Long hair on men and the workplace

Icarian

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.

LegacyUser

Honestly if I were you I would cut it. Your hair seems to be really fine and gets caught by the breeze ant the stray hairs make it look untidy, therefore unprofessional. Trim it up to halfway down the neck and put some sort of wax in it to style it and I think it would look great.

I also have to ask are you balding? If that is the case, shave it all off.

Ickle Magoo

Depends on whose hiring you.

Some people are going to be sticklers for the short, back & side & wearing a suit for interview & others will be much more laid back.

Anything that resembles JD is always good in my book :pac: - but would you really like it & as you would still have long hair to anyone against the idea, is it really worth it?

Would a better compromise not be to tie it back and make the style you like best neater?

Best of luck, btw!

Icarian

Ickle Magoo wrote: »

Depends on whose hiring you.

Some people are going to be sticklers for the short, back & side & wearing a suit for interview & others will be much more laid back.

Anything that resembles JD is always good in my book :pac: - but would you really like it & as you would still have long hair to anyone against the idea, is it really worth it?

Would a better compromise not be to tie it back and make the style you like best neater?

Best of luck, btw!

thanks for the feedback, I have considered just tying it back, but my family say it just won't work, because of my hair colour/complexion, and tbh I agree, pony tails look weird on me! I think dark haired guys, and guys who can grow beards (not me ) can pull it off better

tbh, even the johnny depp one is a little short for my liking, but it's a compromise.

Ickle Magoo

Does it matter if it looks weird on you, if they like you & your CV? Is aesthetics really important for your job?

I worked in bars while I studied - okay obviously not the same as an interview or lab work - but the point is everyone had to wear their hair up if long & it was just a given in that environment that regardless of how ill-suited people are to pony-tails, it's only because of the work situ that their hair is up.

Why would your family be trying to coerce you to do anything at 23? I'd go with what makes you happy.

Icarian

Ickle Magoo wrote: »

Does it matter if it looks weird on you, if they like you & your CV? Is aesthetics really important for your job?

I worked in bars while I studied - okay obviously not the same as an interview or lab work - but the point is everyone had to wear their hair up if long & it was just a given in that environment that regardless of how ill-suited people are to pony-tails, it's only because of the work situ that their hair is up.

Why would your family be trying to coerce you to do anything at 23? I'd go with what makes you happy.

I think my family just want whats best for me. Ive been at home for a year, doing very little, while life is passing me by, and they think that I'll be better off, and happier with a job than with hair. Things are tough at home, my dad was self employed (roofer), but now has no work, and my mam (civil servant) is getting a large paycut, so they're epecially conscious of the importance of finding a job

Personally I don't think its an either/or situation, and believe that whether or not i get the job, my hair won't be the deciding factor, so why make an unnecessary sacrifice? Well it's nice that someone agrees with me, I just hope we're the ones who are right!

puglover

TBH looking at it with my interviewer cap on it looks messy. I wouldn't recommend anyone(male or female) with hair that long attend for an interview without tying it up. I probably wouldn't like to see it in the work place either. Nor would I like to see the messed up do Johnny Depp has got going on.

It's fine for your spare time but you need to look a bit more presentable for work.

Icarian

oh, I would have no intention of going into an interview, without having my hair tied back (if i don't cut it)

I just thought the J Depp one might be more acceptable, if i had to cut it shorter, though at that leangth, it probably couldnt be tied back

would you mind telling me where you work puglover?

puglover

I'm a HR Manager in the manufacturing industry

Icarian

HR manager?

hmm... so i guess you might be involved with inteviews?

Eve_Dublin

Icarian wrote: »

oh, I would have no intention of going into an interview, without having my hair tied back (if i don't cut it)

I just thought the J Depp one might be more acceptable, if i had to cut it shorter, though at that leangth, it probably couldnt be tied back

would you mind telling me where you work puglover?

Hey OP...I've some experience in this area and unfortunately having long hair worn down is not acceptable in an interview no matter how far behind the scenes you'll be working. As boring as it sounds, you have to conform to certain standards. As Puglover said, you have to tie your hair up neatly (and make sure whatever you use to tie it up is inconspicuous and clean) or else cut it off. I think you'll have to choose looking a bit "weird" over having your hair down. You probably THINK you look weird because you're not used to seeing yourself with it tied up? You are judged by your personal appearance in an interview and I suppose some people, particularly of a certain generation would have certain opinions on long hair and presume you're a certain kind of person....old-fashioned views, but hey, that's the way it goes.

Saying that, I worked with students and I noticed a hell of a lot of Science students had long hair...what do others do??

Carsinian Thau

I'm not claiming to be an expert on employment matters but in my opinion, I think that the Johnny Depp look would probably be that bit better for job application.

You could always let it grow back once you have got a job.

grizzly

Carsinian Thau wrote: »

You could always let it grow back once you have got a job.

+1 It's easy to not hire someone for having long hair, but it's very hard to fire someone for having long hair (esp if it's not specified in any employee handbook).

wylo

if you really believe cutting your hair will knock your confidence then I wouldnt cut it for the interview. Itll only make things worse, but as you know yourself, make sure to tie it back, and make sure you shave and have a decent clean suit on. Also a bit of a trim , like in the second pic will do no harm.

You said yourself, the reason you havent got a job yet was because you've lost out to more experienced qualified people. If your hair was really an issue you wouldnt be getting second or third round interviews.

I believe the kind of work your involved in puts the likes of your hair at the backburner so long its neat. I think they would care more about your credentials from college etc. I would be saying the opposite if you were going into sales, business or even any office work. So long as you look presentable and not scruffy at an interview itll be fine.

If your really feeling confident you could even mention to them in an interview that if the hair is an issue you'd be willing to cut(once youve the job you can decide yourself whether to bother or not).

You have to look at what kind of work your family do also. I know they are looking out for you but you may have more knowledge than them in this particular industry.

Ickle Magoo

Icarian wrote: »

I think my family just want whats best for me. Ive been at home for a year, doing very little, while life is passing me by, and they think that I'll be better off, and happier with a job than with hair. ...

Oh I didn't mean they wouldn't, sorry if that's how it came across. I meant do they want you to get your haircut anyway, regardless of interview. Is their coercion wholly down to concern & not because they want you to have shorter hair generally, if it's the latter, I'd just tie it neatly back & go for the weird look.

Icarian

Eve_Dublin wrote: »

Hey OP...I've some experience in this area and unfortunately having long hair worn down is not acceptable in an interview no matter how far behind the scenes you'll be working. As boring as it sounds, you have to conform to certain standards. As Puglover said, you have to tie your hair up neatly (and make sure whatever you use to tie it up is inconspicuous and clean) or else cut it off. I think you'll have to choose looking a bit "weird" over having your hair down. You probably THINK you look weird because you're not used to seeing yourself with it tied up? You are judged by your personal appearance in an interview and I suppose some people, particularly of a certain generation would have certain opinions on long hair and presume you're a certain kind of person....old-fashioned views, but hey, that's the way it goes.

Saying that, I worked with students and I noticed a hell of a lot of Science students had long hair...what do others do??

I'm only in contact with a few people, they all found pHD research, and as you probaby know, long hair, even dreads are more acceptable in college, than elsewhere

@ grizzly & carsinian, yeah, If I do cut it, I fully intend to grow it back, I'm gad you think the J Depp look is okay, I wasn't quite sure!

@ wylo, yeah I think my mam, as a librarian, my dad as a roofer, and my bro as an apprentie electrician, might have sightly biased views, and maybe not understand the typical scientist style (or lack thereof!)
I like your idea of asking the interviewer if it is an issue, that way whatever decision I make, at least I'll know for sure if it was necessary! Of course, I will get it tidied up, at the very least, before going into an interview

@ ickle magoo, no worries, I didn't think you meant anything bad by it!
My dad and bro don't understand why I want to have long hair, but my mam thinks shoulder leangth, likw the JD do is nice, but might still sabotage my chances

Soundman

Personally, having long hair myself which I always have tied back anyway, if I found myself in your situation, I would go to the interview with it tied back and neat, looking presentable. Do the interview and ask them at the end what their policies are on having long hair in their workplace. If they say that they expect the person filling the role to have short hair or shorter than you or I have, you are then in a position to tell them if you are willing to cut it for the position if they are offering it to you.

Just my 2c.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

If it's tied back, I wouldn't see a problem, but then I'm not the employer. Although two things in your favour: 1) It's not an office; and 2) (I assume!) it's not customer facing.

If it does becaome an issue, it might be an idea to post in the fashion and appearance forum to see if they have any ideas?

dudara

People wouldn't give a monkey's what you look like if you're applying for a PhD position - as long as you don't smell . You should have seen some of the haircuts while I was doing mine.

But things are different out in the private sector. I'd make the effort to tidy that haircut. The Johnny Depp style cut would definitely work as a compromise and would also have the benefit of updating your look.

Oh The Humanity

Don't cut your hair. It makes no difference to your ability to be able to do any job.

Don't mind your family, they may be thinking of the old days years ago.

Just tie it neatly in a pony.

cafecolour

I doubt it's the hair - it's just a tight environment, stick in there. I'd say your family is just jumping on the hair as they don't like it

Obviously make sure it is up and clean looking as many have said. If it's too all over the place, it gives a smart but possibly not that organized feel.

I worked and hired in IT for about 10+ years. I'd guess it may be similar. Too unkempt would be a put off, but honestly too clean cut would also be a put off in that world - it's almost like you're over compensating for something. These were internal and internet-ish sort of positions - anything client facing or in an older company (ie IT in financial services for instance) would be a completely different ball game.

Rather than fixate on the hair, you might be better off making sure your interview skills are up to par. Do some practice interviews with friends in similar field. Make sure you are up on the latest research in your field. And make sure you research the company you are applying to - any sort of "I saw you were working on this which I'm interested in/have experience in..." is a big help.

The Recliner

This exact thread is on the go in Work and Jobs

If people want to reply to it they can reply there

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055659999

Op please don't start multiple threads on the same topic in different forums