Could It be My hair????

[LuvlyRain3]

So for the past few months i have been looking for a new job. I have had a lot of good interviews and lot of places wanted to hire me but they just didn't work with my school schedule.

I bcd in June and since I've been wearing my natural hair i have not been able to get passed the interview phase. I just had a group interview with a big clothing store yesterday. I had the most experience out of all the other applicants. And i had better availability. But for some reason the employer seemed be taking a shine to the other applicants. I was the only African American at the interview. I personally hate group interviews because i feel like it becomes more of a competition than an interview. I really hate to think that my hair would be the reason. But what else could It be?? I usually get call backs and now Im not anymore.

I needed this app!!!

 

[danysedai]

from what I see in your picture, your hair looks lush and it shows that you are taking care of it. I'd recommend that you practice your interview skills with a friend and maybe there is something that you are overlooking(for example, I didn't know,until I practiced with a friend, that I tend not to smile when I'm at an interview and I come across as too serious,in fact,years ago I interviewed for a hair salon in Montreal and was told that I didn't smile).
If it it's race, then you definitely don't want to work for those companies. There are some threads in here about being natural and the work place and job interviews. I know that I'm relaxed and can't give much advice,but I'm black and I've been in your place lots of times. Keep your head up, practice your skills and don't let any negative thoughts in your head.

 

[Solitude]

OP, you said that several companies wanted to hire you, but the problem was your school schedule. If that's true, why do you think it's your hair holding you back?

There is also stiffer competition for jobs these days. It's also possible that the other applicants are actually well-qualified. I'm just throwing out some ideas here.

I actually like group interviews...maybe it came through in that interview that you weren't completely comfortable with the setting.

Also, how do you usually were your hair during your interviews?

 

[LuvlyRain3]

I started looking for another job last semester. But my schedule was hectic. This semester i only have classes on Tuesday and Thursday. When i send out my resumes i get replies by the end of the day. But in the interview the employers seem kind of put off. I actually smile a good bit. My interview yesterday was for aeropostale. Everyone one else in the group had little to no retail or money handling experience. And they didn't want to close or work really on the weekends. I let him no about my school schedule and told him that i have no problem working late. He just didn't seem to like me at all. I've been getting side eyes and rude comments about my hair from the place i work at now. Which is why i started looking for a new job again.

I needed this app!!!

 

[LuvlyRain3]

Oh and yesterday i wore my hair in some neat twists.

I needed this app!!!

 

[JuiceMobsta]

I started looking for another job last semester. But my schedule was hectic. This semester i only have classes on Tuesday and Thursday. When i send out my resumes i get replies by the end of the day. But in the interview the employers seem kind of put off. I actually smile a good bit. My interview yesterday was for aeropostale. Everyone one else in the group had little to no retail or money handling experience. And they didn't want to close or work really on the weekends. I let him no about my school schedule and told him that i have no problem working late. He just didn't seem to like me at all. I've been getting side eyes and rude comments about my hair from the place i work at now. Which is why i started looking for a new job again.

I needed this app!!!

Hmmmm. Do you have any pictures of how you wore your hair?

And to the bolded, there will always be ppl who might have something negative to say. Starting a different job may only perpetuate the problem because you may encounter the same side-eyes and rude comments yet again. Its kind of like this: Same ish, different toilet. Lol.

 

[gadgetdiva]

It is not your hair! Its the interviewer's narrow thought process! Seriously though...it could be your limited availability and your vast experience (they may not be trying to pay as much as they feel you deserve). In this economy everyone seems to be going for cheap now IMO.

Don't leave your current place of employment...there will be negative ppl anywhere you go...don't allow them to steal your joy or 'run' you!

 

[LuvlyRain3]

The thing is my availability is was was better than the other applicants and i had way more experience. Im available at anytime 5days out of the week. The other applicants didn't want to close or work on the weekends. Plus i was the only one with any retail experience. The problem with my current job is that the negative comments are coming from my manager.

I needed this app!!!

 

[changingSeasons]

It could be your hair, but also Aeropostale is somewhat known, at least in my area for not hiring many black people anyways so it could be a combination of things.

 

[LuvlyRain3]

^^^ you are right about that. They are going for the Laguna beach look i guess.

I needed this app!!!

 

[gadgetdiva]

The thing is my availability is was was better than the other applicants and i had way more experience. Im available at anytime 5days out of the week. The other applicants didn't want to close or work on the weekends. Plus i was the only one with any retail experience. The problem with my current job is that the negative comments are coming from my manager.

I needed this app!!!

Not cool! That creates for an unhealthy workplace environment. I see why you're wanting change. Remember to stay positive...not everyone is going to embrace what you do...if it is for you it will work out. In the meantime play with some styles (not saying straighten) for the interview process and consider the places of employment.

 

[naturalmanenyc]

What kind of comments is the manager making about your hair? And does your hair play a role in the job i.e., do you work at a hair salon? If not, I would probably go to HR to discuss his negative hair comments. You should not quit your job based on his foolishness.

I would hope that the competition is the reason that you have not gotten offers, but there have been plenty of cases where companies discriminated against applicants based on any number of traits - especially in the fashion industry.

The thing is my availability is was was better than the other applicants and i had way more experience. Im available at anytime 5days out of the week. The other applicants didn't want to close or work on the weekends. Plus i was the only one with any retail experience. The problem with my current job is that the negative comments are coming from my manager.

I needed this app!!!

 

[Sondice]

Nah, same thing happens so alot of people, happened to me, graduated in May, and Im just now finding a job, and Im relaxed lol, I blame it on the economy,I wouldnt worry about your hair too mcuh

 

[LuvlyRain3]

What kind of comments is the manager making about your hair? And does your hair play a role in the job i.e., do you work at a hair salon? If not, I would probably go to HR to discuss his negative hair comments. You should not quit your job based on his foolishness.

I would hope that the competition is the reason that you have not gotten offers, but there have been plenty of cases where companies discriminated against applicants based on any number of traits - especially in the fashion industry.

He calls me nappy head all the time. Nappy has never bothered me but the way he says it is very rude. Even my coworkers have noticed the uneccesary comments. When i bcd he asked me if i was having a life crisis and he just always seems to have something to say about my hair. I work in a mall. My job has nothing to do with hair at all.



I needed this app!!!

 

[SimJam]

He calls me nappy head all the time. Nappy has never bothered me but the way he says it is very rude. Even my coworkers have noticed the uneccesary comments. When i bcd he asked me if i was having a life crisis and he just always seems to have something to say about my hair. I work in a mall. My job has nothing to do with hair at all.



I needed this app!!!

now thats just not called for. WTF !!!

 

[LifeafterLHCF]

Lady why haven't you called HR..that a definite hostile work environment.Your boss has no authority to say anything unless its for some reason was hindering performance of the company..I def would get the hell out but not until I had him fired or reprimanded.

Im with you on the hair.I'm natural and have been for 3 yrs but I'm thinking of relaxing as I walk in Dec and I tired of the wigs..I hate this damn society

 

[Freespirit02]

Girllllllllllllllllllll!! you need to handle that. That is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Start documenting every single time your manager makes those comments. You don't deserve this. The only reason he is doing it, is because he knows he can get away with it.

 

[Jenn22588]

I would try the Gap or Old Navy. They don't discriminate. I've been at Old Navy for a year part-time and they've worked with all kinds of crazy schedules, even people that can only work when home for (college) holiday breaks. I just changed my availability to once a week, my store manager was disappointed but was cool with it. The money isn't great but they do pay for experience (you may have to ask for more).

 

[LuvlyRain3]

Girllllllllllllllllllll!! you need to handle that. That is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Start documenting every single time your manager makes those comments. You don't deserve this. The only reason he is doing it, is because he knows he can get away with it.

I have been doing just that. Since the first time he made a comment about my bc i knew it wouldn't be the last.


I needed this app!!!

 

[southerncitygirl]

please reprt you current boss to hr and i think you should avoid applying to places where there aren't many faces of color.

 

[janda]

He calls me nappy head all the time. Nappy has never bothered me but the way he says it is very rude. Even my coworkers have noticed the uneccesary comments. When i bcd he asked me if i was having a life crisis and he just always seems to have something to say about my hair. I work in a mall. My job has nothing to do with hair at all.



I needed this app!!!

This is beyond inappropriate. I think the abusive comments from your manager are affecting you and your perspective. You need to lodge a complaint, in writing, with HR about this immediately. If action is not taken, contact an attorney who does employment law. I can't believe someone would make those kinds of comment.