hair4romheaven
Well-Known Member
If I was in the interviewing stage I would wear a wig. Just me though. My profession is unusal to say the least.
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So, Naturals: What DO you do on interview day?
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Leeda.the.Paladin
Well-Known Member
I think you could wear just about any style. I personally prolly wouldn't wear something like a frohawk, but all others can be professional. If in doubt, try pinning some or all of the hair up or back
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Giselle685
Well-Known Member
Yes I feel the same way. Getting braids as I type this to avoid anything negatively consequential in being natural.
testimony777
New Member
I typically wear my hair in some kind of half up half down style. But my sister who is a 4a and has neck length hair wore her regular wash n go to the interview for her last job. Her supervisor latter told her that her hair was a large part of what got her her the job. Her hair was memorable and distinguished her from the masses of buns and stick straight styles
. I had never considered that before and found it interesting. In a job market like this one, professional big curly hair might be more of an asset than we think
. But of course, I suppose it all depends on your industry, and your comfort level.
naturalmanenyc
Well-Known Member
I am wearing a bun with a side part today, which I'd wear for an interview if I were looking for work.
For my last interview (not looking but they wanted to meet me), I wore a big, fluffy braid out.
For my last interview (not looking but they wanted to meet me), I wore a big, fluffy braid out.
MissAlinaRose
New Member
To be honest, when I was interviewed for a great opportunity a few years back I was interviewed by someone non-black and they loved my hair. For some strange reason in my experience, white people tend not to care. Most I've run into tend to care about money and whether or not you can get the job done.
I've never had a bad reaction, black or non-black, because of the way I carried myself and styled my overall appearance, including my hair. This pic is the way my hair was when I interviewed and trust me it is corporate central where I'm at...very conversative, business-attire everyday except casual Fridays.
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southerncitygirl
Well-Known Member
Cherokee-n-Black
you are a pretty lady and will be competent for any position you interview for so you'll be fine. if you need twistout help i can assist you....you practically live up the street from me,lol. you know that's my staple style
you are a pretty lady and will be competent for any position you interview for so you'll be fine. if you need twistout help i can assist you....you practically live up the street from me,lol. you know that's my staple style
blueberryd
Well-Known Member
ihate to say it but i would straighten it...or maybe a cute rollerset. Unfortunately the au naturale look can b intimidating to some white ( or non black) recruiters... And some black recruiters could perceive it as " why didnt she do her hair" type if thing--as ignorant as that is... Ive also seen where blond, bright red, or other " non traditional" hair colors cast a negative light on the candidates...same with nails. BUT it also depends on where u live. In atlanta ive noticed a bit more leniancy in regard to this... However in smaller predominately white towns, i would be as bland as possible...atleast until i get the job...IMHO
MrsJaiDiva
Embracing the Light
I'm in the Social Work field, so when I'm ready to go back I can rock my hair any cute curly way I want to! My mom, a psychotherapist, has rocked everything from a TWA to WL dreads. My sister's had dreads since she was 17, and she's a HS Teacher now.
Wanderland
Well-Known Member
Wet bun .
nisemac
Well-Known Member
well, i would say first and foremost, know the organization that you're interviewing with.
i have been in casual offices and in high level, uber-conservative offices for 22 years--15 of them as a natural--and i went natural in a conservative setting. i have rocked twists and twist outs, wng, braid out in a puff, afro puff, bantu knots, braid extensions, the i want to loc phase...but the most important thing was always being well groomed and professional.
i'm glad this post came up. in my current position, i started with a neat, curly twa, then wore wigs for several months while growing it out some, and just recently stopped wearing the wig, for two reasons. First, I didn't feel like ME. I may change my mind in the future, but i'd have to find the right wig that didnt leave me feeling like i was covering up myself. Secondly, the more people who see natural hair, see how polished and elegant and sexy and daring and dynamic and alluring and feminine and diverse it is, the more it becomes mainstream.
so more than the hairstyle you choose, check out the organization you plan to interview with. see if you can find out how people dress, what's the status quo. think about the position you are applying for and where you want to go and how you wish to present yourself. the hair will then come.
just my thoughts.
i have been in casual offices and in high level, uber-conservative offices for 22 years--15 of them as a natural--and i went natural in a conservative setting. i have rocked twists and twist outs, wng, braid out in a puff, afro puff, bantu knots, braid extensions, the i want to loc phase...but the most important thing was always being well groomed and professional.
i'm glad this post came up. in my current position, i started with a neat, curly twa, then wore wigs for several months while growing it out some, and just recently stopped wearing the wig, for two reasons. First, I didn't feel like ME. I may change my mind in the future, but i'd have to find the right wig that didnt leave me feeling like i was covering up myself. Secondly, the more people who see natural hair, see how polished and elegant and sexy and daring and dynamic and alluring and feminine and diverse it is, the more it becomes mainstream.
so more than the hairstyle you choose, check out the organization you plan to interview with. see if you can find out how people dress, what's the status quo. think about the position you are applying for and where you want to go and how you wish to present yourself. the hair will then come.
just my thoughts.
fluffyforever
Well-Known Member
Years ago when I had a short twa, I wore my little afro with a black headband when I interviewed for an accounting firm internship. Since then, and since my hair has grown, I've worn mini twist and low buns on loose hair when long enoug for interviews. Natural hair has never been a problem IME.
BlackMasterPiece
Well-Known Member
Here is an excellent interview I just happened upon on the subject natural hair and professionalism, its by oyin handmade, you guys should check it out. At the end of the day, what you think about, you bring about, we have to have the confidence within ourselves to present ourselves to the world unabasheldy and without anxiety or a fear that being different is bad, if we start to simply say here I am without any hangups, then our respective environments will inevitably fall in line with our mindset.
Cherokee-n-Black
Well-Known Member
The other thing, I think that is an issue is I have BIG HAIR. (It may not look that way in the pics, but that's what it's doing now! I was just thinking the other day, I probably would not think twice about this if my hair was shorter. It's not really so much about the texture as the "style." I try to keep it conservative on interviews. I'm wondering if a twistout or a braidout might be a little more controlled and therefore less "big." southerncitygirl--I might just have to take you up on that offer!
Theresamonet
Well-Known Member
I loved what Dr. Adanna had to say. This is how I approch the situation as well. I'm not sure why this causes so much anxiety. If you can show up to the interview black, you can also show up with kinky hair.
Do people think the interviewer is going to be wondering the whole time "omg. Why is this black woman's hair not straight"?
Shay72
Natural, 4A
A wash n go, puff, twist out, braid out, or bun would be appropriate to me. I have interviewed a lot of naturals and all of those styles presented just fine. Besides if I'm doing the interview they will see me in a wash n go or puff myself. I don't understand the concept of feeling the need to straighten for an interview. If they have an issue with my natural hair then its not the company for me.
Cherokee-n-Black
Well-Known Member
I loved what Dr. Adanna had to say. This is how I approch the situation as well. I'm not sure why this causes so much anxiety. If you can show up to the interview black, you can also show up with kinky hair.
Like I said, it's not the texture of my hair I'm really concerned about. When I was relaxed I rarely wore my hair down for interviews, particularly past a certain length. My wash and go is more "free and fluffy" than "polished and professional." Again, I actually think shorter (natural) hair would be more neat and polished than where my hair is now: too long to stay down and too short to pull back.ETA: Just watched the interview. Well she's wrong about hairstyle being protected. It's absolutely not illegal to discriminate against someone based on hairstyle--although it would make for a PR nightmare if someone fought the fight (and of course, said it's about race). She also doesn't work in a corporate environment. Academia is far less conservative. I also don't think it's as simple as just "change it." I think there are definitely ways to wear natural hair in a style that looks neat and polished. Just looking for ideas and finding out what others do.
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Renewed1
Well-Known Member
@Cherokee-n-Black I work in HR as well (I'm currently in-between jobs); but for interviews, I would do a rod set, wig or a trusty bun. I've seen white women with curly hair, pull their hair back in a bun. The recruiters I spoke with, said the obvious, look NEAT and CLEAN. Don't bring attention to your clothes, hair, nail polish, perfume, etc etc.
Depending on your industry, as long as your hair is neat, I don't think anyone cares.
At my last job, I had two interviews. I wore a straight and plain wig (I just BC'd) to both interviews. After I accepted the job interview, I showed up day one with my tamed curly wig. And wore a different wig every month I was there. No one cared, but the WW did ask some stupid questions.
ETA: Just read your above post Cherokee. Are you against straightening your hair for the interviews? Or doing a roller set?
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Cherokee-n-Black
Well-Known Member
MarriageMaterial - I'm brand newly natural and haven't even attempted to straighten. My hair's also a little heat sensitive so I'm hesitant. I may try to rollerset.
Renewed1
Well-Known Member
@Cherokee-n-Black I understand. I felt the same way when I BC'ed (to about 2 inches of hair).
I wore short/chin/neck length wigs, because I didn't have enough hair for a roller set. My suggestion is to avoid LONG wigs, because almost all of them tangle and you don't want a bird's nest on the back of your neck at a interview.
ETA: I have done curly phony ponys for interviews. I would attached the ponytail, as usual, and wrap it up in a bun and put in some chopsticks or not.
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ETA: Just watched the interview. Well she's wrong about hairstyle being protected. It's absolutely not illegal to discriminate against someone based on hairstyle--although it would make for a PR nightmare if someone fought the fight (and of course, said it's about race). She also doesn't work in a corporate environment. Academia is far less conservative. I also don't think it's as simple as just "change it." I think there are definitely ways to wear natural hair in a style that looks neat and polished. Just looking for ideas and finding out what others do.
Your hair is probably longer than mine, but I am at that length where my wash and gos flop every which way. It doesn't stand up like a neat TWA anymore. I need to use clips to hold my hair down for a few minutes to get the shape I want. My hair naturally parts in the center so I have to create the side part that suits me much better, smooth products in the direction I want my hair to fall, and use shark clips to hold down the part for about 5 minutes while I put on makeup. After 5 minutes, it stays there. If I don't, I'll have hair that parts in the middle of my very oval face and shrinks up to the middle of my large forehead. Very unflattering.
yaya24
❤️ Libra☼Gemini ☾ Sagittarius ⇗
Flexi-8's can be found here: www.flexi8.com. I have 2 of them, one medium and one large, and need to get an extra large for my buns. Not going to lie, I love them.
Ronnieaj
Thanks !!
I really need something like this!!
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