4 Hair Dos that are Don'ts when Interviewing

Before looking for a job take a quick look in the mirror. How’s your hair? Are you still sporting a style from the seventies? Do people stop in the street and stare or whisper when you walk by at the store? Certain coifs can cut your chances of getting a call back from a potential employer.

While I’m all for pushing business hair flair boundaries, some styles will make a lasting first impression and not in the way you would want. Here are 4 dos that are don’ts then trying to present yourself professionally.

1. Crazy Colors – It’s ok for senior board members to sport vibrant shades straight from the crayon box in fashion forward countries like Japan. In the U.S. however, unless you’re a celebrity in a highly artistic field it’s hard to land a job with blue hair. Trust me I know from firsthand experience. Gotta Have It? Wear a wig to work. As an added bonus your hair is ready before you in the morning.


2. Emo Overload – A Flock of Seagulls cut could put your career options in deep doo doo. Who could concentrate on work when wondering if their co worker was about to fly away? Stick to a style that isn’t crying so hard for attention. When considering how to wear your hair, keep in mind it’s very difficult to communicate with someone whose hair covers their eyes. Gotta Have It? Ask your stylist (we know you have one) to show you more conservative ways to comb your contemporary coif.


3. Natty Dreads – I appreciate the time and commitment it takes to truly cultivate dreadlocks. However, you’ll be hard-pressed to meet a hiring manager whose initial instinct isn’t to think “hippie” or “head” or both as a first impression. Gotta Have It? Don’t confirm stereotypes of dreads disguising dirt. Tight, well maintained dreads will fare better than big sloppy ones.


4. Mullet Madness – It might be business up front but the party in the back is going to kill any credibility you had for making good decisions. Gotta Have It? Find a career in trucking where people appreciate mud flaps a little more.

Are you looking for a job in the Philadelphia area? Be sure to visit PhillyJobs.

By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a multimedia developer with experience in web, film, photography and animation as well as traditional fine arts like painting and sculpting. In addition to writing for PhillyJobsBlog.com, she is co-founder of design and promotion company, Creative Kazoo with fellow Beyond.com blogger, Staci Dennis. Heather’s spare time consists of making puppets, teaching Sunday School, building Legos and doing science experiments with her children.