[OnmywaytoCPA]

I currently have long hair, but it is neat and groomed very well. Everyone on my current job loves my hair. I get compliments all of the time. And my wife really loves it. I have been on several interviews over the past six months. I did not get any of those jobs, so I kind of thought maybe it was my hair. But I also had about 15 phone interviews during that time and I did not get those either, so I started thinking maybe it wasn’t my hair. Do you all feel that a hairstyle could prevent a promotion or someone being hired in 2013? It seems to me that things should have changed over the years. All input is welcome.

Also I do have one job offer that I currently got today, but I was concerned that if I except the offer that later on down the road my hair maybe a factor. I’m not sure.

REG - 74, Retook 6/10/16, scored a 72 (Hate this exam)
BEC - 69, 79, 8/1/15
AUD - 83, 4/4/15
FAR - 77, 2/27/16

[notebook8]

I think most dress codes in office settings say no hair below the collar for men.

[notebook8]

I think most dress codes in office settings say no hair below the collar for men.

[rroano]

@ Notebook – I've never heard that before. That employer needs to be fired.

AUD 93 08/20/12
REG 87 11/26/12
BEC 91 02/25/13
FAR 98 05/14/13

Licensed in TX on July 2013.

[rroano]

@ Notebook – I've never heard that before. That employer needs to be fired.

AUD 93 08/20/12
REG 87 11/26/12
BEC 91 02/25/13
FAR 98 05/14/13

Licensed in TX on July 2013.

[Anonymous]

Lol @ firing the employer.

I think it depends on the city. In Austin, no one would blink twice.

[Anonymous]

Lol @ firing the employer.

I think it depends on the city. In Austin, no one would blink twice.

[superwario]

I think pictures are in order!

FAR - 89
AUD - 98
BEC - 86
REG - 10/02/13

[superwario]

I think pictures are in order!

FAR - 89
AUD - 98
BEC - 86
REG - 10/02/13

[evesocal]

I agree, it depends on the location as to how important your hair is. Are you in a more conservative area? How important is it to you to keep it long?

It may not be a negative but it's not going to be something in your favor, IMO. If there is another job applicant who is exactly equal to you in every way with short hair, I bet he'd get the job.

B: 75
R: 80
A: 77
F: 81
Ethics: 84, 92 and done!
Licensed in California

[evesocal]

I agree, it depends on the location as to how important your hair is. Are you in a more conservative area? How important is it to you to keep it long?

It may not be a negative but it's not going to be something in your favor, IMO. If there is another job applicant who is exactly equal to you in every way with short hair, I bet he'd get the job.

B: 75
R: 80
A: 77
F: 81
Ethics: 84, 92 and done!
Licensed in California

[notebook8]

haha I understand what you mean.

But is it pony-tail long or Justin Bieber long (for lack of a better example)? That could make all the difference.

[notebook8]

haha I understand what you mean.

But is it pony-tail long or Justin Bieber long (for lack of a better example)? That could make all the difference.

[Anonymous]

“How long is long” is a good question and also “where are ya?”

For example, in the area that I live in, people are generally fairly accepting…but, if your hair was say mid-back or longer, then the association would be with the uneducated people back in the hills (aka hillbillies). It's not that having long hair makes you uneducated, but because the vast majority of guys with such long hair are in the hills (and it's unkempt and they don't take care of it), that's what people would think of when they saw your hair. But, on the other hand, you could have it spiked, and probably even dyed funny colors, and still get the job, because around here people are *more* accepting, it's just that long hair specifically would probably be looked at oddly.

In general, I'd say that officially, hair length and gender wouldn't matter. You could ask every one of those past interviews, and they'd never say a thing against it, because they probably don't realize or admit that it made a difference. But did it make a difference? Yeah, maybe. Part of the reason is that the person doing the hiring didn't start their career in 2013. They very well may have started it in the 70's. And the meaning of long hair on a guy has gone through a lot of changes from the 70's till now!

But all that being said, I wouldn't cut your hair off. You have a job offer – I'd see how that job goes, and try to “read between the lines” of your superior's views on longer hair. If they never say anything positive about it, that might be a caution to you. But, initially, I'd keep it.

Ironically, as a female, I feel somewhat similarly about my hair. It's long, thick, and I love it. 🙂 But I feel like it never looks professional. Pretty, if I do say so myself, but not professional. If I cut it off and went with a 2-4″ style with some highlights, I think it would look worlds more professional…but for now, I'm keeping it. Because it is part of who I am. I have a job which is plenty good enough for me for now. If I run into problems down the road, I'll think about it, but for now, I'm going to enjoy it while I have the chance. 🙂

[Anonymous]

“How long is long” is a good question and also “where are ya?”

For example, in the area that I live in, people are generally fairly accepting…but, if your hair was say mid-back or longer, then the association would be with the uneducated people back in the hills (aka hillbillies). It's not that having long hair makes you uneducated, but because the vast majority of guys with such long hair are in the hills (and it's unkempt and they don't take care of it), that's what people would think of when they saw your hair. But, on the other hand, you could have it spiked, and probably even dyed funny colors, and still get the job, because around here people are *more* accepting, it's just that long hair specifically would probably be looked at oddly.

In general, I'd say that officially, hair length and gender wouldn't matter. You could ask every one of those past interviews, and they'd never say a thing against it, because they probably don't realize or admit that it made a difference. But did it make a difference? Yeah, maybe. Part of the reason is that the person doing the hiring didn't start their career in 2013. They very well may have started it in the 70's. And the meaning of long hair on a guy has gone through a lot of changes from the 70's till now!

But all that being said, I wouldn't cut your hair off. You have a job offer – I'd see how that job goes, and try to “read between the lines” of your superior's views on longer hair. If they never say anything positive about it, that might be a caution to you. But, initially, I'd keep it.

Ironically, as a female, I feel somewhat similarly about my hair. It's long, thick, and I love it. 🙂 But I feel like it never looks professional. Pretty, if I do say so myself, but not professional. If I cut it off and went with a 2-4″ style with some highlights, I think it would look worlds more professional…but for now, I'm keeping it. Because it is part of who I am. I have a job which is plenty good enough for me for now. If I run into problems down the road, I'll think about it, but for now, I'm going to enjoy it while I have the chance. 🙂

[Anonymous]

If you look like Joe Dirt, it is probably costing you LOL

[Author]

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