Curly hair and interviews Forum

[Anonymous User]

I have been on countless interviews, get a lot of call backs, but can’t seem to cinch the offer. My friend who has had a similar problem has started getting professional blow outs before interviews and has had much better results. I have curly, thick hair. I usually wear it neat and half up. Could this be hurting me? I always thought as long as my hair was neat it shouldn’t matter but she received offers after getting professionally coiffed.

[TLSModBot]

Provided that it is clean and somewhat professional looking, no one gives a shit about your hair

[lurklaw]

Fabergé. It’s Fabergé Organics. Use the shampoo and conditioner, and when your hair’s damp--it's not wet, OK--when it’s damp, you do four puffs of the Farrah Fawcett spray.

[TheBlueDevil]

Fabergé. It’s Fabergé Organics. Use the shampoo and conditioner, and when your hair’s damp--it's not wet, OK--when it’s damp, you do four puffs of the Farrah Fawcett spray.

Sick reference bro

[unlicensedpotato]

Provided that it is clean and somewhat professional looking, no one gives a shit about your hair

Of course a woman's hairstyle is going to have an impact in interviews.

ETA: I definitely agree with people that this very unlikely to be the reason for not getting offers. OP, you should do whatever makes you confident going into interviews -- that's the biggest thing.

[A. Nony Mouse]

I have seen a lot of debate about whether employers see curly hair as unprofessional, even though it shouldn’t matter in the slightest, and I really doubt that the blowouts are the only thing making the difference in your friend’s success, but if you’re going to worry/be self conscious about your hair now you might try it and see what happens. I doubt you need to, but in case it will make you feel more secure. (If it will make you feel weird and unlike yourself and resentful of the whole process, don’t bother.)

[smile0751]

Maybe talk to Career Services? If they are good, they'll give you an honest answer. Without knowing you, I don't think your hair is holding you back.

Maybe your friend's hairstyle gave her more confidence which came across in the interviews? Maybe she also changed some of her answers to questions in addition to doing her hair differently? Maybe correlation isnt causation and this is all a coincidence?

[DorkothyParker]

[quote="Anonymous User I usually wear it neat and half up. [/quote]

I'm a 0L, but I work as a bank manager and do hiring in my current job. What do you mean by, "half up?" I ask because there is a weird bun thing with loose hair that I see younger women doing and I do honestly regard that hairstyle as a bit youthful and less professional. Though, it would never be a deal-breaker.
Also, make sure all the hair if dry. Wet hair, even in a neat and tight bun, looks lazy.
No one looks childish or lazy with a tight chignon, I'll say that.

[sublime]

I don't think anybody/the vast majority of people care, but I wouldn't be surprised if appearance plays a larger role than it should, largely subconsciously, particularly for women.

[dabigchina]

It might not matter in the abstract (debatable), but if you feel like it's messing with your confidence, then get the blow-out. Having/not having confidence is much more important than how curly your hair is.

[pancakes3]

if you're not closing on "a lot of callbacks" it's not the hair. i can see how one person's opinion on a screener may be swayed by hair, but not multiple, and not at the callback stage.

[Anonymous User]

if you're not closing on "a lot of callbacks" it's not the hair. i can see how one person's opinion on a screener may be swayed by hair, but not multiple, and not at the callback stage.

Not the above anon, but have the same issue... and CDO has not been helpful. Any typical red flags? instant dings?

[Anonymous User]

I have very unruly hair 3b/c curls and was doing callbacks in hot humid weather causing a TON of frizz. I also went with the half up hairstyle at every single CB. I was not having good hair days by my standards but got ⅞ offers and that was a way better result than what my grades would call for. I am sorry but it is not your hair that is the issue. Not having a job sucks I know but don’t give up and don’t blame the hair. Something else is the issue. :/

[Anonymous User]

As long as it's neat, don't change your hair because of what it might make an interviewer think, because it likely won't matter.

However, if you're going to be distracted by being worried about it, you might as well fix it. Your discomfort might be coming across non-verbally during the interview.

[jd20132013]

I have very unruly hair 3b/c curls and was doing callbacks in hot humid weather causing a TON of frizz. I also went with the half up hairstyle at every single CB. I was not having good hair days by my standards but got ⅞ offers and that was a way better result than what my grades would call for. I am sorry but it is not your hair that is the issue. Not having a job sucks I know but don’t give up and don’t blame the hair. Something else is the issue. :/

This was very kind of you to say--added a lot.