar or different hairstyles.
I know I'm setting myself up for a beating here... but as to whom writes these spoken/unspoken codebooks - for all follow/fall-in-line with and for what reason is beyond me....
Reminds me of the old 1984 commercial by Apple Computer for some reason. Everyone sitting in nice, neat rows - all (almost) looking the same ;p ~
Looking professional is very arbitrary. You ask 100 employers what is looking professional and you'll get 100 different answers.
In a number of work places women can have long hair but men can't. There are work places where they'll complain about a man having long hair but they'll have 60 salesmen who have long hair
(In a massive comb over goes from ear to ear. Somehow that long hair is okay but long hair in pony tail isn't. There is a lot of unfairness and arbitrary rules.
don't work there! places like that are retarded, during my review my boss suggested i get a hair cut and i busted out laughing in his face, never heard about it again. if they think that your a hot commodity and have lot's of options they will back off. if your in a big city and your fortunate enough to have places like uber or postmates etc. you can be your own boss and not have to put up with these people.
I would suggest being really careful if you driwe for Uber. The big issue with Uber is insurance. If you drive for Uber
your personal auto insurance won't cover you, you need to talk to your insurance agent about insurance that will cover you.
Alot of people who hop into an Uber car aren't aware that the driver isn't covered by insurance.
Also beware of "surge" pricing.
Also as a driver the passengers rate you and you rate the passengers.
The day is going to come when Uber/Lyft drivers are regulated tha same as Taxi drivers. between taxi drivers going on strike,
Uber drivers molesting women, etc. the day will come soon when
they have to follow the same rules that taxis do.
So if you do choose to drive with Uber/Lyft go into it with your eyes wide open.
BTw, i would mention taxi drivers are suggested to have short hair, so the passenger in the back seat can't reach through the window and grab your hair.
So for Uber drives take that "being your own boss" with a giant grain of salt. The day may come when Uber/the police department/etc. may be your boss.
(You should be aware that some taxi companies require drivers to have short hair, to lease their cab, etc. And in a number of cities taxis have to buy a "medalion" from the city. $125,000.00m to buy the medalion. There have been many abuses by taxi drivers over the years which have lead to the regulations that exist today. Be prepared fro Uber to be in the same boat.