long hair and a professional job
Posted by Hank on June 30, 2002 at 15:51:42: Previous Next
Can you still have long hair and be professional?
any time I was told to 'look professional' my employer also stipulated that I get a nice short Man's haircut.
any of you ever have this happen and have any of you gotten around such obstacles and do you think the business world is changing it's views of long hair on Men?
Re: long hair and a professional job
Posted by P Bu on June 30, 2002 at 16:51:43: Previous Next
In Reply to: long hair and a professional job posted by Hank on June 30, 2002 at 15:51:42:
: Can you still have long hair and be professional?
As an attorney with long hair, I certainly think so. I should note, however, that I invariably wear my hair in ponytail.
Re: long hair and a professional job
Posted by Mark on July 01, 2002 at 05:54:20: Previous Next
In Reply to: Re: long hair and a professional job posted by P Bu on June 30, 2002 at 16:51:43:
I think it's more to do with skills really. I am a full-time student, but I have worked in customer services as a part time sales advisor for the last three years and I haven't ever had any problems. In agreement with P Bu, I agree that hair in a ponytail is probably your best bet, but not too long. My ponytail is about six inches long and generally stays tidy.
Re: long hair and a professional job
Posted by Andy on June 30, 2002 at 18:54:53: Previous Next
In Reply to: long hair and a professional job posted by Hank on June 30, 2002 at 15:51:42:
I'm still in school and I work as checkout person (not sure what american call them...cashier maybe) and i have a suspicion that my boss is gradually trying to impart on me the fact that my hair looks 'unruly'
as for professionals with long hair...rarely do you see females with (extremely) long hair not in ponytails, and i think that is pretty much the standard.
Re: long hair and a professional job
Posted by RedRocker on July 03, 2002 at 22:51:04: Previous Next
In Reply to: Re: long hair and a professional job posted by Andy on June 30, 2002 at 18:54:53:
For Andy. One thing you can do at work (if your hair is long enough):
You can take the hair and pull it back as if to make a ponytail. Now, divide the hair in half ("fold" upwards, then down) -- then tie it in a tail. If you do this just a couple of times it will look like you have a very short ponytail. I've done this for job interviews when I was about 10 years younger.
The main question:
Yes, I've had to cut my hair for jobs. Being nieve, I accepted this. However, it's still discrimination and enforces a double-standard. I'll NEVER do it again. I would fight it. Of course, if it's in some sort of policy manual (that you agreed to) -- you probably don't have much choice.
I'm a computer and electronics technician. In this line of work (here in CA) it is never seems to be an issue.
Re: long hair and a professional job
Posted by john on June 30, 2002 at 20:27:37: Previous Next
In Reply to: long hair and a professional job posted by Hank on June 30, 2002 at 15:51:42:
I am a teacher with 6 years worth of long locks--generally loose but tied in a ponytail when humid. No problems!!!
Re: long hair and a professional job
Posted by Robert on June 30, 2002 at 21:41:30: Previous Next
In Reply to: Re: long hair and a professional job posted by john on June 30, 2002 at 20:27:37:
I am also a teacher with two years of growth. No problems. In fact, I think while most of my colleauges are clearly more conservative than I, they find my hair intriguing. The kids are clearly interested in it... Their parents are just glad their kids like to be in my classes! All that to say: I really don't think it's about hair. It's about who you are and what kind of job you do. Not denying that some bosses can be assholes. But mine is not.
Robert
: I am a teacher with 6 years worth of long locks--generally loose but tied in a ponytail when humid. No problems!!!
Re: long hair and a professional job
Posted by Mick on July 01, 2002 at 12:16:07: Previous Next
In Reply to: Re: long hair and a professional job posted by john on June 30, 2002 at 20:27:37:
I am also a teacher (Science, junior high) with long hair (25 inches, measured from front hairline). I consider myself a professional (Masters Degree +20) I received a lot more comments while it was growing, and prior to being able to tie it back. I rarely wear it down at work.
I have not had a problem with parents, etc.. I get mixed reactions from the kids.
Re: long hair and a professional job
Posted by MG on July 01, 2002 at 03:05:25: Previous Next
In Reply to: long hair and a professional job posted by Hank on June 30, 2002 at 15:51:42:
: Can you still have long hair and be professional?
: any time I was told to 'look professional' my employer also stipulated that I get a nice short Man's haircut.
: any of you ever have this happen and have any of you gotten around such obstacles and do you think the business world is changing it's views of long hair on Men?
I am an engineer with long hair. That should qualify as professional
I think. Also my hair is in a ponytail most of the time.
Provisional yes
Posted by RedWind on July 01, 2002 at 18:23:12: Previous Next
In Reply to: long hair and a professional job posted by Hank on June 30, 2002 at 15:51:42:
: Can you still have long hair and be professional?
: any time I was told to 'look professional' my employer also stipulated that I get a nice short Man's haircut.
: any of you ever have this happen and have any of you gotten around such obstacles and do you think the business world is changing it's views of long hair on Men?
I think it really depends on the industry. I'm an engineer, and have worked in both healthcare and (presently) the federal government. Neither seem to be much concerned with hair length. And I've known lots of longhaired IT professionals. On the other hand, if you're working in, say, banking or finance, you might not have the same leeway.
Re: long hair and a professional job
Posted by Philip on July 02, 2002 at 00:17:14: Previous Next
In Reply to: long hair and a professional job posted by Hank on June 30, 2002 at 15:51:42:
: Can you still have long hair and be professional?
Yes! Although I work in the arts with mid-back length hair, I wear it in a pony tail (usually with a braid) at times when I need to appear more conservative.
However, I have encountered other men with long hair in a variety of professions. As others have state on this board, it often depends more on how a person conducts himself in the workplace more often than the length of his hair.
I do think that the first tendency of any employer is to suggest a haircut, but I think gradually society's point of view on long hair is changing.
Good luck!
Re: long hair and a professional job
Posted by Terry on July 04, 2002 at 06:20:50: Previous Next
In Reply to: long hair and a professional job posted by Hank on June 30, 2002 at 15:51:42:
Can you still have long hair and be professional?
The answer is clearly yes. But extremes from the daily norm suggest individuality over corporate norms - not always welcomed in some corporate environments. There was a time when almost every criminal lawyer in town had long hair in the 70s and 80s - now rarely seen. Never seen a Supreme Court Judge with long hair.
People generally lump long hairs like other minority groups with specific bias, but judged individually, most individuals will give the person a chance based on the bigger picture. Unfortunately, job interviews are tricky. The interviewer has only a small amount of time and a small window of knowledge on which to base the decision to hire or not. The interview's judgment and reputation is on the line, too. It is usually done on the side of caution. I would suggest conservative hair, say just over back of the shirt collar. Once established in the firm - well-liked, good work - expand your horizons. Are the career opportunities in this firm worth cutting my hair? - is the question. To some, yes. To others, no. I can count on one hand the number of long hairs I see in a day - besides me!