Black women, natural hair, and job interviews

Whoa, I just realized that I haven’t posted anything new since December. Clue #1 that things have been a little busy in my world. My time in my current role may be coming to an end, hence I’ve been interviewing a lot, and why I decided to write this blog! Of all the things there are to think about when preparing for a job interview, it’s a shame that hair is something to add to the list of considerations for black women with natural hair. Wash day for me is on Thursday. I may get 2, 3 tops, good hair days. Anything after that is sketch! By the next Thursday my hair looks like I stuck my finger in a socket. No lie. This means that I have to plan seeing people around what my hair may look like. Friday-Monday are the best days. Tuesday-Thursday, Houston, we have a problem! Thankfully I can always pull it back, up, slap on a phony pony, or something and it’s fine, but it’s just annoying that something like hair could cause strange looks or reactions from others who deem natural hair as unprofessional. So, if I do end up having an interview on one of the days where my hair is huge and I have tons of frizz, I automatically go to plan B and not wear it natural. On a good hair day, I’ve actually gotten compliments from the interviewers, but it in the back of my head, I wonder what they’d say or what kinda looks I’d get if it were full of frizz and a lot bigger.

Here’s some pics of my natural hair on a good hair day, and actually on days that I’ve interviewed. Pretty cute if I say so myself!

And here’s some pics of days where I had to rely on my trusty phony ponies. They always come through for me. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll always love wearing them, but the point I’m trying to make is that we shouldn’t have to even consider taming our crowns in fear of how someone else may view us. It’s not right and it’s not fair.

I’m interested in hearing other’s opinions on this topic. Do you have the same thoughts as you prepare for interviews? Have you ever experienced adverse reactions regarding your hair either in an interview or at work? Also, I’m a true believer in prayer, so if you are a praying person, send some up for me to land my next role, and even better, my dream job!