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Have you ever changed your look (or hair color) to be taken more seriously at work?
I'm 44 and for the last 4 years have sported gingery to fiery locks. It's a pretty color and reflective of my fun and typically outgoing personality. I work in a marketing/communications role for a publishing company so the creative look isn't completely out of place.
I started to wonder if my hair was standing in my way of being taken more seriously at work though. I look younger than my age and am chronically called 'kiddo' or one of the 'kids' at the office.
So this last week, I changed my hair color to a dark brown to see if there was any change.
Too soon to tell if there's been any impact, but has anyone else done something like this?
DustspotOrganizational Dev. and Talent Mgt. consultant.
95
03/12/20 at 6:21AM UTC
I have seriously joined the wig generation. I've bought about six wigs and I'm obsessed. They look so natural and I want that youthful shiny hair. I don't know whether to wear it to an interview or not, because then do I wear it all the time? Lol? It certainly a huge thing right now and all the celebrities are doing it. I don't know...
JENNIFER NACorporate merchandising professional
134
03/09/20 at 9:51PM UTC
I think it completely depends on work environment. If you work in a traditional industry or conservative office, I could see it potentially influencing perception. I know some marketing people who work in that environment who stick to dark neutral wardrobes despite the creative work. I worked in fashion, and although the design side had unusual hair colors and vibrant wardrobes, that was not at all common on the business side of it.
Robin DavidsonTechnical Writer / Documentation Specialist
116
02/24/20 at 6:42PM UTC
No, I haven't. Personally I think calling someone kiddo at work is unprofessional.
Erin HallstromPassionate and energetic innovator
77
02/24/20 at 6:45PM UTC
I agree re: kiddo. I cringe every time I hear it
Anne KnoxCMP
322
02/21/20 at 2:05AM UTC
I am going to give you the same advice I would if your boyfriend wanted you to change hair color. If you want to do it, go for it. If you are doing it for employer, don’t. It seems like it is part of your personality and you don’t want to hide yourself. Especially when you have not had a problem!
Erin HallstromPassionate and energetic innovator
77
02/21/20 at 1:04PM UTC
Thanks for the feedback! I already changed the hair color and it wasn't *because* of work, per se.
In the same way I've adapted the way I dress to be more professional over the years (and have noticed a difference in being taken more seriously), I was curious if anyone had noticed anything if/when they changed their hair color.
Leslee Noble-Gensinger
16
02/20/20 at 6:13PM UTC
I worked for many years at an organization that put a large emphasis on dressing professionally and looking the part. It was full of the some of the most unprofessional and under-developed people I have ever met. Later I worked at another office where some team members wore sweatpants and sneakers because they were at their desk all day. I was called "bougie" for still wearing my business attire, but that's what I had in my closet and that's what I wore. To this day I don't own a pair of sweats (leggings are a different story). The second organization was definitely more laid back and I appreciated the culture. But, I never felt pressure to change who I was to be different from the person who they hired.
Before I would go so far as changing my appearance to appease someone who may be a little ageist, I would simply ask them, or a trusted partner their perspective.
Erin HallstromPassionate and energetic innovator
77
02/20/20 at 6:23PM UTC
I was ready for a change, so the timing of a hair appointment coincided well, but I was genuinely curious if the red was altering perceptions.
Socially, I'd received negative attention from a few men re: the red hair so switching the color up and observing has been in the back of my mind for a bit.
Anonymous
02/21/20 at 2:17PM UTC
Interesting. I'm 45 and am a true redhead. I've never experienced it holding me back. I still get stereotyped as having a fiery temper by male colleagues; which I really don't have.
