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Interview and professional hair

Greyscale

Veteran

(Edit: I should read before I post! Sorry for the confusion! Both photos are from this week, showing the current length of my hair. The second photo is lit by a flash that makes the problem more pronounced. I don't know which is more "real" looking.)

I have an interview for a faculty job at a big city medical school on the east coast, this coming week. Scientists are pretty accepting of a wide range of appearances (from disheveled to weird to polished) -- the only thing I personally try to avoid is looking too appearance-focused because people can be sadly judgmental about that. I'll be wearing my favorite blazer, silk blouse, and probably slacks (possibly my very nicest black jeans).

Anyway, the question:

I have an undercut. It's really at its best with a #1 or #2 buzz. And once it grows long enough, the short side blends in surprisingly well with the rest of my (very long) hair so that people don't even notice it sometimes.

Unfortunately my hair is at an awkward in-between state. It's just long enough to start curling, so it ends up looking sort of sparse and sloppy, rather than covering my scalp evenly. It's not long enough to be in "stealth mode" yet.

I was planning to leave it longer for the interview so that I don't look like a punk. But now I'm caught up in uncertainty. I'm wondering if I'll be happier getting it trimmed to a #2 buzz. Not too short -- usually I shave it all off, so that I can go longer between trims, but that would look too extreme.

What do you think? Longer = less edgy (which is good, for the interview) but shorter = more intentional, less sloppy (which is also good).

If I'm going to trim it, I should try to get it done today.

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23 replies

Latest reply was from Jenni NZ

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I was heading toward a trim, but then I saw the picture. If that's what it looks like now, I would leave it.

jill58

Veteran

I would say leave it too. I would also suggest slacks rather than jeans even if the jeans are super nice. A blazer and silk shirt sound sound perfect.

Bennett

Veteran

I have an undercut also, if it is only on one side then just part your hair the opposite way for this one day and it becomes a non-issue.

In my opinion, this is one occasion to leave the even very nicest jeans at home. You may be making a mis-step with the jeans, depending on your interviewer. Better to be safe than sorry. There is time AFTER landing the position to decide if the nice jeans are OK there.

Sending good karma your way for this interview!!!!!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm a spanner.

Actually, I think it looks more polished buzzed to very short in #1. Will you be leaving it loose and dry? That would be my suggestion.

I think trousers rather than jeans. And you will look GREAT, Greyscale. I wouldn't worry about your outfit or hair at all. Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

Greyscale

Veteran

Thanks, Angie!

It was great to try on my favorite Theyskens Theory blazer yesterday and realize not only does it still fit but also, I feel like a million bucks wearing it. Feeling comfortable in my 'interview armor' will help a lot.

I think you've all convinced me on the jeans. I was going to bring both (slacks and jeans) and choose once I'm there, but I'll plan on the slacks.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

I agree with Angie. It's all or nothing. I vote for a resolute #1 buzz cut and the sharpest of your sharp suits. You will look amazing.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOOOHOOO. Now that's how to feel in a blazer. Power to you, and rock on. Show us your interview outfit!

Echo

Veteran

I honestly didn't know which photo was which before reading further, but #1 looks far more neat and intentional, which is a good thing, IMO, unless you intend to do a center part and actively hide the undercut (which I did not gather you intended to do). I agree about the slacks, and you will look fab!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You are going to look amazing and perfect and oh so cool and good luck!!

Greyscale

Veteran

Oh I should clarify: both photos are from this week! One was two days ago, and the lighting made it hard to see my hair well. I just added the second one now to show what I meant (although the flash exaggerates it). So they're both the same, roughly speaking, though I do need to wash my hair today and that might affect it too!

Anonymous

I've heard the part about being judged for being too appearance focused before and maybe if you were super flashy or fidgeting with your outfit that could be inappropriate in this context, but..
Being able to dress yourself neatly and well, in a way that will not require any attention afterwards, is a plus that implies good organizational and time management skills.
Attractiveness is a plus unless it's divisive.

Style Fan

Veteran

How exciting! I work in the faculty where the medical school is at a university. Definitely go with the slacks. I also think your hair will look great. I missed the memo about being judged for being too appearance focused. Lots of faculty love clothes where I work. Same with my sister and she is at a different university.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Greyscale --

Good luck!

Since both photos are from this week and 99% fine* to me and I'm not sure how short a #1 or #2 buzzcut would be, I defer to you. Would you say now is like a #3 or 4 buzz with your hair?]

*The only thing I would do if you leave it as-is is get the part around the ear neatened up a bit.

Lucy

Veteran

Hey, congrats on getting an interview!
I work in academia and sometimes interview. I think the most important thing is what you already know - you are judged 1000 times more on your CV and responses to questions than on your dress sense. That said, it's important to be comfortable in your skin, and to send a message of confidence and organisation. I'm glad the Theory blazer is such a good one! It will be perfect.
I'd tend towards trousers, mainly because in interview you would normally dress more formally than in an ordinary week. If you wear jeans, will they wonder what you will wear everyday? Probably not - they won't notice/think about it - but I guess it prevents the complication if one person on the panel notices.
Hair - I don't know much about hair, but it looks good to me now. I think whatever makes you forget about your hair on the day will be best.
Sending a lot of good luck!

Bijou

Veteran

I had a friend who worked in recruiting and I once asked her that the "best" outfit to wear was. Her response was that you should wear what makes you feel most professional and confident. If you feel your best with the #1buzz - then that is the one.

Best of luck with the interview. Smart, stylish and confident is a winning combination.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I wouldn't cut it more. And sharp trousers for sure. Let us know how it all goes!

Joy

Veteran

You look professional and capable.

rachylou

Veteran

What Angie and Joy said

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Changing into jeans if there's a dinner out and appropriate would be nice. I worked in academia for 20 years and DH is a med school professor who has led a lot of recruiting. A bunch of candidates blow it every recruiting cycle at the social events. So plan to be comfortable in that aspect as well.

And ask your mentors about recruiting packages. A lot of women under-ask for their start-up, and you don't get another chance to raise the bar.

Laurel

Greyscale---your hair is spectacular, and I'm 100% sure that it will be noticed and admired (regardless of the professional setting). How do I know this? Because I had your hair color when I was younger---a good 50 year run of incredible bright/shimmering red hair. I'm sure you have spent your entire life receiving attention for it (wanted and unwanted) and your interviewer(s) will definitely notice it. The cut is secondary in this case to the color. Both are "wow"! Good luck!

Sammy Gregory

Sharp trousers no black jeans. Interviews you actually want to appear appearance-focused. It says a lot about your character and if you look at all sloppy or not dressed up enough for an interview (which you tend to dress atleast 1 step higher than the normal attire for that business IE business wears business casual you need to show up in business professional for the interview). I would not get it trimmed and wear it down like in the first picture (lovvvve the color and curls of your hair btw).

Diana

Veteran

Good luck with the interview!!!!

i don't have any personal experience with interviewing (I wish!) but from what I've seen in my dept of people giving job talks in recent years you'd fit right in. All the women interviewing have worn basically slacks+blouse, not even always with a jacket (although maybe they started with one and took it off later).

ETA: my dept is pure basic science at a med school though. If there are clinical faculty I'd go a bit dressier.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well I'm in health as well and interviewed others in the past 2 weeks. I was personally more worried about how I would look than how they did! There were 3 male candidates, 2 wore suits and one I think jacket and trousers. The woman had a fantasticbright pink blazer I remember, the rest of her clothing was black,I think.
I think your hair is awesome as is, it looks interesting and also beautiful, and I agree that it is the CV and how you answer the questions that is more important. I think that if the blazer and the dress pants make you feel confident, then that's good.
Thinking back, I'm not sure that I would have thought that any of my 4 interviewees would have looked quite professional enough in jeans... hope you get the job!