Interview hair

[Napia Mia]

So, remember back in the day, how we would go round circles about what was "professional" hair to wear on an interview? Well, I'm so incredibly over that conversation. I've been unemployed for coming up on 6 months. I've been wearing plaits all this time and each time I went on an interview I would take my braids down and do a braid out. So cute but very time consuming cause I would come right back home and braid it up.

Ain't nobody got time for that!!!

So last Friday I decided to wear my hair in large plaits to an interview for a training and development specialist. I wore business casual attire, put on some lipstick and earrings. Did my interview and gave a 10 minute presentation. Now honestly I thought my presentation had bombed, lol. Apparently it had not because yesterday, I got an email from the recruiter who said I was the top candidate and they just had to talk with one last reference. If I'm reading her correctly, my job offer should come tomorrow. Woohoo! Wish me luck y'all.

So much for certain hair styles being unprofessional!

[AutumnRain]

You don't need luck, it sounds like you may already have the job.

I have locks and for interviews I have worn a colorful tam that goes with my outfit and covers my locks completely. Most folks, including black folks, have asked me what I was wearing, how much hair I was hiding under the tam and what my religion is. Folks are a little more relaxed with interview attire these days. They see natural hair enough and may not be as biased as they were back in the day.

[Napia Mia]

You don't need luck, it sounds like you may already have the job.

I have locks and for interviews I have worn a colorful tam that goes with my outfit and covers my locks completely. Most folks, including black folks, have asked me what I was wearing, how much hair I was hiding under the tam and what my religion is. Folks are a little more relaxed with interview attire these days. They see natural hair enough and may not be as biased as they were back in the day.

You are so right. Over the past several years, I have been laid off a couple of times from a couple of different companies so unfortunately, I've been in the market for a job much more than I have cared. I have yet to interview in a suit like back in the day. I'm business casual all the way. Honestly, the tide has really turned with regard to the acceptance of natural hair. Especially on our end. We're comfortable so that makes it a non negotiable. I can't believe that it took me this long to wear my plaits to an interview and you best believe I'll be wearing my hair like this to work.

[AutumnRain]

You are so right. Over the past several years, I have been laid off a couple of times from a couple of different companies so unfortunately, I've been in the market for a job much more than I have cared. I have yet to interview in a suit like back in the day. I'm business casual all the way. Honestly, the tide has really turned with regard to the acceptance of natural hair. Especially on our end. We're comfortable so that makes it a non negotiable. I can't believe that it took me this long to wear my plaits to an interview and you best believe I'll be wearing my hair like this to work.

Yes, definitely on our end. Folks aren't trying to 'assimilate' with regards to their hair as they use to years ago. I don't care to either, whether it is with a predominantly black or mixed work place. Folks are more comfortable in their own skin and way of life.

I'm business casual also. Gotta love the ease of slacks, a nice blouse and a cardigan.

[Napia Mia]

I got my offer today y’all! Woohoo! I start Jan. 2nd.

[LBellatrix]

YAAAAASSSSSSSSSSS!!!! Congratulations, NM!

And yeah, eff that whole "assimilation" thing.

[Napia Mia]

YAAAAASSSSSSSSSSS!!!! Congratulations, NM!

And yeah, eff that whole "assimilation" thing.

Thanks so much LBell!

For real! I just can't any more. If I take my hair down, it's just because I want to change it up a bit. But honestly, I really love my plaits. If I want to wear a puff, I've got a fake one that works just fine, lol. I'll leave braid outs for special occasions. If I try to leave my hair out for longer than a couple of days, I start getting lazy and the next thing I know, I've got a mega detangling session to do. I'll tell ya, for quite awhile, I was considering a TWA.

[AutumnRain]

I got my offer today y’all! Woohoo! I start Jan. 2nd.

Congratulations NM!!

[Napia Mia]

Congratulations NM!!

Thanks so much!

[liberationtheory]

It's interesting and liberating to think how much interview hair has changed. When I lived in Dallas when I first got married, I was the only person in my school with natural hair.

When I moved back to Dallas in 2013, I wore my hair straightened for a principal interview. As soon as I got the job, I BC'd. Now, almost NO ONE has relaxed hair anymore. I interview guys with braids, twist outs, all sorts of natural hair. No one considers it "unprofessional" and I love how much times have changed.