Long hair and the workplace (looking for advice)

[Snow007]

I'll be graduating in May with a degree in marketing/business administration and looking to enter the workforce in a related field. One of the obstacles I can foresee is my long hair. It's always clean and well maintained but I'm worried that because of its length (about 12 inches) it would hinder my job opportunities and I'm not looking to cut it unless absolutely necessary.

If anyone could contribute some advice, their experience or what happened to someone they know in a similar situation, it would be greatly appreciated and help me out.

[Boxcar Willie 84]

Time to bust out the scissors and go with the trusty mullet!

[Newc]

Avoid the mullet at all costs.

Given today's business structure, you're apt to find many aging hippies running the show, especially in a progressive business environment like computers. Traditional businesses may have traditional dress/appearance codes, which means you lose the hair or you lose the money.

The acceptance of long hair is spreading, as long as it is not a distraction. You may have to keep it in a tail while on the clock, for example.

Check with the prospective employers before making a decision, though. You may find they will accept the hair but not the tatoos, unless the hair can cover tats on the back of your neck.

[Big D]

At some companies it depends upon whether or not you're in a customer facing role. Where I work, a lot of software developers and other jobs like that can have long hair no problem. But if you're in a business role and working with customers, it would be pretty tough to get hired with long hair.

I think you'll find a lot of it depends on the industry too. If you're going to work in finance, insurance, or anything like that, get ready for a trip to great clips my friend.

[bonghits]

I always had long hair but now that I'm a nurse(I know, laugh it up! Male nurse jokes like in Meet The Parents! ) I have to keep it short and neat. Fucking sucks but beats the hell out of having no job and living in a box.

[Shawn Lutz]

unforunately marketing/business administration isn't as laid back & casual as otheir lines of work. I would cut the hair w/o question and then when you land a job see what kind of work envirnoment your in and perhaps its no issue.

[StukaJU87]

unforunately marketing/business administration isn't as laid back & casual as otheir lines of work. I would cut the hair w/o question and then when you land a job see what kind of work envirnoment your in and perhaps its no issue.

Agreed. Cut it when job hunting. You can let it grow back if the job you land permits long hair.

[mm2002]

I've had long hair most of my life, and it's never been a problem when finding a job. I do remember one employer asking me if I would mind cutting it a little shorter.....I said sure, as long as all the women have to do it too. It was never mentioned again. I think most employers are more concerned with the quality of your work than the length of your hair. The ones that make hair length a priority are the ones I wouldn't want to work for anyway.

[VoiceX3]

I have never had a problem either. My hair has officially been long (for real long past shoulderblades) for 20 years now. I have a professional job and all is good. Don't cut it right away if you really don't want to. If it appears that it's giving you a problem then do it, but not before.

[fett]

You have to cut your hair to business length and be as
conservative as possible while hunting for a kob. That first impression is everything. If you keep the long hair, you will for sure run into people that can't get past it .

[Joe_Steeler]

Cut the hair. Unfortunate and does not have to be this way, BUT IT IS.
I have been on the management side plenty of times and trust me it is discussed. No mullets and no long hair dudes get very far.

In all the years in have been in the business world I have only met a handful, about four to five, that have long hair and have garner high profile positions. Two guys owned their own firms and the rest were flat out brilliant individuals that have so much going for themselves intellectually and product knowledge, the owner had no choice but to promote them in order to keep them.

There is a gentleman in our office with a mullet and we've decided to limit his contact with clients due to comments we have gotten from associates and clients about his appearance. Sad but that is the professional world we live in.

[VoiceX3]

You have to cut your hair to business length and be as
conservative as possible while hunting for a kob. That first impression is everything. If you keep the long hair, you will for sure run into people that can't get past it .

Yes there are some, but there are some who are fine with it.

Cut the hair. Unfortunate and does not have to be this way, BUT IT IS.
I have been on the management side plenty of times and trust me it is discussed. No mullets and no long hair dudes get very far.

In all the years in have been in the business world I have only met a handful, about four to five, that have long hair and have garner high profile positions. Two guys owned their own firms and the rest were flat out brilliant individuals that have so much going for themselves intellectually and product knowledge, the owner had no choice but to promote them in order to keep them.

There is a gentleman in our office with a mullet and we've decided to limit his contact with clients due to comments we have gotten from associates and clients about his appearance. Sad but that is the professional world we live in.

Joe, I couldn't disagree with you more emphatically. I do have a high ranking position. I do deal with the public and high ranking politicians on a more than daily basis. I don't know what sad unprofessional hypocritical world you live in, but trust me, it is narrow minded and old fashoned. Join us in the 21st century.

[FusionFarmer]

Yep, for a marketing job you should keep a pretty convervative appearance until you get established, If you were an I.T. or other computer related job, long hair (pony tail) might actually be a plus.

[Accept2]

The business field looks for results, not how long your hair is. Today I am wearing a wrinkley jean shirt, black jeans, running shoes, and yes my hair aint exactly trim. The thing is, the clients dress the same way. They relate to me better than the suit jockeys with their big bald spots. Clients want results, not a fashion show. Keep the hair, deliver the results, and the only problems you'll get are from the baldies who wish they could actually have hair. Of course if you work for a place where even the clients are tight asses, then cut the hair. This kind of reminds me of the rascist/sexist crap where people claim they cant get in the door. If you can produce, I dont give a fuck what color you are, or where you stick it, as long as the green is being produced, there is always a spot for you.............

[hippietim]

if you like your hair long then don't cut it. jobs are out there - don't compromise. if you don't care about keeping your hair long and think it'll be easier to find a job then cut your hair.

i worked in the defense industry for a long time and interacted with corporals and colonels a like on a regular basis and never once had an issue. i've trained marines and if anyone is going to give you shit it's a marine but it was not a problem and i'm pretty sure that i had more hair on my head than everyone in the training facility combined