Need Opinion From Corporate Ladies

[movingforward]

Hi Ladies,

I’m interviewing for Manager level positions.

Do you think this hairstyle would be considered unprofessional for an interview. I’m referring to the shoulder length senegalese twists

Editing - I’m referring to the shoulder length Senegalese twists not the hairstyle.

Another pic

 

[Aggie]

Hmm, I probably wouldn't go for a high level position interview with that style myself. I would pull it back or up high in a bun and bun it with pins to keep the hair in place to look very professional. But then that's just me. I have gotten every position I have ever interviewed for until I decided to work for myself.

I believe that first impression really matters on all levels, especially looks. Interviewers start to make their assessment of you as soon as they see you and what comes out of your mouth either seals or breaks the deal.

All the best sweetie. I pray you get the position you're seeking.

 

[movingforward]

Hmm, I probably wouldn't go for a high level position interview with that style myself. I would pull it back or up high in a bun and bun it with pins to keep the hair in place to look very professional. But then that's just me. I have gotten every position I have ever interviewed for until I decided to work for myself.

I believe that first impression really matters on all levels, especially looks. Interviewers start to make their assessment of you as soon as they see you and what comes out of your mouth either seals or breaks the deal.

All the best sweetie. I pray you get the position you're seeking.

Would you do the shoulder length senegalese twists? I agree the hairstyle isn’t appropriate for interviews.

 

[OhTall1]

I think SL twists would be fine as long as they weren't casually styled like the pic in the OP

 

[sunnieb]

Shoulder length twists look fine to me. I'm partial to putting them in a bun, but that's just me. Down would look fine too.

Good luck!

 

[sunflora]

I would put them into a bun. Hair away from face is a go-to for interviews.

 

[Dee-Licious]

Best wishes!!
My interview day hair is definitely different that my I already got the job and no big meetings hair.

For me, the hair in the OP would be “no” for interview day and a “maybe” when I got the job and a “yes” after I had been there for a second if that was my kind of style.

It’s cute but not in that style for interview day in a high level corporate experience. Bun would be the possible way to make this work.

 

[Aggie]

Would you do the shoulder length senegalese twists? I agree the hairstyle isn’t appropriate for interviews.

Personally I wouldn't. I like looking as professional as possible because I want to be taken seriously. Many tend to judge you by the way you look and I wouldn't want to look playful if I'm seeking a managerial position.

 

[Black Ambrosia]

Is this at a different company or your current employer? If I normally wore my hair like this and its the same company then I'd put it in a bun and go for it. They know what you look like. If this is a style I'm thinking about getting and I'm now questioning it because of the interview then I definitely wouldn't do it. IMO this falls into the category of 'If you have to ask then you already know the answer.'

 

[sunnieb]

Just don't appear too casual. The last young lady to interview in my department had twists and pulled them back in a neat ponytail. The way she styled them looked totally appropriate. She got the job.

 

[movingforward]

Is this at a different company or your current employer? If I normally wore my hair like this and its the same company then I'd put it in a bun and go for it. They know what you look like. If this is a style I'm thinking about getting and I'm now questioning it because of the interview then I definitely wouldn't do it. IMO this falls into the category of 'If you have to ask then you already know the answer.'

Interviewing for another company. However, my hair is in that weird transition phase so I’m trying to find a style that is cute, professional and easy for me to maintain.

Also, I hope most non-blacks would mistaken them for locs.

 

[Dee-Licious]

Ok, you edited the OP from high-level to managerial. For high level, it’s a definite “no” for manager level it moves to a maybe depending on a whole lot of factors. Since it has so many factors I’d stick with “no”

 

[ilong]

I agree with the "no responses". Whether it's for a management or "high-level" position. Corporate America has not honestly and openly embraced BLACK ethnic natural hair styles . You may recall several incidents in the news over the years, where persons wearing ethnic/natural hair styles faced scrutiny and challenges from "various systems", including claims the hairstyles were "distracting".

I've worn braided styles (updo goddess braids and shoulder length (two row) cornrows, to work, but I had been in my management position for some years. Whose to say if I could have moved faster and higher up the management chain had I not worn them. However, I can say immediately after I stopped wearing the hairstyles I moved up another management level.

You should ask yourself, what's more important to you, your hairstyle or the position. As one poster commented, the fact that you asked suggests you may already know the answer.

Much success on the interview. I never go into an interview alone - I always take the Father and The Son and Their Holy Spirit with me.

 

[Dee-Licious]

Interviewing for another company. However, my hair is in that weird transition phase so I’m trying to find a style that is cute, professional and easy for me to maintain.

Also, I hope most non-blacks would mistaken them for locs.

How long is your hair right now? Is it natural or relaxed? We’ll find you some styles.

 

[Dee-Licious]

Congratulations on the interview. I never go into an interview alone - I always take the Father and The Son and Their Holy Spirit with me.

Allll of this!!!!

 

[ilong]

Personally I wouldn't. I like looking as professional as possible because I want to be taken seriously. Many tend to judge you by the way you look and I wouldn't want to look playful if I'm seeking a managerial position.[/QUOTE

Agree with your post, especially the italicized. One of the first things I do when interviewing candidates is take note of their appearance (and this includes internal candidates)

 

[Miss_Luna]

I agree with the bun...My natural hair is very big and I notice people looking at it sometimes in meetings, but I've been here long enough to not care. Unfortunately, unless I straighten my hair, it will never fit into a normal-sized bun. The bun would be more distracting.

When I have big meetings I pin it all up and use 50-11 hairpins to tuck in the top and sides.

Senegalese twist can be difficult to manipulate, so make sure they are able to bun it when you get it done at the shop.

 

[BlueEra]

I've been wearing Senegalese twists for years (it's one of my signature styles), and I have interviewed with them on a few occasions with no issues. Most positions have been executive-level, managerial.

In length, mine are always anywhere from BSL to hip-length, and the times I've interviewed, I've worn it in a twisted style similar to the one pictured below (that's not me).

I'm in the creative industry, so hair isn't a major factor and is just seen as a big part of one's personality (I've had managers and VPs with purple, blue or pink hair in all sorts of styles), but as a black woman I veer on trying to be conservative as possible until the deal is closed and I'm in. I'll be dyeing my pixie a whitish-blonde color soon (like X-Men's Storm) and looking forward to it.

 

[ilong]

Interviewing for another company. However, my hair is in that weird transition phase so I’m trying to find a style that is cute, professional and easy for me to maintain.

Also, I hope most non-blacks would mistaken them for locs.

I would definitely recommend you "not" wear the twists for an interview with an external company. Believe it or not, interviewers may have visions of your showing up at work one day with hip length dreads, bald or "the knots" (bantu).
One young lady wore bantu knots into the office one day. The buzzing around her hairdo disrupted the entire office, not to mention it didn't look appropriate for the professional environment.
How about sleeking your hair back into some sort of updo (no twists or braids) ?

 

[Dee-Licious]

View attachment 429027

I absolutely love this style! I’ve never had braids or twists, but this would be great for my next tropical vacay and can still wear to work.

 

[movingforward]

How long is your hair right now? Is it natural or relaxed? We’ll find you some styles.

Cheek length with some relaxed ends. I’m transitioning. Unfortunately, the natural part of my hair refuses to straighten. I had this problem when i was natural, I even went to a professional and my hair reverted within a day.

 

[Dee-Licious]

Cheek length with some relaxed ends. I’m transitioning. Unfortunately, the natural part of my hair refuses to straighten. I had this problem when i was natural, I even went to a professional and my hair reverted within a day.

Can it be laid down for a bun? Use hair close to your texture and color to add girth.

 

[I Am So Blessed]

I would definitely recommend you "not" wear the twists for an interview with an external company. Believe it or not, interviewers may have visions of your showing up at work one day with hip length dreads, bald or "the knots" (bantu).
One young lady wore bantu knots into the office one day. The buzzing around her hairdo disrupted the entire office, not to mention it didn't look appropriate for the professional environment.
How about sleeking your hair back into some sort of updo (no twists or braids) ?

I agree with this, although I really like the twists, but not for an interview.

I'd save the twists for later when you've been there for a while (after the 30, 60, 90). I would do a simple phony bun. Which is always a winner IMHO. Wait until you've past the gate keepers first.

 

[movingforward]

Ok, you edited the OP from high-level to managerial. For high level, it’s a definite “no” for manager level it moves to a maybe depending on a whole lot of factors. Since it has so many factors I’d stick with “no”

I did remove high level. I’m interviewing for an HR manager position. At most would be an HR Director position.

 

[Dee-Licious]

I did remove high level. I’m interviewing for an HR manager position. At most would be an HR Director position.

My mama always says dress for the job you want not the one you have. Walk in there like you there for the HR Director position. It’s coming, girl!!!

HR manager is still someone that will be interacting with a lot of folks, so I’m still a “no” on the shoulder length twists just because who knows the culture of that Hr office where you’re walking into.

 

[movingforward]

I agree with the "no responses". Whether it's for a management or "high-level" position. Corporate America has not honestly and openly embraced BLACK ethnic natural hair styles . You may recall several incidents in the news over the years, where persons wearing ethnic/natural hair styles faced scrutiny and challenges from "various systems", including claims the hairstyles were "distracting".

I've worn braided styles (updo goddess braids and shoulder length (two row) cornrows, to work, but I had been in my management position for some years. Whose to say if I could have moved faster and higher up the management chain had I not worn them. However, I can say immediately after I stopped wearing the hairstyles I moved up another management level.

You should ask yourself, what's more important to you, your hairstyle or the position. As one poster commented, the fact that you asked suggests you may already know the answer.

Much success on the interview. I never go into an interview alone - I always take the Father and The Son and Holy Spirit with me.

Yes to the bold! I’ll put some more thought into it.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[movingforward]

Can it be laid down for a bun? Use hair close to your texture and color to add girth.

Sadly no, I slicked back my hair with two different gels and it started to frizz.

Maybe I just get a wig.

 

[movingforward]

I've been wearing Senegalese twists for years (it's one of my signature styles), and I have interviewed with them on a few occasions with no issues. Most positions have been executive-level, managerial.

In length, mine are always anywhere from BSL to hip-length, and the times I've interviewed, I've worn it in a twisted style similar to the one pictured below (that's not me).

I'm in the creative industry, so hair isn't a major factor and is just seen as a big part of one's personality (I've had managers and VPs with purple, blue or pink hair in all sorts of styles), but as a black woman I veer on trying to be conservative as possible until the deal is closed and I'm in. I'll be dyeing my pixie a whitish-blonde color soon (like X-Men's Storm) and looking forward to it.

View attachment 429027

Your hair is cute.

 

[Aggie]

I agree with the "no responses". Whether it's for a management or "high-level" position. Corporate America has not honestly and openly embraced BLACK ethnic natural hair styles . You may recall several incidents in the news over the years, where persons wearing ethnic/natural hair styles faced scrutiny and challenges from "various systems", including claims the hairstyles were "distracting".

I've worn braided styles (updo goddess braids and shoulder length (two row) cornrows, to work, but I had been in my management position for some years. Whose to say if I could have moved faster and higher up the management chain had I not worn them. However, I can say immediately after I stopped wearing the hairstyles I moved up another management level.

You should ask yourself, what's more important to you, your hairstyle or the position. As one poster commented, the fact that you asked suggests you may already know the answer.

Much success on the interview. I never go into an interview alone - I always take the Father and The Son and Their Holy Spirit with me.

+3 on the bolded . And we should represent HIM well.

 

[Aggie]

Yes to the bold! I’ll put some more thought into it.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Girl @movingforward, your e-sisters are all there with you. Go for it!