To Prune Or Not To Prune...

[hantsbear]

Dearly beloved aged parent has just rung.  He claims he's not nagging, but I'm afraid I don't see what else it could be.  He rang up to advise me that if I really want to get a decent job, I need to get my hair cut back to about shoulder length, because that's what most interviewers expect.  Sad fact of it is, part of me thinks he's right.  But part of me is offended that people judge on looks not ability.  I know rock_bear will tell me that this is poppycock, but I am convinced that there is a great deal of truth in this.  I need to talk to a few people in the business, and, fellow LiveJournallers, solicit your opinions!

Comments

[winstonthriller.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately (and, illegally in this country) that's true. Looks count when interviewing. I've been in group interviews where others didn't want to hire a candidate because his suit looked old, or his beard was too scruffy or he "looked" like a smoker.

Once you get the job, it seems, you can do what you want with some lattitude.

Another reason I enjoy freelancing more than being a captive.

[fingertrouble.livejournal.com]

Same here - freelancing has that freedom, but it depends where and what industry you work, how unionised they are, etc etc.

I work in the graphic design/web industry and apart from the odd comment they don't care (I'm a temp anyway) and my partner John is an academic and wanders around in shorts and a t-shirt in most weathers, again not a problem.

It's a decision I found a had to make a bit like coming out - used to work in a corporate who told me to trim my beard and change my clothes - they used to be business casual then went suits again, hated my black jeans...I just didn't feel comfortable doing it. So I changed my career.

I'm sure if I conformed I'd get more work, more pay, more career (seem to have enough as it is, though) but I know I'd be unhappy as I couldn't be me. Sad how people trade that in for money or a job that just makes them feel worse? They seem to think it's a trivial thing but it's not - changing your identity for another is quite psychologically belittling, hence school uniforms, prison uniforms, etc. It's a control mechanism.