Getting hired with long hair...

[Mr. Lennon]

I grew out my hair awhile ago because I have always wanted to, plus it would improve my stage presence (I'm a musician). Now that it is long and curly I have received nothing but good compliments from everyone I know, plus random strangers too.

That's great and all, but I'm worried about being discriminated by potential employers for having longer than normal hair. I have an interview tomorrow with ATT wireless for a sales position. Many people have told me that it is a non issue, and that my interviewer will most likely be focused on my personality and qualifications. That is probably true, but I still can't help if they might subconsciously get the wrong impression about me.

How would you react to a potential employee who's qualifications meet and exceed what you are looking for, but has long hair?

 

[lxskllr]

I wouldn't care. As long as you were neat, presented yourself well, and had the necessary qualifications I'd consider you for the job. Course, I have long hair too :^D

 

[PrinceofWands]

I personally notice nothing about appearance, beyond some effort to at least try and look presentable. In my experience how people look is only a measure of how far they'll be willing to climb up your ass to get what they want, or just how selfish/egocentric/narcissistic they are. Either way, I don't want those types around me.

As for the hair, I'm biased. I prefer long hair on just about everybody. I only cut mine for the military, and if I hadn't lost my ability to grow a decent head of it, I'd still have mine ass length today.

 

[rcpratt]

Most people will judge you subconsciously. But I wouldn't change it.

 

[Azraele]

It's hard to say without pictures, but as long as you present yourself well, it shouldn't be too much of an issue.

 

[BoomerD]

For a position in sales, it'll depend on your area and how conservative it is. SHOULDN'T make any difference...but it often does.

I knew that looking for work as a bookkeeper/accounting clerk, I'd be dealing with very conservative people in an already conservative area, so I went from this:

to this:

and even shaved off the goatee to look a bit more conservative...and the work situation here is so bad that it really hasn't mattered. Not many jobs to be had...and 30 people applying for each position...some days, I regret cutting off the hair.

 

[OutHouse]

you should see the hair of some of the programmers i work with....

 

[BurnItDwn]

Ehh ... as long as you're showered, and not dressed like a slob, they shouldn't discriminate. Maybe put it in a ponytail so it doesn't look messy or sloppy.

 

[Sumguy]

Meh, looks fine.

 

[lxskllr]

you should see the hair of some of the programmers i work with....

 

[Turin39789]

I grew out my hair awhile ago because I have always wanted to, plus it would improve my stage presence (I'm a musician). Now that it is long and curly I have received nothing but good compliments from everyone I know, plus random strangers too.

That's great and all, but I'm worried about being discriminated by potential employers for having longer than normal hair. I have an interview tomorrow with ATT wireless for a sales position. Many people have told me that it is a non issue, and that my interviewer will most likely be focused on my personality and qualifications. That is probably true, but I still can't help if they might subconsciously get the wrong impression about me.

How would you react to a potential employee who's qualifications meet and exceed what you are looking for, but has long hair?

Just realized I have barely any pics of myself:

I find it's easiest to just pull it back in a ponytail, makes it presentable and more businessy.

For a position in sales, it'll depend on your area and how conservative it is. SHOULDN'T make any difference...but it often does.

I knew that looking for work as a bookkeeper/accounting clerk, I'd be dealing with very conservative people in an already conservative area, so I went from this:

to this:

and even shaved off the goatee to look a bit more conservative...and the work situation here is so bad that it really hasn't mattered. Not many jobs to be had...and 30 people applying for each position...some days, I regret cutting off the hair.

NOOOO! Boomer is dead. Long live Boomer. You look mean now.

 

[DanDaManJC]

I think you'd be fine... your hair looks neat and classy -- doesn't look sloppy at all. There may be some kinda corporate policy about hair, but it's really about the overall package and keeping their sales people presentable over nitpicking rules.

 

[Red Dawn]

For a position in sales, it'll depend on your area and how conservative it is. SHOULDN'T make any difference...but it often does.

I knew that looking for work as a bookkeeper/accounting clerk, I'd be dealing with very conservative people in an already conservative area, so I went from this:

to this:

and even shaved off the goatee to look a bit more conservative...and the work situation here is so bad that it really hasn't mattered. Not many jobs to be had...and 30 people applying for each position...some days, I regret cutting off the hair.

You went from the Old School Biker Look to the New School Biker look.

 

[Turin39789]

You went from the Old School Biker Look to the New School Biker look.

Its the bifocals, right?

 

[RKS]

Sorry, I wouldn't hire you.

 

[SaDiZTiKStyLeZ]

I used to have long hair but I offed it to have better chance of getting a job. But I was just getting sick of it anyway. After mom chased away my gf of 8 years, I just didn't wanna pay to get my hair did every so often. More cost effective to drop on a cheapo razor and shave my head myself.
It just looks more professional IMO.

 

[IGBT]

greatly depends on your competition in your field of interest. If a clean cut corporate image is whats in place you won't fit in. What ever the case may be if you talk to recruiters there's nothing more unsightly then long hair on a male in a new hire situation. And right behind that is a gray haired pony tail male. Good Luck. You'll need it. And if you visible tat's forget it.

 

[Jeff7]

Spot the IT guy.

(Original thread.)

 

[SaDiZTiKStyLeZ]

There was this kid I went to school for a while. He had dreds, and a decent paying job, in a warehouse for a while. Until he got fired. Then he complained about difficulty of getting a job, but got offended when I suggested him to cut his hair.
He ended up dropping out afaik.

 

[dfuze]

While long it doesn't look messy so I don't think it would hinder your chances

 

[thepd7]

I grew out my hair awhile ago because I have always wanted to, plus it would improve my stage presence (I'm a musician). Now that it is long and curly I have received nothing but good compliments from everyone I know, plus random strangers too.

That's great and all, but I'm worried about being discriminated by potential employers for having longer than normal hair. I have an interview tomorrow with ATT wireless for a sales position. Many people have told me that it is a non issue, and that my interviewer will most likely be focused on my personality and qualifications. That is probably true, but I still can't help if they might subconsciously get the wrong impression about me.

How would you react to a potential employee who's qualifications meet and exceed what you are looking for, but has long hair?

Just realized I have barely any pics of myself:

you're in california? You'll be fine.

 

[0roo0roo]

Your qualifications will need to be that much better to compensate if you have competition.

 

[Mr. Lennon]

Well T-Mobile called me in for a interview today (I applied with them too). Store manager loved my hair lol. I hope the ATT store manager feels the same.

 

[nerp]

Depends on the job. At a T-Mobile store, it can fly. If you're looking for something in a more high pressure or corporate environment, i'd get something shorter and neater.

 

[zerocool84]

you should see the hair of some of the programmers i work with....

Seriously..................Programming guys are some of the weirdest people on the planet. I guess it's cus they don't go out much.