I am a college student desperatly seeking a new job. My major is Office Administration and I would like to obtain a job in that field while attending school. I have been on two seperate interviews(one for work-study and one a part-time job) The first one I didn't get the job due to " a better canidate being chosen. I feel it's because of my hair. The other job I haven't heard from yet. Here's the thing: I have long, braided hair that comes past my shoulders. I keep my hair well-taken care of and it never looks bad. On my last interview, I dressed in a full-suit with dress shoes, with my hair braided to the back neatly done. The interview went great but, now I feel that because of my hair, I won't get the position. I am a B+ average student with near-perfect attendance and it saddens me that because of my hair that I can't get a decent job. I would like some advice on this situation and what steps I can take to get the job I need to pay for school. Thank you in advance!
2007-02-22 06:10:14 · 6 answers · asked by milhause 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
Unfortunately, if you want to work in admin, you will most likely run into corporate jobs. People in corporations have things stuck up their butts about people having personalities and different styles. I suggest finding a job where it clearly states "casual enviroment". Otherwise, your hair might have to go =(
2007-02-22 06:18:08 · answer #1 · answered by Holly Golightly 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I hate to tell you but you are going to have to get a nice clean fresh cut in the business world. When you are in a leadership position and are the boss of others then you can change the policy, but until then, you have to play into the conservative corporate office look. I could be wrong, but Im guessing you are African American, and if thats the case, (although no one will say it out loud) you have to look like you are safe, reliable, hard working, and worthy of the job. Braids will definitely hurt you if you are looking for a really good job. Its sad but most black males are stereotyped with braids as being bad news and untrustworthy even if its not true. If you are white with braids, people will not trust you a whole lot either. THey'll look at you like the Eminem type. There are just a lot of written and unwritten rules to the office type positions that you just have to adapt to in order to be a success, but as I said earlier once you play by their rules and own your own company or are president or whatever and YOU make the decisions then you can wear your hair however you want and no one will be able to say a thing about it. (although, you will have to still consider the outside people you may have to work with and their beliefs on the matter) Man, just cut your hair! sorry :(
2007-03-02 03:53:06 · answer #2 · answered by Meyori B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are unsure that the problem is your hair... don't put it out in the universe Honeychild! There may be another problem such as lack of experience.. no work history.. or the job may not be hiring... just accepting applications. As long as you look your best and are presentable... then appearances may not be the problem.
You know... I got tired of conforming to what society thought I should look like. I love everything about me and my culture. After being on my job for a short period of time... I twisted my hair and grew it into locks. Now that is extreme. I never feel that my dreads have hindered me in the job market. They have however.. gotten me jobs. Oh the questions.....
Create a resume and run it past a parent or freind. Go to the employment agency and let a counselor know your problem with getting hired. They will assist you and find you a job. The good news is... if the job turns you down... they have to give the agency a reason! Love your hair Honeychild! It is your crowning glory! Get your job and put this situation behind you.
2007-02-28 09:46:31 · answer #3 · answered by fatbabyceesay 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, I'm in HR. First, you don't know if it's your hair for sure, it could be anything, it's hard to land a job in the first place. But, in dealing with the public and working in admin people may prefer a more conservative look. No one is every going to tell you this, so if you are feeling that your being passed by you have two choices. One is to keep your hair the way you like it and keep searching or find another field. The other is to just cut it and chalk it up to the real world finally taking over from the freedom you have as a college kid. Trust me, I had purple hair in college, now I'm the one in a suit interviewing people. It happens to most of us. So while no one can say it's holding you back, and legally it shouldn't, you may want to do whatever you can to improve your chances at landing that job, and that might mean a hair cut. good luck.
2007-02-22 06:22:35 · answer #4 · answered by hrland 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the society today there is alot of thing more acceptable than in the years before. It's not your hair if you take care of it. Have you tried to contact this employer? I turn into a stalker if I want the job bad enough. Give them a call and tell them that you haven't heard from them and you were wondering a decision has been made and then if you haven't gotten the job then ask the employer who didn't hire you if it was your hair and then you'll know for sure.
2007-03-02 04:59:06 · answer #5 · answered by supasary 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think a lot of people think that when a man where his hair braided he's a thug. No it not true but thats how some people think . So now you have to choose if it 's worth changing who you are to get what you want, or not. My hisband went to the samething
2007-02-22 06:28:37 · answer #6 · answered by Destiny 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋