Science graduate w/long hair - do I need a haircut for a job?

Icarian

long post ahead!

I'm a 23 year old Science graduate. I finished college in May 2008, and (besides a 2 month night shift stint at Dunnes Stores) since then have had trouble finding work. I've been applying for pHD studentships, research/lab jobs etc. I've plenty of great interviews, and have been called back for second, even third round interviews, but always seem to lose out to more qualified/experienced competition.

Recently, I found out about a local laboraratory, which may take me on, there wasn't and won't be any job advertisement, so competition isn't an issue, and apparantly the lab staff were impressed with my CV.

My whole family have been trying to coerce me into getting my haircut short for the job possibility, which I am extreemely unhappy about. I've never been very confident about my appearance, but lately, for the first time in my life, I'm happy with my appearance. I cut my hair once two years ago, an it was a serious knock to my confidence, I just didn't feel like myself, so grew it back out.

The first two photos were taken today, the others are several years old.

http://www.okcupid.com/profile/IcarianX/pictures/

Now I know this is probably too long for a jobplace, and I'm willing to compromise, I would consider getting this style as modelled by Johnny Depp

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bkFIPLIOGL8/SbqxcKICgdI/AAAAAAAAesQ/sbbnN7USKcI/s320/johnny-depp-02.jpg


but my family keep tgiving out to me and say that I have absolutely no chance unless I get it cut properly short. Personally I think it's b/s, i worked in a lab before part time, and there were two guys with really long hair (tied back of course), but of course, things are different now, jobs are golddust, and every advantage counts.

So I want to ask for this boards advice. Am I fine as I am, considering its lab based, if not, would the second haircut be acceptable, or should I just give in and chop it all off?
I know some of you may think I'm being ridiculous, and making a fuss over nothing, but to me it means alot, especially to my confidence and identity.

AARRRGH

I think you should cut it. Whether you think this is ridiculous or not doesn't really matter, as you never know what prejudices the interviewer will have.

You're not an ugly guy whatsoever, so you don't need to worry about people being able to see your face, etc.

Personally I think this sort of haircut would suit you: http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee136/suwarnaadi/mattLanterHairstyle.jpg

ixoy

I would've thought the second would be acceptable in the workplace - I know I've seen it on guys in my workplace and I'm working in a formal environment.

However, it may be different at interview stage when you have to go one step further. How about you cut your hair further while seeking a job? When you get the job, you could probably slow let it grow back to a level you're more comfortable with as you become accustomed to the work environment.

Icarian

thanks for your input aaargh!

my brother actually showed me that picture and suggested i go for that leangth. personally i don't like it at all, but i may have too.

I have also considered saying at the interview that i'd be willing to cut it if it's an issue.

It would be a shame to cut it only to find out thatthey would have been fine with long hair

btw, having long hair isn't for the purpose of hiding my face, it's a more personal thing

Icarian

ixoy wrote: »

I would've thought the second would be acceptable in the workplace - I know I've seen it on guys in my workplace and I'm working in a formal environment.

However, it may be different at interview stage when you have to go one step further. How about you cut your hair further while seeking a job? When you get the job, you could probably slow let it grow back to a level you're more comfortable with as you become accustomed to the work environment.

hmm... thats actually good news, labs aren't dreadfully formal from my experience, so if its acceptable in a formal workplace, then it might be fine in a lab too, I guess its a gamble...

cronos

You may have to cut it. Or you might have to wear a hairnet in the lab/production environments.

Might be worth looking what the FDA have to say on these sorts of things. Your hair might damage the product. In which case it will be seen as a bad thing. Not because they don't like long hair. They wont care about that. Its just the possibility of it damaging the product.

Ph3n0m

why not just ask them?

cruizer101

I don't really think it should be an issue.
Make sure you give it a brush and have it tidy looking, back from your face and it should be ok.
Also ask them in the interview is it and issue for a lab job, would you need to wear hair net or is tying it back ok.

leeroybrown

If I were in your position I wouldn't cut it unless I needed to. For the interview just get it trimmed a little so that it's very neat and wear it tied back. It's also worth bearing in mind that if you take the job with short hair then they can force you to keep it short whereas if you take it with long hair you can keep it like that.

Long hair won't be a problem in a lab environment as suitable nets and covers will be provided if required. Can you imagine them telling women to cut their hair short?

I'd also be careful about asking them. If you ask you'll most likely be asking HR who might well tell you to cut, then employ you only for you to find out that there are plenty of long haired guys there and no one mind. It's a bit like being told by HR that the dress code is smart casual only to find out that the employees are all wearing jeans, combats and long shorts. If you can ask a member of the lab staff about it then you might get a straight answer.

j4vier

depends really on the type of lab ur applyin to really!
some places might be more strict than other, and even at the interview stage remember that its all about impressions
however i wouldnt cut it, in the end u want to work in a place that u ll be confortable with , so to do that they have to like you

AARRRGH

j4vier wrote: »

at the interview stage remember that its all about impressions

And a lot of interviewers make up their mind about whether to hire you or not within the first few seconds.

If they have any prejudices whatsoever against long hair (which a lot of employers do) it may not matter how good your interview skills are.

As others have said, it really depends on the sort of job you are going for (e.g. obviously a music shop won't care about you having long hair), but if the job is going to be in any way customer facing, it's safest to chop it.

BroomBurner

I agree with ARGHH, for the purpose of a job interview, no matter what the job is, you should always look your absolute best. Don't give a possible employer one single reason to mark you down before you open your mouth. Once you have a job, you can regrow your hair.

Also, if you feel like you "need" long hair, you might want to look in to having that aspect addressed also. You may be a little old to need what sounds like a security blanket. I'm sorry if that sounds a little harsh, it's just that I would be willing to believe that your confidence has little or nothing to do with your hair, but more a mindset, which you'll be able to change. That can only further help your career.

Sorry for going a little PI there...

leeroybrown

BroomBurner wrote: »

Once you have a job, you can regrow your hair.

That's not quite true. If an employer hires someone when they have short hair they can legitimately force them to keep it short as part of a dress/appearance code. Conversely, if they hire someone who has long hair they've accepted them as such and will find it a lot more difficult to impose a new dress/appearance code on them.

dazberry

Icarian wrote: »

My whole family have been trying to coerce me into getting my haircut short for the job possibility, which I am extreemely unhappy about. I've never been very confident about my appearance, but lately, for the first time in my life, I'm happy with my appearance. I cut my hair once two years ago, an it was a serious knock to my confidence, I just didn't feel like myself, so grew it back out.

I've been there Icarian, and definitely do not get it cut if you feel this way. My first job after college was in a bank, and I had very long hair. No one gave a monkeys. My last contract extension was in a different department and suddenly the woman boss had a (baseless) problem and the extension was subject to getting my hair cut - all for 2 months!!! I couldn't bring myself to get it all cut off, but never the less in the end I was so miserable.

I grew my hair back but it never really got back to the way it was. The reason I've bolded woman boss is because the few times there were issue with my hair it was always from female bosses for some reason. I've a 4 now and would never go back to long hair (well at my age it'd be a bit difficult anyway) - but seriously, from what you've said you'll be miserable so just don't ever consider it. If it means you don't get the job well so be it.

D.

kravmaga

So I want to ask for this boards advice. Am I fine as I am, considering its lab based, if not, would the second haircut be acceptable, or should I just give in and chop it all off?
I know some of you may think I'm being ridiculous, and making a fuss over nothing, but to me it means alot, especially to my confidence and identity.[/QUOTE]

@OP

I think if you get it cut to shoulder length and then tie it back , it should be fine.

Thats it..... wear a nice clean ironed shirt and suit for intervew and smile...with firm hand shake...

Let me know how you get on at the intervew

vector

We've all had long or some other type of "socially unacceptable" hair over the years... but times move on, and today long hair on men is just not "in" AFAIK so to answer the OPs question, yes I think you should cut it, I mean if I was you I would cut it

Icarian

Thanks everyone for your replies, i'm getting some pretty varied responses here!

as several of you have said, getting it tidied up, and trimmed to above shoulder leangth would be no problem for me, i wouldn't mind it at all, but if the interviewer does have prejudices, then shoulder leangth may not be enough.

my hair is in no way a safety blanket, or a source of comfort. It's just the real me, so rhat when I look in the mirror, I see the person that I feel I really am, which might sound cheesy! I'm also big into the alt rock scene, friends with musicains and such, and though they may not care, I just feel better looking the part, and its undeniabe that a positive sef image results in greater confidence, which in turn, often results in greater success.

I hadn't considered that in getting a job with short hair, I may be forced to keep it that way, which would definitely be a concern...

@dazerry, you're case is very interesting, I've often found women less accepting too... I know you can't generalise, but might this be because they themselves find it unattractive/un masculine? hmm...

at the moment I'm still waiting on news, I have been contacted by the lab, but an interview hasn't been arranged yet, and very little information is available about the lab, though I think a husband/wife couple own it, so their personal feelings on the matter will be the determining factor...

the lab, afaik does food and water testing, not exactly the area i wanted to get into, but it would provide some great experience, and be a first step in a career, at a time when jobs are very hard to find, and heaven knows when the next opportunity will arise...

At the end of the day, it's a gamble, do i cut the hair, to make the best possible first impression? Will it affect my confidence, and in turn, the interview itself? Would I resent the job because of it. Or do i just try and be the neatest, tidiest, smartest, and best prepared Icarian I can be?! and hope they accept me as I am but risk not getting the job?

I'll think about this some more, thanks everyone for all your input! it's good to have as wide a range of opinions as possible!

tribulus

OP are you based in Dublin?

If so are you in or around the D24 area. Is the lab aswell?

If so give me a PM.

Icarian

No, I'm based in Wexford, but if you have any information on Dublin based labs, I would greatly appreciate it! I'd like to move back to Dublin if possible

universe777

vector wrote: »

but times move on, and today long hair on men is just not "in" AFAIK so to answer the OPs question, yes I think you should cut it, I mean if I was you I would cut it

In?? Are you a follower of fashion? Do you modify your haircut to suit trends?
Whatever suits the individual!

universe777

OP, I have had long hair for the last 14 years, I have had many jobs, been offered many more, a top level banking job (i turned down, but not for that reason), Clean room manufacturing jobs, retail, and now for the last 2 years office based.
You should go along to the interview with your hair trimmed, not cut off completely, just trimmed at the ends, and tied back, you probably won't get the job if you don't tie it back.
You have to remember the HR person interviewing you isn't a technical based person, i.e. like lab people & engineers wearing casual clothes and hairstyles.
They work in an office, and look professional, they are really looking for you to make an effort at the interview. That means suit or shirt & slacks, clean shaven and neat hair.
Long hair is only an obstacle to employment if you make it.
I think with a lab job also, you will be required to tie it back and wear a hair net/hat..

the_syco

Icarian wrote: »

I cut my hair once two years ago, an it was a serious knock to my confidence, I just didn't feel like myself, so grew it back out.

Pretty much says it all. As interviewers look for a confident person, cutting your hair before the interview may not be the best idea.

gline

Im in the same shoes OP. Its a hard gamble. Do you know anyone working in a lab in the area you want to get in? Ask around and see if there are any there with long hair.

Theres 2 other points: What if you do cut your hair and still dont get a job in a lab for a good while, you will feeel really bad.
On the other side of the coin, what if you go for the interview with long hair and dont get it, you maybe stuck with the thought in your head that "I didnt get the job because of my long hair".

Which situation could you live with easier?

Personally I wouldnt cut your hair unless you were going for a job that you knew was more based on personal appearence, like jobs where you have to deal directly with customers/clients, like sales etc.

I think it is crazy being judged on the length of your hair in a job where you arent customer facing, but unfortunatly this does happen and especially now with so many people looking for the same positions.

it really then comes down to how attached to your long hair are you? Can you sacrifice it for the "possibility" of increasing your chances of getting a job in a lab? just my 2c

damnyanks

There is nothing wrong with long hair or beards... as long as they are maintained to a high standard. While your hair is perfectly fine, it is not maintained. You need to be more womanish about it. Look at someone like Jennifer Annistan or wahtever, they have long hair but its maintained well.

So if you are unwilling to put serious effort into maintaining it then I'd go for the slightly shorter one like in which you posted.

First impressions are key for when you are being interviewed. I've a fro, I'll gel it up to keep it respectable when I go into work otherwise I'll just let it lay.

sunnyjim

To be honest, long hair looks childish on most men over the age of 18. Your employers may think the same! I haven't been working in labs too long but I haven't come across any blokes with long hair. Actually, in any place I've worked, no blokes 18+ have had long hair. If you want to stick out from the crowd, keep it to your experience and credentials, not your appearance.

Ph3n0m

sunnyjim wrote: »

To be honest, long hair looks childish on most men over the age of 18. Your employers may think the same! I haven't been working in labs too long but I haven't come across any blokes with long hair. Actually, in any place I've worked, no blokes 18+ have had long hair. If you want to stick out from the crowd, keep it to your experience and credentials, not your appearance.

While I dont work in a lab, I do have a long hair (actually probably longer then the OP) - however I have never been judged on the length of my hair, or tattoos or piercings - its always been based on my capabilities and experience.

And given that I am a manager of a team where I work right now - as long as I look presentable everything is fine.

gline

sunnyjim wrote: »

To be honest, long hair looks childish on most men over the age of 18. Your employers may think the same! I haven't been working in labs too long but I haven't come across any blokes with long hair. Actually, in any place I've worked, no blokes 18+ have had long hair. If you want to stick out from the crowd, keep it to your experience and credentials, not your appearance.

What country are you living in? Long hair on men isnt that uncommon. In nearly all the places I have worked in over the past 6-7 years there has been more than 1 guy with long hair, some in management positions or higher. in fact one was my manager for a period of nearly a year. Long hair has nothing to do with sticking out from the crowd for most people, it is just personal preference, like the colour of your shirt etc.