Is a ponytail appropriate for a possible interview?

[nurse_starlight]

Is it okay to wear a ponytail to an interview?

[nur18]

For a interview a ponytail is fine. If I remember correctly, your hair should be up off the shoulders and away from the face for a interview.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

I think a low pony tail with a nice side part or conservative bangs is appropriate for an interview. It's what I used to do when I had long hair. If your hair is long, you may also consider a low bun.

[NurseAshley., BSN, RN]

A neat, smooth ponytail should be fine. A quick way to jazz it up while still looking professional: smooth back into ponytail, take a 1 inch section of hair and wrap it around the ponytail hiding the elastic. Secure the end of that piece under the pony with a bobby pin. Looks nice.

[Nonetheless]

A neat ponytail is fine. Just make sure the hair tie is simple and close in color to your hair, and that it looks neat, not sloppy.

[trishmsn]

I have to disagree....a ponytail is fine for work, but not for an interview. It is too informal, and looks childish on young nurses in particular. A bun or French Braid is much more sophisticated and professional. I admit to being older, and old school, but as I have stated in other interview threads, better to be conservative and formal. That way, you are fine with an older interviewer (I have hired hundreds of people over the years, and could tell stories...) or a panel interview. Even a "hip" young manager will not fault you for being in a suit with low heels and minimal makeup, hair, nails, and jewelery in an interview.

You can "be yourself" AFTER you have the job!!! Why risk turning someone off due to your looks for an hour or so?

[chartreuse]

I've never been a subscriber to the belief that hair needs to be back and away from the face for an interview. I've almost always had my hair down and curled because I feel most confident that way. It doesn't seem to have held me back.

If you're going to do a ponytail, I would recommend making sure it looks smooth but not like a hairspray helmet. I'd also tease the ponytail to add volume and curl the ends. As another poster mentioned, wrapping a section of hair around the elastic helps, but That can be hard to do right in my experience. Good luck!

[llg, PhD, RN]

I said "yes" to the poll, but I think the real answer is "It depends." A lot depends on specifics such as where you are geographically, what type of position you are applying for, how professional your particular style of ponytail looks, how professional you look overall with your ponytail, etc.

If you are professionally dressed and neatly groomed with appropriate make-up, a sleek ponytail can look great, chic, and practical - especially on a hot summer day. But if your clothes do not look professional, you wear no make-up, and your ponytail is sloppy ... it can appear that you simply made no effort to pull yourself together.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I OP male or female? I may have missed this. If male with hair long enough for a ponytail, I think that this would be preferred over having it loose.

[Nola009]

No ponytail. Either half up / half down, a bun, or all the way down. This is an interview, not work. To everyone who said 'well, you'll wear your hair up at work' --- keep in mind that you will wear scrubs to work and should NOT wear scrubs to an interview!