I am growing my hair long and am wondering if that is a good idea for my career. I will be finishing my studies and will be interviewing. I have worked before in a professional office enviornment but never saw anybody with long hair. I am a guy btw. thanks for your advice
Is it professional
- Thread starter bfunk
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Since by your post it appears that you are a professionally inexperienced soon-to-be recent graduate, I would say that unless you're an absolute prodigy with off-the-charts charisma, then you will be negatively judged for long hair, earrings, etc.
I agree with some of the comments above - it does depend on the industry and the specific employer.
However, I gather it's still difficult to find a job nowadays. No sense making an already difficult task even more difficult. I think your odds will be better with short hair, styled conventionally and conservatively, as part of an overall well-groomed presentation.
Many of my professional colleagues and business clients still pass comments about and make assumptions based upon appearances. It's shocking, really.
Good luck with the job search, old sport.
However, I gather it's still difficult to find a job nowadays. No sense making an already difficult task even more difficult. I think your odds will be better with short hair, styled conventionally and conservatively, as part of an overall well-groomed presentation.
Many of my professional colleagues and business clients still pass comments about and make assumptions based upon appearances. It's shocking, really.
Good luck with the job search, old sport.
hell i am a truck driver and i had to cut 4 inches off my goatee for a job interview and wear long sleeve shirt to cover my ink.
Be careful with that.
You still have to worry about your appearance and presentation after you get the job - to keep the job, to impress clients, to earn promotions, and to attract better employment opportunities.
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If you are bringing me an uber-impressive resume with multiple degrees from world-class schools, accompanied by an established industry-wide reputation for innovation and excellence, then by all means, dress yourself and comport yourself as you like - you are going to transform my company and make me millions of dollars!! However if you are just an otherwise normal Canadian looking for a white-collar job, who comes in with hair halfway down his shoulders, I wouldn't hire you. No judgements of your personal life or character etc, but work is a place of business, a professional environment, and there are standards to adhere to, like it or not. Sad? Maybe. But true.
One more thought.
No spikes or "bedhead". No "emo-bangs". No "Bieber hair". No highlights or unnatural colourings.
No matter how subtle, no matter what you see in the media.
In my experience, all these popular looks/styles have been subject to negative comments in business circles.
No spikes or "bedhead". No "emo-bangs". No "Bieber hair". No highlights or unnatural colourings.
No matter how subtle, no matter what you see in the media.
In my experience, all these popular looks/styles have been subject to negative comments in business circles.
What is making you decide to grow your hair long?
Can you send an example of what you are thinking about for style.
A good friend of mine has always had long hair he is in his mid 40's (looks older) works for the government outdoors, tree hugger kinda guy. I have never been attracted to him. Well until he went and cut it all off and he looks 10yrs younger and is actually pretty cute. Just be careful with long hair.
Can you send an example of what you are thinking about for style.
A good friend of mine has always had long hair he is in his mid 40's (looks older) works for the government outdoors, tree hugger kinda guy. I have never been attracted to him. Well until he went and cut it all off and he looks 10yrs younger and is actually pretty cute. Just be careful with long hair.
I've always had a ponytail. I was hired into a white collar job that had dress code "restrictions" with my ponytail clearly visable. After my hiring it was suggested to me that I "change" the style of my hair. I replied that I was hired with it so they had to deal with it. Haven't heard anything about it since.
I will be looking for a bookkeeping position. So that could be anywhere i guess.. and there is always the stereotype that we are bean counters/number crunchers with no peoeple skills etc. maybe the long hair could dispell that myth idunno.
I am 27 and do have 3 years of professional work experience. A year with an auto parts company. I did come across one or two male colleagues who had long hair and the other on earring. I don't wear earring just the hair I am trying to grow out. But I haven't heard any neg comments regarding them behind their back.
Thanks for your wishes and I will deftly take that into consideration.
hehe is your head still spinning from last nite?? too much partying at the bowling alley??lol read my post first, sport and then make the effort to type
Because I look very damn good and I don't want to send any example on the basis of my hair but my actions. My brother is growing his hair out too because his gf really likes it but its nowhere as long as mine because I have been going much longer 5 months and mine is very thick and curly(indian hair) but he doesn't suite that look at all, but still keeps it well to each their own I guess.
Accounting -- no, I wouldn't have long hair. I don't know any accountants with long hairs. And it's not going to be about professionalism but that the person who interviews you (probably from an older generation) is going to associate your long hair with hippies or slackers and hold it against you. GL if you keep it long but you might want to cut if you don't get any job offers.
I would look at the appearance (not just hair, dress style as well) of employers in the fields you wish to seek employment in as I would bet that they are favourably influenced by people with the same type of look whether consciously or not. Then after you get the job and have begun to prove your ability you can start to modify your grooming to what you would like instead of what got you employed.
Don't forget, to a lot of the older generation long hair on a guy makes them think of hippies not potential bookkeepers.
Don't forget, to a lot of the older generation long hair on a guy makes them think of hippies not potential bookkeepers.
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