Job interviews with a TWA

[lovely_locks]

Me, and my family are moving soon, and that means looking for a job, and going on interviews. I'll be going to school full time also, and I will be strapped for time. So I was wondering how should I wear my hair? I know some people view a fro as untidey, and unkept. I'm not a fan of weave, and I don't care for wigs so much, but i'll do it if I have to.

 

[kandiekj100]

I went on an interview with a fro before and I wound up getting the job. I don't think you need to cover it up (but I can definitely understand your hesistancy to do so). You could wear some sort of accesory, like a headband or comb, or do front flat twists. You could always op for braids too if you really are against wearing your own hair, but not found of wigs or weaves.

 

[Transformer]

I think your TWA will be just fine. I think perspective employers will find it refreshing and HONEST. Just ensure that's it's well groomed....but that's for any hair style/type.

 

[Myjourney2009]

I spoke to a psychiatrist when I first went natural. His honest words were interviewers do not have a problem with afros.

As another poster stated I went on an interview with my new twa and I got the job as well. I prior to that was wearing braids with a wig over it. I unveiled at a position I was currently in (corporate america) and they absolutely loved it.

Girl unleash that fro, it is more acceptable than you think.

 

[EllePixie]

Wear your fro!! It shows confidence because they know that you weren't insecure about how they would feel about it.

 

[anomcasm]

I think you need to consider what is the norm within your field. In certain professions, the interviewing personnel may be more conservative (and frankly ignorant) and view your TWA as something more than just your personal style. I am not condoning conforming, but sometimes you have to do what is necessary - at least until you secure the position. Again, I am speaking from my personal experience within my profession. Many times fros, braids, etc. were considered undesired and often qualified individuals were looked at differently because of them. Just a thought to consider.

 

[nestlequik]

You should wear your fro.

Ladies, I have a question- why is it an issue for women with tightly curled 4ish hair to wear their hair naturally to job interviews or any other professional setting? It doesn't seem like an issue with any other hair type. It's not even an issue for men with afros. As long as it's neat it shouldn't be a problem, right? I've also noticed that the majority of people in my profession (and I work in politics on the federal level) don't care if a woman wears her hair in a fro as long as it's neat. To be frank- the white people that work in politics don't seem to care at all and it's mostly them making the hiring decisions. Ok, jumping off my soap box...

 

[Chameleonchick]

I think you should be fine if it looks neat.

 

[andromeda]

The fro will be fine. Of course, it should be well-groomed and conservative. And I've already mentioned before that I think you're rocking it well.

You should wear your fro.

Ladies, I have a question- why is it an issue for women with tightly curled 4ish hair to wear their hair naturally to job interviews or any other professional setting? It doesn't seem like an issue with any other hair type. It's not even an issue for men with afros. As long as it's neat it shouldn't be a problem, right? I've also noticed that the majority of people in my profession (and I work in politics on the federal level) don't care if a woman wears her hair in a fro as long as it's neat. To be frank- the white people that work in politics don't seem to care at all and it's mostly them making the hiring decisions. Ok, jumping off my soap box...

I started a thread a while ago on a similar topic. I've actually noticed that for those with tightly-coiled hair, close-cropped, very short TWAs are actually viewed more favorably than longer, loose natural hair. This has been the case for at least the last 20 years and is just now starting to change. Based on my personal experience in NY and observing the hair styles of black professional women in a variety of fields, it seems as if a TWA has been the de facto choice for natural type 4s, with dreads being another option. It also seems as if this style is implicitly tolerated, or even preferred, by whites - not necessarily that they find it more attractive in terms of beauty but that they find it more professional and possible less distracting. Of course, shorter (or "plainer") hair on women of all colors is often viewed as more professional and a signal of a no-nonsense attitude, so it's probably a confluence of factors. I think generally, if most people (black, white, etc) have beenprogrammed to perceive type 4 hair as ugly and/or unkempt, the less they see of it, or the more "tamed" it is (ie immaculately groomed dreads), the better.

 

[EllePixie]

I agree that a TWA is seen as more acceptable. It seems that people start to take notice when the hair is bigger or "less neat" like a huge chunky or curly fro, especially if the hair doesn't fall, b/c it looks more wild.

 

[lilikoi]

ROCK THE FRO.

That said, if you're still feeling insecure about the interviewers not being receptive to a regular afro (which I don't think should be serious concern) do something to ease your anxiety-- going into an interview with weak self-confidence would negatively impact your performance and the outcome more than any hairstyle related issue.

My suggestion is, if you're sporting a true TWA, just wear it like you do everyday. However, if you're past the truly short TWA stage, you might consider a head band, wearing it as a puff, etc. Something that gives off a signal that "Yes, I did my hair this morning".

I think in our society, part of the issue with afros is that they some people are under the erroneous impression that they just sprout out of your head like that--they're unaware of of all the detangling, moisturizing, shaping, etc. that goes into making a fro look good.

Just be punctual, tidy, professional, confident and (headband or not) ROCK THAT FRO.

Good luck on your job search.

 

[Tiye]

Me, and my family are moving soon, and that means looking for a job, and going on interviews. I'll be going to school full time also, and I will be strapped for time. So I was wondering how should I wear my hair? I know some people view a fro as untidey, and unkept. I'm not a fan of weave, and I don't care for wigs so much, but i'll do it if I have to.

It's untidey and unkept only if it's untidey and unkept. I wouldn't do wash and go or chunky braid out/twist out looks for a job in a formal setting. These looks might work for modeling go see, or casting call , or job in sales in an edgy fashion boutique, or hair salon - but anyplace else nope. If you have your hair shaped, and neatly combed into place I can put money on the fact that you won't have any problems on interviews - at least not related to your hair.

 

[Vashti]

When I went in for a job interview for the job I have now I wore an afro. Mine was very short at the time but I got the job! Just so long as your hair looks neat I don't see a problem.

 

[Fiyawerks]

After having 2 phone interviews, I'm having an in person interview next Thursday, and I'm gonna fiercefully rock my twa, pearl earrings, and 2 piece suit. If my hair stops me from getting the job, I swear I didn't need it to begin with.*humph*

 

[lilikoi]

After having 2 phone interviews, I'm having an in person interview next Thursday, and I'm gonna fiercefully rock my twa, pearl earrings, and 2 piece suit. If my hair stops me from getting the job, I swear I didn't need it to begin with.*humph*

Yeah! That's the attitude! Good luck on your interview!

 

[lovely_locks]

Thanks to everyone who has replied. I am going to wear my TWA. I guess I hav enot realized that it is more accepted now. Thank you guys again.

 

[aymone]

I would say do what will help you get the job and once you have it do whatever you want.