Medium/semi-long hair on men - how much is it still frowned upon in professional jobs? (employment, applying)

[Flightoficarus87]

Hey all,

So I've been doing a bit of looking into this (including some old CD threads), and seem to be coming to the idea that the answer to this question is that....it depends?

I don't mean truly long hair, or anything really crazy (i.e - past shoulder length, dreadlocks, etc.), but more along the lines of well above the collar bone and well groomed/kept completely out of the face. Think something along the line some of the longer examples (but excluding the very longest examples) in this gallery - https://luxe.digital/lifestyle/style...dium-haircuts/

From what I've read, it sounds like it's still pretty much a no-go in more traditional/conservative industries. especially in roles where you are more "face-to-face" with customers/outside clients (i.e - outside sales reps, most management roles, particularly in industries like banking and real estate), but that it's less of an issue for places/roles with more "liberal" work culture (i.e - tech, the arts, some government jobs, etc. I've also read that location matters too (i.e - that it's easier to get away with in a politically liberal major coastal city than a more conservative smaller city in the middle of the US - I reside in the former...).

I'm actually in the process of trying to start a new career, ideally in some type of analyst role (such as a business analyst/other jobs that involve working with data), and have been spending some time learning some new skills (such as SQL) during the downturn.

While I understand that anything besides a more conservative/clean cut appearance can be a risk that could limit employment opportunities, the thing I'm trying to figure out is....how much in my case?

I would especially appreciate input from any hiring managers on here, but also from job seekers who have been in the same boat, and how it played out - were you able to land a role as-is? were you offered a job but told to change your appearance? or did you simply never hear back after interviews until you changed your appearance?

Thank you.

[charlygal]

I would just slick your hair straight back for interviewing. Jazz it up after you get hired and see the internal culture.

[Hemlock140]

I would suggest hanging out around the place where you consider applying, and watch people going in and out at start and quitting times to see what their culture looks like. In my Seattle office of about 400 there are maybe 3-4 guys that I know of with longer hair, and no one cares about it. We also have a few women with brightly dyed hair, such as green or magenta.

[ccm123]

It depends largely on the industry, position and culture. Here in Silicon Valley, I’ve seen males with every style of hair (or completely shaving their head) imaginable. Our engineers (who are usually non-client facing) have more flexibility in this regard.