Need some opinions/advice.

[tokerpipes]

I am back guys. Finally found work, even though I have settled for less than half of what I was making.
But that's not why am asking for the help. I have an interview coming up that was totally unexpected.

I happen to know the person giving the interview and he knows me to have earrings and long hair. My question is this: should I change my appearance to get the job?
I will probably take out the earings for the interview, but realy don't want to cut the hair. It took 3 years to get it to the middle of my back and was planning on putting finishing wax on the top and tieing it up into a pony tail. My wife would kill me if I cut it but I don't want it to jeapordise my chances of getting this bigger possible position. HELP?

 

[scurvydog]

I shave my head and love it...I'm not saying, I'm just saying.

 

[mick]

Regardless of how you look, per se, it is imperative to look neat and clean. That said, an interview is by and large not so much about your ability as it is about making sure that you are a good "fit" for the organization and that is something very hard to discern in advance. In short, no, I would not cut my hair if I were you.

 

[ejames]

How 'bout a pony tail-inside your jacket?

 

[philobeddoe]

What kind of job? Is it uptight office job, or an artsy, more progressive workplace. Will long hair be a hazard, like in a factory? All things being equal, don't cut your hair unless they ask you to, the earrings are up to you, how conservative is the work environment?
And lastly, how bad do you need the job?

 

[baronsamedi]

Lose the earrings, pull the hair back and he'll tell you if you need to cut it for the job.

 

[grizzly86]

I would ask in the interview if it would be a problem. Sometimes you got to do what you got to do; but hell find out if ya gota do it first.
Good to see you back toker you have been missed.

 

[winton]

Since I started losing my hair at 18, and what I have now is mostly grey, I might not be the person to ask. Your wife would be most important. Glad you got work now. It has been a long time. I hope you find what you need to take care of your family.
Winton

 

[captainprophesy]

I say take the earings out and look as sharp as you can.... Cut the hair only if they ask you, whether in the interview or once you get the job.
Good luck bro... Hope you nail it!

 

[tokerpipes]

Its a desk job in a cube. Won't be seeing the public. And the last place I did the same job and they had no issue but it is in the mortgage industry with one of the major national banks.

 

[rickpal14]

Lose the earrings, pull the hair back and he'll tell you if you need to cut it for the job.

+1

 

[bigvan]

It depends on the company and the industry they're in.

 

[philobeddoe]

Keep the hair until asked to cut it. Remove the earrings for the interview.

 

[numbersix]

So much depends on the type of job. If appearance counts, then yes. If you're going for a job as programmer or a job that pays purely for intellectual talent, I'd say no.

 

[bigvan]

I was a hiring manager in the banking/financial services industry for almost 20 years and am currently working in HR at a major hospital, and if it came down to two candidates of similar abilities and experiences and one had hair down his back and earrings and the other didn't, I'd probably pick the other guy. Sorry, but appearance matters and a candidate who shows up for an interview looking like a rock star is (in my opinion) showing bad judgement. Unfair? Perhaps, but "professional presence and bearing" is a legitimate consideration for hiring managers.
It sucks, I know. You could cut your hair and still NOT get the job. But when you're job hunting you want everything about you to tell the interviewer that you're smart, you make sound decisions and you're going to fit into their environment.
I hope this advice helps. Good luck.

 

[gwtwdbss]

Hey Toker. I guess it all depends on the type of environment it is as others have said. If you know the guy personally I would ask him his thoughts before the interview. Your willingness to adapt may be look very favorable. If you were single I would say go the Howard Roark route from the book, The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand and don't settle or do anything that doesn't feel right inside. However, at this stage in your life you do have others to consider. It is very tough decision when others are involved unfortunately. Best of luck to ya man!

 

[numbersix]

Followup: I work in marketing and the exec. director is a conservative guy, former military officer. The person who formerly had my job was covered in piercings (highly respected and wasn't fired, he quit) and the marketing director has a nose piercing.
But we don't deal directly with the public - so that to me makes the difference. Even though the Exec. Director may not like piercings, long hair, etc., that didn't stop him from hiring the right people.
So I would say follow your gut on this one...

 

[portascat]

What do your potential work mates look like?
If they all channel Mitt Romney, lose the hair.
If it is a mixed bunch, ditch the earrings and keep the rug.
I would say ditch the earrings at work, no matter what the hair.

 

[dochudson]

mortgage industry with one of the major national banks.

I have to agree with bigvan lose the earings and get a professional haircut and clean-up the face hair. If the guy knows you he will see you are serious about wanting the job and went the extra mile to get it. it will get you extra points. Your wife would really prefer you keep the hair and miss out on doubling your income? since it wasn't mentioned I assume you will be dressing for a bank job?

 

[tokerpipes]

Of course slacks, dress shirt, and tie.