Corporate Hairdo - Need Help

[Ms. JD]

Hey everyone,

I'm a newbie at posting on here but I have been lurking on this website for some time now. I'm in my 3rd year of law school so I am doing a lot of interviews now for permanent employment. I feel like I have to wear my hair a certain way so that I don't come across as too ethnic to the predominantly white attorneys that I interview with. I would like to wear braids so that I can give my hair a rest and take some stress off of it. My hair is relaxed and ever since I moved to Philadelphia to go to school my hair has been really dry and rough because the water here is too hard for my hair. At first I would go back home to NYC to get my hair done but I have honestly gotten tired of all the driving back and forth. So now I have decided to attempt to do my hair myself except for special occasions. Right now I am wearing a wig during the week for class with my hair wrapped up underneath. I flat iron my hair and wear it down for interviews. I am contemplating getting braids because the synthetic wigs start to get a little tired after awhile and I really want to make it to armpit length by Xmas (I am currently a little below shoulder length) and I have always had good growth success with braids. I don't feel comfortable wearing my wig into the interview but at the same time I don't like having to use the flat iron.

Do you guys think that it is okay to wear braids (micros, individuals) to an interview? If not, what are some other alternative hairstyles that I can wear besides the usual bun? Am I the only one who has had these concerns? For those who work in a corporate environment, what is the general view about braids in the workplace?

I apologize for all of the questions but I have seriously reached rock bottom. I figured that the wonderful hair divas on here could give me some advice.

 

[Twisties]

I guess it depends on the environment of the particular firm. If you know they are very conservative or not will help with your decision.

Some people have successfully interviewed in braids with no problems at all. If you do go that route, I would still wear the braids pinned up in a bun. Since it's only temporary and a few times, I would probably flat iron my hair or stick wth the bun for interviews, especially as a lawyer. Also since you feel uncomfortable about it, that might be your best option. If you go into the interview feeling nervous about your appearance, it might show up as lack of confidence.

It SHOULD be that as long as your hair is very neat it shouldn't be a problem with the style you choose, but in certains fields that might not be the case. I know there are some lawyers here who might have better input on this issue. I say get in the door and then wear your hair how you want.

 

[Kalani]

I guess it depends on the environment of the particular firm. If you know they are very conservative or not will help with your decision.

Some people have successfully interviewed in braids with no problems at all. If you do go that route, I would still wear the braids pinned up in a bun. Since it's only temporary and a few times, I would probably flat iron my hair or stick wth the bun for interviews, especially as a lawyer. Also since you feel uncomfortable about it, that might be your best option. If you go into the interview feeling nervous about your appearance, it might show up as lack of confidence.

It SHOULD be that as long as your hair is very neat it shouldn't be a problem with the style you choose, but in certains fields that might not be the case. I know there are some lawyers here who might have better input on this issue. I say get in the door and then wear your hair how you want.

I agree! Especially with the bolded. I've worked in a variety of corporate environments (back when I used to temp), and I think a bun might be your safest bet. Most important is that you feel comfortable and as confident as possible.

 

[Katt73]

I agree with the above posters. It's 2007 and we all SHOULD be able to wear our hair as we wish, but when it comes to looking for a job in a corporate environment, we've got to base our decisions on the culture of the firm/corporation/organization we're interested in. If you don't want to flat-iron and wear your hair down, how about a phony-bun? You can protect your hair and still have a cute, conservative look going. Then you can go right back to your wig once the interview is done.

 

[Cutiepie7691]

ITA with the above posters. I always wear my hair in a bun for interviews. I just think it looks more professional. And for some reason, I feel like when I wear my hair down that people aren't going to take me serious (that's just me though). Maybe because I feel like I look younger with my hair down. Micros are very easy to work with and can easily be put into a bun. I don't think you'll have a problem with them. Any braids that are larger in size I really wouldn't recommend. I feel like for jobs, you always want to have a neutral look. Nothing that you will be prejudged about. Good Luck .

 

[NYLegalNewbie]

I interviewed last summer and landed a gig with a big law firm here in NYC. I also know a lot of other Black women who interviewed with big wig law firms. So, here's my 2 cents...

Wear your hair in a manner that is neat, flattering and makes you feel comfortable. I know at least 3 women with afros who interviewed wearing their afros and got GREAT positions. The key is that they looked professional, hair and all (well, they were also highly qualified).

There are a multitude of ways to wear braids so that they look professional. Remember, you can put braids into an updo.

I wore my hair all summer in twist outs and used bantu knots to create curls. Not only was it okay, but I got compliments on my hair all summer long

If you are a highly qualified candidate, then you're going to have great job prospects unless you make a really gross fashion faux pas. It is not a faux pas to wear neat, flattering braids in a nice updo to an interview.

 

[Ms. JD]

I want to say THANK YOU to all of the ladies for your responses and insight. ITA that if you are qualified for the job then it shouldn't matter how you style your hair as long as it is neat and well put together. But there are so many old school white men in the law field who are still prejudiced and biased. I already catch enough attitude from attorneys in Philadelphia when I tell them that I am from NYC that I don't want my hair to be another issue. Over the summer I wore my hair in a bun every day for my internship so I guess I will go back to doing that for interviews or look into getting some micros.

Thanks again ladies!