I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new j

I like my long hair- it's a symbol of my own identity. Why do I prefer it? I like heavy metal, I am a guitar player, and I am a nonconformist.

BUT- I am in a serious relationship with a girl, and she and her Mum think I should cut it, because it would greatly improve my chances of landing a new job.

But if I keep it clean, brushed, and back neatly in a ponytail (which I always do), then what's the big deal?

The truth is that narrow minded people will have a problem with my hair- broad minded people will not. It all depends on the individual employer.

I am a paralegal, in case you are curious about the field of my vocation.

Be honest with your answers, please. Will cutting my hair greatly help my chances for getting that new, well-paying job? Keep in mind that I am well kempt, although, again, narrow minded people may think the opposite from my outer appearance...

I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new job?

I am an attorney, own my own firm. My paralegals are present in depositions and sometimes meet with the clients to handle minor issues. It is important that each person has a conservative appearance. Like it or not, the majority of paying clients do not like long hair on men. If you keep your hair in most firms you will be relegated to the back room to do research, you will not be give opportunities to do anything that involves clients.

This is the type of thing we sacrifice to be in the legal field. I like heavy metal too, but the waiting room here has 'lite rock' music.

I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new job?

and it'll make you less gay.

I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new job?

As sad as this is, I think it may help. People really do judge based on appearance.

I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new job?

yes it will...Go for it!!

I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new job?

It absolutely will improve your chances of landing a job.

As a HR manager/recruiter I have recruited for many different hiring managers and I have to tell you out of a couple hundred, I can only remember 2 that hired a long haired/pony tailed man.

If you are prepared to go on a couple hundred interviews to find the more open-minded employer, good luck.

I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new job?

Law firm? Bank? Oh, yes. Right away.

Architectural firm? Maybe not so much.

It's the corporate culture to which you apply that makes such a big difference.

Academics, writers, anything intellectual or artsy MAY be a lot more lenient.

But if you picture walking into a reception area with a high-backed leather chair with those little metal studs framing them, or something that stuffy, then, um, scissors it is.

I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new job?

It al depends what kind of job you are looking for, Trust me there are a lot of people working in a very good kind of jobs with long hair. The boss will much care less about your hair then your work. As long as you do your duty right and finish in a timely manner it should be and again you are right its all depends on people. I will hair you if you can do your job right.

I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new job?

You should cut your hair. It will look way nicer, beleive me. You'll make a better impression. Go 4 it!!

I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new job?

It probably will help you land a job. The good thing is, you can always grow it back!

I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new job?

I have no problem with long hair on men as long as they keep it clean and neat. I think a law firm would not agree. call some personnel offices and ask their policy on men's hair length. if you come into contact with clients, they might want you to have a certain look.

I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new job?

yes it will help. It makes you look more professional and less like a bum (it's the hard truth).

I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new job?

Yes, it will help immensely.

Like it or not, the people who run the business world are conservative, narrow minded fuddy-duddys. If you deal with any customers face-to-face at all, your employer will want to make sure that your appearance or actions will not offend anyone whatsoever. So long hair, tattoos, piercings, perhaps even facial hair...are generally out.

Some professions are much more lax about your appearance. A skilled computer programmer, for instance, is probably already thought to an independent nerd/geek with few social skills...but as long as they are good programmers, employers look the other way. A telemarketing position is usually pretty flexible in terms of your appearance, since the customer will never see you.

A good rule of thumb is, if the public (or customer) will ever see or meet you, your appearance must be ultraconservative.

I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new job?

to most people you would apprear more proffessional with short hair.

I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new job?

'Outer appearance' is what prospective employers see when someone's applying for a job. Think about that.

If people you care about think your chances would improve if you cut your hair, - why not try it.

The good thing about hair is that it will grow back.

I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new job?

yes

Take yourself - don't you judge beauty or anticipate a stranger personality by their look. Would you like to be on a operating table with a surgeon who look like a weirdo?

I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new job?

Oh geez, of all the fields you could be in, the legal field is probably the first one to shun you because of the long hair. I'm not saying it's fair, but it's true. I'm a paralegal too, and I know how it goes in this field. But my husband is a rocker in a band.....LOL!

Anyway, you are going to have to break down and cut the hair off. If you luck into a job with a good boss, you may be able to work your way into letting it grow out some later once you prove yourself to be a worthy employee and they get past the appearance stage.

I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new job?

I know several guys in this field with long hair/pony tails such as you describe; hasn't bothered them with their work.

It may just depend on the office you apply; if you see how they are dressed/cut, then you might want to do the same, and then let it grow back out.

My nephew did.

I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new job?

While appearance does matter quite a bit in a professional environment, your aptitute plays a larger role with many employers. If you are the best in your field, looks can be...less stressed.

If you are trying to break into a professional role, loose the hair, get the rep. and know that cutting your hair didn't "change" who you are....just as others saw you. If they see you different, your chances increase exponentially.

I have long hair, and I am a dude- will cutting my hair really improve my chances of landing a new job?

Yes, it may improve your chances......

In a perfect world, as long as you do good work, you get the job done, and you don't cause conflicts, who cares what you look like...

It is a well known fact that all HR managers are irrational, insecure bigots, who are control freaks and can't see the bigger picture......;-)

Seriously As long as you are clean shaven, you hair is well trimmed, you are well dressed, and you are polite and courteous, then the long hair probably isn't a big problem...

The trouble is, some employers still use the "elimination" system of hiring, though they often shoot themselves in the foot this way....By turning down excellent employees for superficial reasons, and hiring those who are good at "selling themselves" but only mediocre otherwise....

The best way to get around the numbers game of the "elimination" system,( I believe,) is simply to be self confident, and highly persistent. Get as many interviews as possible, and don't take no for an answer, until they tell you to stop calling them......

Good luck,

~Donkey Hotei