Getting a job with extreme hair

Draconysius · 01-13-2008, 08:29 PM

My hairstyle is not the most socially acceptable one there is; it's long and straight on one side and almost bald on the other. So, I was wondering if it's really that hard to get a job with "extreme" hair? There are many bandmembers out there as well with unusual hairstyles, and a few people on these boards as well, and I'm certain at least some of you found jobs, so I'd like to hear where you got jobs, what kind you would look for, or what you could do to "disguise" it for work.

HumanePain · 01-13-2008, 08:34 PM

Would you entertain the idea of a getting conservative haircut, getting the job, and then gradually reverting to your true style? 'Tis what I did.

Or be very, very, very good at doing something everyone needs so you have more freedom.

Otherwise, score the ideal jobs: I have a friend named Chris who works at a vintage clothing store (they also sell vintage vinyl records and all kinds of CDs), and he works with hawk up, tats displayed and pincushion head. In that kind of store, he looks similar to the clientèle.

Green.Lady · 01-13-2008, 09:19 PM

Not Starbucks! (They won't even hire me because I have more than one hole in each earlobe.) As HP said, CD stores, "alternative" clothing stores, most smaller chains of coffee shops... A lot of larger companies have policies that you can't discriminate against someone based on their appearance, so that could make the search a bit easier.

Does it look ridiculous if you comb it over?

KontanKarite · 01-13-2008, 09:38 PM

You need to find employment that doesn't require others to see you.

Try a call center. Data Entry or Outsourcing. Those things are pretty good at not making you look like a complete uninspired and boring tool.

Tam Li Hua · 01-14-2008, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KontanKarite

You need to find employment that doesn't require others to see you.

Try a call center. Data Entry or Outsourcing. Those things are pretty good at not making you look like a complete uninspired and boring tool.

Eh, it depends on the company. I worked as a dispatcher for a computer company for a while, and even though no one ever saw us much, we still had to adhere to a dress code. :/ [Besides which, those jobs are incredibly boring...though the pay and the benefits are usually pretty good. *shrug*]

The best bet is to find a job suiting to your fashion style. I think the small coffee shop or alternative fashion shop would be excellent.

maggot · 01-15-2008, 03:01 PM

The Starbucks' in Allston and Brighton, Mass have some 'x-treme m-ployees'

honeythorn · 01-15-2008, 03:14 PM

I go to work with my hair " large " as in crimped, backcombed and sprayed to hell and back. But I work in a factory so no one gives a toss. And I for one, do not recommend what I do. Can you..tie it back in any way without it looking silly? How long is it exactly?

TopHaggardDoll · 01-16-2008, 02:46 AM

I have a mowhawk and I wear it how you described. I just grow the shaved bits abit put in clip in extensions then put a middle parting in...then either tie it back or put an alice band in. Because you're a bloke you might just want to tie it back.

I haven't had to do that for awhile because i'm a hairdresser and they like crazy hair, my mate worked in a hair salon with neon green dreads for 2 years.

Darcnyss · 01-16-2008, 03:04 AM

Where I work I usually show up all 'gothified'. Nobody here has any issues with how I look. I guess it does kind of help that I work for an indie games company...

kimaru · 01-16-2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KontanKarite

You need to find employment that doesn't require others to see you.

Try a call center. Data Entry or Outsourcing. Those things are pretty good at not making you look like a complete uninspired and boring tool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOTxhyOM30g

...I don't know why I posted this, -_- I just did....

wonderland · 01-17-2008, 06:18 AM

The dress code at Starbucks varies by location. Some want you to be super-conservative, some actually prefer employees to look "edgy" - it's whatever appeals to the clientele in the area.

Computer companies tend to be pretty accepting. As long as you know what you're doing, they don't typically care what you look like. There are, of course, exceptions. And you would, of course, have to know computers. But it does tend to be a more inclusive industry. Crazy hair, tattoos, stretched lobes, chains, etc. are all pretty common. I do sometimes get a raised eyebrow if the spikes on my collars/cuffs get too big. But I've never been asked to take them off.

chelseagirl · 01-17-2008, 07:25 AM

I've worked at two separate law firms with a red and black mohawk. At one of the firms, I was actually encouraged to wear it "up" because my boss thought it was cool. I guess I've really lucked out with finding open minded employers.

badteccy · 01-17-2008, 07:36 AM

I've never been able to have an "extreme" hairstyle because I've been working since I was 14

And...Catholic school

redbamboo · 01-28-2008, 09:59 PM

invest in a wig. thats what i did so i can have pink hair

Tam Li Hua · 01-29-2008, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbamboo

invest in a wig. thats what i did so i can have pink hair

Hmm...interesting ideas you do have.

Haunted House · 01-29-2008, 09:28 AM

If you can, get a job at a thrift store. Most don't care at all what you look like. I worked at a non-profit, Christian run thrift store for a bit and never got any comments on how I looked at all. I think I'm going to try and work there again.

Tam Li Hua · 01-29-2008, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haunted House

If you can, get a job at a thrift store. Most don't care at all what you look like. I worked at a non-profit, Christian run thrift store for a bit and never got any comments on how I looked at all. I think I'm going to try and work there again.

How's the payrate for something like that? [Most of the time when i end up in corporate america, it's because of the money unfortunately. -_-;;]

Haunted House · 01-29-2008, 10:46 AM

It doesn't pay as well as most other jobs. Better than minimum wage I know. But it's a good payrate for such simple work. Plus the second hand clothes finds are pretty cool. Ripe for DIY.

Paigeybobert · 01-29-2008, 10:50 AM

I'm sorry, man. I had to shave my deathawk in order to get a job.

Lolly PopMuzik · 01-29-2008, 10:59 PM

Well, it never hurts to just ask. Worked for me when I went job hunting today.

TopHaggardDoll · 01-30-2008, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbamboo

invest in a wig. thats what i did so i can have pink hair

That's exactly what i'm going to do, i've shaved my mohawk abit too high (by accident) so wearing it with a parting wont cut it now.

Solumina · 01-30-2008, 08:52 AM

when my hair was blue for a bit I was working for the Piedmont Environmental Council which is a nonprofit that seeks to help the Piedmont area of Virginia continue to grow but in a way that doesn't hinder its natural resources and beauty. They really didn't much care what I looked like as long as I did what they needed me to, although I'm sure this would have been different if I was working outside of the office (very conservative area and they really can't afford to alienate anyone)

badteccy · 02-02-2008, 07:11 AM

Also, maybe you should just cut it or something? I mean, extreme hair is cool and all, but I think being able to get a job is way more important than having a neat haircut.

Graveyard.Crow · 02-02-2008, 12:54 PM

I just hate how we have to sacrifice in in the first place though. I want to get my bridge done but can't because I feel like I won't be able to get a decent job with it, in the long run that is.

Graveyard.Crow · 02-02-2008, 12:57 PM

Now that I think about it, would it be that big a deal for me to get a bridge piercing? Like would it hinder my chances of getting jobs, and I mean not just part time jobs but in GENEREAL.