Would you change something about your personal appearance to get a job?
By Nerophile
@Nerophile (72)
United States
November 16, 2007 9:15am CST
Recently I've started looking for a new job and it has occurred to me that while my last workplace pretty much excepted my natural hair and hippie ways, it might be hard to get a new job with the look I currently have. I am contemplating relaxing my hair and making my look more conservative/preppy. I'm not sure what I should do. Maybe some of you mylotters have faced the same dilemma and have some wisdom to impart. I'm open to any suggestions.
Have you ever or would you ever change something about yourself just to secure a job? Have you lost a piercing or cutoff a ponytail or let your mohawk grow in?
2 responses
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
16 Nov 07
I have found that the best jobs I ever had were the ones that hired the 'real' me. When I change my appearance to get a job I always have to then work at keeping up 'appearances' and never end up really enjoying the job, well unless the new look was a look I was wanting to explore anyway.
My daughter had dyed part of her hair pink or blue or red or purple (I don't remember which one she was on at the time)which she was having a lot of fun doing, and went for a job interview. They asked her to get rid of the color, which she did, and ended up hating the job and quitting a few days later!
And one time I had a landlord that I had a crush on. The plumbing got stopped up in the apartment and he had to have a plumber come out. The main drain pipe was jammed up with a ball of long red hair... obviously mine, and he was complaining.
My hair was so long that if I just slightly tilted my head the ends of my hair touched my knees. I cut off about a foot to please him. But it didn't work and I was left with my way shorter hair for nothing. It still hasn't reached it's previous length.
On the other hand, if you like the sound of the job you're applying for, and you're in the mood for a change in your personal expression, then that's a different story. You just have to honestly evaluate your own priorities.
That's my opinion!
@Nerophile (72)
• United States
16 Nov 07
Thanks Zig. I knew I you'd have a thoughtful and well reasoned response.
I do enjoy being the real me but I fear the real me isn't as employable. I will think about what you have said.
1 person likes this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
17 Nov 07
The real me isn't too employable either! I guess that's why I'm sitting up here in the mountains... unemployed and playing nature girl! Fortunately it's my brother's house, so I don't have to pay rent, but I'm hoping the utility companies have a computer error in my favor and lose me!
