new thread
Hello everyone,
I'm a little nervous now that the time has come for me to get a job working as an attorney in a law firm since this is my last law school semester. My hair is almost long enough to get in a full tail. Originally I was thinking that my hair wouldn't be a problem for obtaining a job as an attorney since it would be pulled back, which is arguably the most 'professional' and conservative approach to wearing your hair.
Now I'm getting second thoughts (not about cutting) about having no problems interviewing with a tail. Previously, I inquired about possibly wearing a short-haired wig, and most of the responses were to basically not worry about it, especially in California. However, the more I think about it, the more I think maybe I should get a short-haired wig. I'd rather wear a wig every day then cut my hair.
I know there is a pretty famous long-haired attorney (forgot his name), but those guys are either well-established and/or are working for themselves. I, like most other exiting law school students, need to work for someone for at least a couple of years in order to gain the experience I need to be my own boss where I can call the shots.
I don't know if I should first try to interview with the tail and see how it goes, or just cave in and get a short-haired wig right away. I can't think of any other options.
So, I could really use some opinions (the more the better) on what to do. How should I do this??
You have GOT to drop this notion of the wig...
There is no point in tring to mislead your employer about your appearance, if they do turn out to be stickler for short hair then ask yourself what is gonna happen when they find out...
Ask yourself what a twit you'll look when one weekend you run into your work colleagues without your wig...
Finally, I know about student life, for the most part you leave it broke and in debt... bin there done that, but don't compromise yourself by selling out to someone who will discriminate against you because they dont like long hair.
Bsides, your in California... Isn't that one of your more liberally minded states? (OK Electing a Republican Governor might have been a step back on that front, but still, compare it to the Mid West...)
Be Yourself!
Excellent point...not to mention the expense! You can't just walk into a wig department and expect to find something that looks good for work and is reasonably priced. To be realisitic looking, it should be custom fitted and hand-knotted. The price for these wigs can be very dear...into the thousands sometimes! I say give it a go without. Good luck!!
Hello,
I am a long-haired paralegal with a National Labor and Employment firm based in SF. When I started with this firm I was growing my hair out and had the same concerns as you did. I was in the awkward stage when I came to the interview and knew that the firm had a conservative reputation. My philosophy at the time was that if they like me they will hire me regardless. They did hire me, then my philosophy was if that ask me to cut my hair I will deal with it then. They never have asked. I am one of the few in the firm with long hair (mid shoulders now). During the first year I worked for the firm I attended an orientation for new attorneys and paralegals. One of the partners said during a presentation, "We don't care if you are gay or straight, long haired or short haired, we hired you because you are the best at what you do". At least it hasn't mattered here and I work in one of the more conservative markets that we serve, the Nevada market.
Again, my hair is to mid back. My managing partner does not hesitate to use me with any clients, or in court. When it is formal I wear it pulled back in a pony-tail. Most of the time at the office I wear it down. Once at a clients office in Las Vegas I was asked if I was in a band. I took it as a compliment.
Good luck.
I would worry more about the california bar exam, I hear it is very challengeing exam. Good Luck! Were in Cali are you? I am in the high desert of Southern Cali.
...TT. Yes, the bar pass rate for the last bar exam in CA for ABA certified schools was around 49%! Apparantly that's the lowest it has been in 17 years! Not too encouraging! I'm in Sacramento. We actually are thinking of moving to the San Diego area. Unfortunately, having grown up in Connecticut most of my life, the one thing I really miss from there is the residential privacy and low congestion. I really dispise the track homes here in CA which, in my opinion, causes many of the "California problems" people talk about...traffic congestion, smog, etc. The whether is so nice here, especially in San Diego, but the overcrowding is a real turn-off.
Is the area your talking about east of San Diego?
Actualy I am north of LA, inland High Desert. Look at a map, find the 14 fwy, and Lancaster/palmdale, and thats were I am.
I am use to the tract homes, I live in an area that is all about major new subdivisions. It is not too crowded here yet, but since we moved here from boston in the early 80's it has grown alot. I go down to LA were my dad lives and it is miserable to drive down there. Stoped more than moving. Sucks if you have a stick shift, and no a/c.
I have thought about law school myself over the years, real estate also. I am still thinking.
Don't stress about the hair..long hair is much more acceptable than you think, believe me. I've seen and heard of it in every profession so far, except the army...don't worry about it. Remember something..if people can't accept you for who you are, then f**k em.
I agree with your point to try interviewing to see how it goes before opting to wear a wig. The wig thing sounds a little risky to me in the way of securing honesty and trust when dealing with other people. Honesty and trust are two things you don't want to sacrifice when dealing with a prospective employer. Sooner or later someone will know and that can give your boss a totally turned around impression of you, not to mention a scarred reputation that may end up following you elswhere down the road. Be yourself right up front. Best policy! Go into those interviews with all your education and lively personality in tact. Who could ask for more?! Long hair is more accepted on a man these days than in the past anyway. I honestly believe you have nothing to worry about in the long hair acceptability department, bro. Peace and Good Luck whatever you decide, my friend!
Dress in your best interview suit, groom your hair in several styles, have someone take professionally posed photos in several angles and post them here.
I am sure we will have LOTS of advice (and encouragement) for you !
...a very good idea. I'll do some over the next couple of weeks and post them.
Don't worry about your hair - try to look beyond it and focus on
your skills, education, your desire to be the best at what you
trained for. It's only hair. :-) OK, so it took awhile to get it
but still - there are more important things to worry about.
Yes, you -may- find an interviewer that does not like long hairs -
OH WELL. There are just as many that don't like certain skin colors,
facial features, whatever. Interviewing is a two-way process, you
try to sell yourself to an employer, and in turn the employer tries
to sell the position.
Dress sharp, tidy up the hair as best you can then try to
forget about it.
Oh, and let us know how you do. One of us may need a lawyer
someday. :-)
First of all, many congratulations on your near-completion of law school (just don't do med mal!!).
Second, about the hair. Any wig that requires enough elastic to hide long hair really can't look good nor be comfortable. Think about the hot California days with a hot wig on..... And what if your friends want to go to the beach or pool and swim?? Then what?? I believe that you would dig more holes with a wig than fill them.
Third, I agree with the practice interviews. Throw on your Armani, slick your hair back (or some other hair style that you've seen) and just go. Don't give it a second thought. I have colleagues in my profession with long hair, short hair, and no hair and have never heard a single complaint from or about any.
Best wishes on your professional career.
ToddB
tabrownmd@adelphia.net
Sounds like a change is coming. Life is more then your hair. Think about the years it took to become a lawyer. As a client I would want my ,lawyer to look clean cut and able to fight what ever I need. Sorry to say this but unless your palnning on being in the office and never in the court room, a hair cut is coming.
Just my side
The bad news is that most law firms, especially larger ones, tend to be quite conservative. In a large law firm, you will be hired and periodically evaluated by people who possibly don't really know you or your work very well. Therefore, these people may tend to evaluate based on things that should not be very important, including such things as their opinion of appearances. In a smaller law firm, there is a higher likelihood that you will be judged more on substantive criteria and you will not be judged on qualities such as appearance because more (or most) of the people will actually know you and react more to the quality of your performance, and not care at all about things like your hair. When I finished law school and was interviewing (at large East Coast firms), I cut my hair shorter than it was in law school. After a while at larger firms, I realized that I didn't really like the whole large-firm culture, and moved to smaller firms. Once I was at a smaller firm, I grew my hair longer again (past my shoulders), and no one cared - in fact several clients said they liked it and, if they couldn't remember my name, would ask for the lawyer with the long hair. I now work for myself and am of counsel to another firm, and have kept my hair long - my clients don't seem to care, and I am happier. So, if your heart is set on a large-firm job (whether corporate, litigation, or whatever), you will probably have to face cutting your hair. But, you may not be happy at the type of firm that would consider your hair length to be important. There are options out there if you look, and it is possible to keep your hair long and have a job you like to. Good luck - I remember how awful interviewing can be, so try to keep yoor spirits up.
Thank you for the information. I was actually interested in working for a small firm because I want to get somewhat of a life back after the horrors of law school! Haha! You mentioned that you are self-employed and I was just curious as to where you're located, if you wouldn't mind telling? I'm glad to hear from an attorney with long hair. Also, you mentioned that your hair was shorter than in law school when you obtained your first position with an east coast firm (I'm originally from Connecticut). How long was your hair when you first interviewed?
I'm in Boston right now. When I was first interviewing, I was at Columbia and interviewed with New York and Boston firms (and a few in LA for fun). During much of law school my hair was around shoulder length (but it varied, sometimes a bit shorter). When I started interviewing, my hair wasn't quite to my shoulders, but I cut it to just over my collar for latter rounds of interviews. Somehow, it always took a long time between cuts - I could tell I really wanted it long, and, in retrospect, wish I'd been aware of and looked at different types of employment options so maybe I could have started out with a job that allowed me to be able to have mid-back length hair too.
I wanted to thank everyone for your responses. I remember a few years ago toying with the idea of growing my hair long when I was going to START law school, but I was concerned at how others might view me. I then found this board and it was because of this board that I decided to regrow my hair.
I know this interviewing process will be an even bigger challenge then just growing my hair out during law school. I'll probably be calling on you guys a bit more over the next few months!
The consensus seems to be to go for it and see how it goes before the wig thing, and I will do that. Your explanations made a lot of sense. I was asked to maybe take some pictures in my "professional" get-up and then post them here for feedback, and I think I'll do that as well within the next couple of weeks.
This board is one of the best things that has happened to me and I'm really thankful for you guys. Thanks again for all your support. Oh, and of course, I'll keep you updated on how the job hunt goes!
Leave the hair alone my friend ---
I'm not an attorney, but an IT professional. I have worked for large andsmall companies - yes small companies/firms care LESS about hair, and other things - they know you by name, not - "that long hair".
Today long hair is not the same as it was 30 or so years ago - much more acceptable. My wife works in a hotel that caters to traveling business people and blue colar workers stay there. She see's it all - long hair professionals "in ponytails" - looks more professional.
I wear mine down a bit past my shoulders and no sweat. When ever I went or will go on interviews - I put on a nice suit, hair in pony tail and off I go. If I'm not hired because somebody has a hang up on it FU&* them !! they would have a hang up on hiring a woman, somebody with a different skin color, religion, etc..... you MUST be hired on your personality. Yes being washed, clean/pressed clothes, is very important - hair MUST never matter.
Just dress nice, pull the hair in a pony and go for it. You WILL be hired - maybe a few interviews, but whatever. Don't sell yourself - do what makes you happy.
Peace,
Bob
...for those words. They were very inspiring. I will go for it.