Hairstyle for Interview (Women) Forum

[theswisswereright]

I know this type of question is asked often, but the standard advice isn't really helping me at this point.

I have a callback with the firm of my dreams on Monday-- pretty prestigious, focused on the field I want to be in, great location. I am planning on going suit shopping tomorrow and Saturday, because I haven't refreshed my interview suit selection since 1L fall and the stakes are really high here.

The biggest problem is what to do with my hair. I have medium-long hair that's pretty hard to manage, with short bangs that fall to one side. It's naturally wavy, although I can get it straight (usually do) and doesn't fall very nicely when it's totally down (I'm in kind of a transitional period after a series of bad haircuts). I know the obvious solution is to put it up, BUT:

1) I have a very round face, and I look much heavier with my hair pulled back. I do not feel confident with my hair up for this reason.
2) Half-up styles tend to make me look about five years younger than I am, and don't help with the fat face problem.
3) I have layers, so a bun poses a bit of a challenge.

My preferred hairstyle currently is to wear it down, straightened, with a plain-colored thin headband. This keeps it off my face, but also doesn't emphasize my complete lack of facial bone structure. Is this considered unprofessional or distracting? What are my options here, really?

P.S.: If I have a matching leather tote bag, can I carry it throughout my interview, or should I leave it at the front desk (I won't have a car or anywhere else to put it) and just bring my portfolio?

[nixy]

I think the headband is fine, as long as (like it sounds) it’s unobtrusive/hair colored (not bright colors or shiny metal, not that it sounds like you’d do that). I think feeling comfortable with it outweighs trying to find some completely new way to do your hair by Monday that won’t stress you out more.

I also think you can just carry in your tote and set it on the floor next to you. If they offer you somewhere to put it that would be fine, but carrying it isn’t weird (it only would be maybe a little weird if this were an OCI suite at your school where you’d have a place to put it, but it sounds like you’re going to them).

I don’t mean to freak you out about suit shopping, but maybe review your closet and check on your 1L suits too. You may well have better luck shopping off the rack than I do, but it’s hard to guarantee a suit that fits right in two days before an interview, and I wouldn’t want it to be a freak out situation. No one you interview with will know the suit is old and assuming you’re a rising 2L it isn’t actually old. (If you have very specific targets in mind that you know fit you and have good options available year round, though, then never mind.)

[theswisswereright]

I think the headband is fine, as long as (like it sounds) it’s unobtrusive/hair colored (not bright colors or shiny metal, not that it sounds like you’d do that). I think feeling comfortable with it outweighs trying to find some completely new way to do your hair by Monday that won’t stress you out more.

I also think you can just carry in your tote and set it on the floor next to you. If they offer you somewhere to put it that would be fine, but carrying it isn’t weird (it only would be maybe a little weird if this were an OCI suite at your school where you’d have a place to put it, but it sounds like you’re going to them).

I don’t mean to freak you out about suit shopping, but maybe review your closet and check on your 1L suits too. You may well have better luck shopping off the rack than I do, but it’s hard to guarantee a suit that fits right in two days before an interview, and I wouldn’t want it to be a freak out situation. No one you interview with will know the suit is old and assuming you’re a rising 2L it isn’t actually old. (If you have very specific targets in mind that you know fit you and have good options available year round, though, then never mind.)

Yeah, I generally match my headband to my outfit or use one that's close to my hair color (light brown, so nothing crazy).

I figured carrying my bag would be okay, especially since I have no pockets and no place to put car keys, or a compact, or my plane tickets, or...

As for suits, I am actually a rising 3L, and some of my 1L suits don't fit like they used to... I plan on just checking out what's available from the brands I normally buy, so I'm not panicking about that part. I would have gone sooner, but my current job is pretty hard to get away from at a decent hour.

Thank you for your response. I feel better about the hair issue now.

[Anonymous User]

As long as your hair doesn't look or smell dirty and it's out of your face, you'll be good.

[Anonymous User]

Headband should be totally fine. Also consider a barrette or bobby pins to pull bangs out of the way.

I’ve brought a tote to every interview and been fine, just set it down next to you.

And I had good luck at Macy’s/Bloomingdales the night before a CB, large selection when in doubt.

GL!!

[Anonymous User]

I would stay away from headband, as they invoke a Gossip Girl, school girl vibe that can make you look immature. I'd prefer bobby pins over headband.

I have the same problem (huge flat face) and long hair that does not look professional let down. I've come to terms with wearing it up in a bun (but not a pig tail because that also looks immature). I'd rather that people think of me as professional and mature even if it means I'm not as pretty as a result.

However, a couple of things I've taken care to do start wearing eye makeup, natural lipstick, and earrings to make up for putting my hair in a bun. I find that this balances out the downside of putting my hair in a bun pretty well. As a rule, I find that accessories can be played up more whenever I wear thick frame glasses. When I wear glasses, I make sure to also wear brighter and bolder lipsticks.