Is it professional

[Keebler Elf]

Just put it in a ponytail and if you're good at what you do people will get over it.

Remember that a lot of the comments in this thread are from people who just don't like long hair on a guy.

 

[Aardvark154]

As a number of others have already said; if people are already knocking at your door asking if you will come work for them, you can perhaps indulge your "counter culture" desires. If, however, you are interviewing asking to be hired, then I believe you already know the answer!

 

[mickmasterson]

Remember that a lot of the comments in this thread are from people who just don't like long hair on a guy.

Perhaps, though I do think all advice was given in good faith.

 

[benito]

I've got long hair, and I'm old. If I were hiring someone new and had two equally qualified people, one with regular hair and one with a pony tail, I'd hire the guy with the regular hair. I'd figure the guy with the pony tail was too stupid to realize that he should have cut his hair before the job interview.

 

[bfunk]

As a number of others have already said; if people are already knocking at your door asking if you will come work for them, you can perhaps indulge your "counter culture" desires. If, however, you are interviewing asking to be hired, then I believe you already know the answer!

hehe I find that funny that long hair is somehow linked to counter-culture, which is true in cases but not in mine at all I am very pro-culture and conservative actually. But I see your point I shud go for a cut and as somebody else pointed out I could always grow it in the future when I am at the company a little longer and people start to get to know me.

Another major thing is I don't go clean shaven. I trim my beard everyday but thats all. I still get id'd to buy smokes and I have been told by students that I look in my early 20s, so i want to look older. But otoh long hair+beard at an interview will just make it worse.

Perhaps, though I do think all advice was given in good faith.

absolutely, all advice is take in good faith

I've got long hair, and I'm old. If I were hiring someone new and had two equally qualified people, one with regular hair and one with a pony tail, I'd hire the guy with the regular hair. I'd figure the guy with the pony tail was too stupid to realize that he should have cau his hair before the job interview.

I just hope I have the good genes that my hair still stays this way when I get old, my dad start losing his hair in his mid 40's...

 

[punter]

If you want a job, you need to grow up, cut your hair and shave.

 

[Aardvark154]

Another major thing is I don't go clean shaven. I trim my beard everyday.

Beards are not as much of an issue, although they still may be. However, you want to model your beard on say King George V (naval patern) rather than ZZ Top.

 

[Moraff]

Just put it in a ponytail and if you're good at what you do people will get over it.

Remember that a lot of the comments in this thread are from people who just don't like long hair on a guy.

You're 100% correct in that if he's good, people will forgive him many foibles. However the situation in this case appears to be that he doesn't have a lot of experience to show he is good at what he does. When you are at this point your appearance and deportment is going to factor huge in the interview.

 

[fun-guy]

The OP did say he's looking for a bookkeeping position, the financial industry is still one of the most staid industries because you are dealing with other people's money, so you will be scrutinized on appearance.

Been in business for over 35 years so you can take my advice for what's it worth to ya. Hired hundreds of people and managed thousands and know how many white collars think in my dealings with them over the years.

If you're starting out looking for a job, don't grow your hair, there's still a stigma in the office environment you are looking to work in. Once you get hired don't get confident and start growing your hair right away. Prove yourself as a valuable addition to the company and they need you, once you feel confident and accomplished then you can grow your hair, at that point you have proven yourself and any first impressions go out the window. I have worked with a few professionals with long hair and all have been in the workforce for a while and are excellent at what they do, I don't care about their hair.

But starting out now, you will be judged and first impressions mean alot as there is so much competition when looking for a job. Good luck.

 

[Moraff]

What is the career your looking to go into , alot would depend on that . Something very creative like the arts or acting or a musical career it might work . Unfortunatly people are judged based on there looks , long is ok as long as it is well groomed , slicked back in a ponytail and you have well groomed facial hair and the rest of you is well manicured . If you look unkept and slovenly its not likely you will get hired anywhere . Misty

OP stated he is looking for a bookkeeping position so I would hazard to state that long hair, slicked back into a pony tail or not may very well be a detriment to hiring. I definitely agree with your comment regarding unkempt and slovenly will get you nowhere.