Personal Question

[fabrisse]

I'm still having no luck on the job front. I'm trying to be good about sending out applications, but, honestly, I'm a little down at the moment. It doesn't help that someone described me as having phenomenal qualifications and then said they didn't want to interview me.

I was able to have a haircut (just a little shorter, getting rid of split ends) about a month ago, and I have a couple of summer weight outfits in case I do get an interview.

The question is should I dye my hair.

Frankly, I like the streak of grey that I have at the front. I hate the idea of chemicals in my hair. I also don't like the idea of pretending to be something I'm not.

But I've had a good friend and a couple of other people tell me that I won't be hired if I leave my hair alone. I won't seem as "vital" according to one person. Since I'm regularly told I look about ten years younger than my actual age, I don't know that vitality is an issue.

The biggie, the thing that's getting me to consider this at all, is cultural. This is the south. I wear more make-up to interviews than I would in southern California. In Boston, I haven't worn make-up in years. Down here, though, it's just not as acceptable. On the rare occasions when I've worn make-up to tutor (usually just after a job interview), everyone has gone out of her way to reinforce how lovely I look. I don't think they're calling me hideous without make-up, but they are trying to emphasize when I conform to the cultural norm.

So, should I do it? I must admit, my first thought is "If I'm going to dye it, Electric Blue is a good color," but I know that would defeat the purpose which is to get money.

Thoughts?

Comments

[aurora-novarum.livejournal.com]

It's a tough market out there, and you've got do anything you can to make them see your "packaging" as bright and shiny *pick me! pick me!* over all the other qualified candidates out there.

So yes, do the dying while you're working through this process and pick you out. Then they'll see what a great product (your brains and skills) they've got and not care what color the package was back when.

*good luck*

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[moria923.livejournal.com]

Any idea why the person who thought you had phenomenal qualifications didn't want to interview you? Did they think you were too qualified for the job, and would jump ship as soon as something better came along? Or did the job not quite match your qualifications? Or do you think the external "packaging" was really involved?

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

It may have been the jump ship fear. I think it's more that most of the people who work there are recent college graduates.

[snopes-faith.livejournal.com]

*I* liked the gry streak and think you do indeed seem just fine the way you are but yeah, this isn't about that - it's about looking like the applicant they picture, huh?
And here I really feel for you and I relate to the thing about not wanting to be something you aren't and indeed all about the pressure applied to conform. Fwiw, and with all due care and consideration this is one of the times I think if it was me, I'd temporarily go for putting the hair dye and make up on. Then stop and go back to the image I felt comfortable with when I had the job. But I promise I understand the ramifications of doing this.

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

The make-up isn't a problem. I like playing with make-up.

Dyeing my hair feels deceitful, but I've done the research and found a couple of brands that will wash out and don't use harsh chemicals. So, I give my hair a reddish rinse before I go on my next interview.

[eanja]

Sad to say, but I think it might not be a bad idea. I think you look fine as is, but reality suggests that looking mid-30s rather than mid-40s is probably not a bad thing when you want to be hired. It's unfair, but looks and conformity get weighed right in w/ qualifications, especially for women.

I they they make temporary dye for gray hair- I don't think regular temporary dyes wash out of gray very well, but if you could find something that wouldn't leave you needing to regrow the whole gray swoosh, would that help?

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've found a couple of brands that do "Level I" color. I think I'll be okay with something that doesn't use ammonia or peroxide.

Thank you.

[riverfox.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm coming across something similar in my job hunting considerations. So I figure we can do this: dye our hair closest to our own color. Once hired, we don't have to. ;)

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

That seems to be the concensus.

[elfwanderer.livejournal.com]

Employers in general are picking some pretty silly reasons not to hire people, primarily because they have to find a way to *sort* through the gazillions of resumes that are now landing on their desk. A friend of mine with a BS in psych (in her first year of a Ph.D. program) got turned down by my agency for an entry level slot because she is on the "research track." This coming from an agency that has to scrap for people who can fog up a mirror in normal economic times.

Do your best for sure, but don't take it personally.

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

Thank you. My biggest issue is I think dyed hair makes most people look older than their grey does. It seems so counter-intuitive to dye my hair to look younger. *G*

Still, needs must.

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the links. L'Oreal is pretty much out of the question. I have yet to find a level I color in their line. The smell of dyes and permanents is the main reason I avoid beauty shops. I'll often go to barbers instead. I can handle Bay Rhum much better than ammonia.

If you prepare the henna powder with coffee and cloves, you can get a darker shade than red out of it. Not that I've ever tried it. *G*

My big problem with henna at the moment is that it's difficult to get it to cover grey. Also, I'd love to go swimming this summer. Henna and pool water are a bad mix.