Long hair for interviews

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Obviously while working on a floor, I pull my hair back/put it in a pony tail. But for interviews, do you think it is alright to wear your hair down? Or should it be pulled back for interviewing as well? It's not like I'll be doing pt care and I almost feel that since I'm dressed up, I can wear my hair down done neatly, but I don't want to do the wrong thing.

I honestly don't understand how you can have long hair down when you are caring for a patient who is sick. I don't want a nurse standing over me flicking her hair back when they are changing a dressing, etc. You have a tendency to handle it with your fingers too much or using the back of your hand to flip back over your shoulder. It's just kind of gross-hair filters all the pollution in the air, has bacteria, etc. Just not a good thing in my opinion. If you can pull it back, pull it back. You are at work not a club. or working at a beauty salon or retail. Check out restaurants where servers bring food. How many long haired wait staff bring food to your table? You don't want hair in your food or on your table anymore than patients want your hair in their bed or on their gown, or in their dressing. There are youthful ways to put your hair back and look professional. On interviews, it really doesn't matter if you wear your hair up or down. I have interviewed folks many times over. What they are looking for is a well polished, clean, neat professional appearance. Clothes don't have to be the latest designer duds, just something that looks professional. Remember, once you are hired, very few will see you in street clothes except for coming or going from work. Other jobs may require lab coat over your outfit. Minimal cleavage, Hair clean and styled and neat so that you don't play with it during the interview, and clothes that are pressed and clean. They don't care about too much else.

What is grosser than a nurse with loose long hair is a nurse aide covered in cat hair. I have had plenty of servers with their hair loose. This isn't the dark ages and rules are not the same across the board.

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Specializes in ICU, PACU, OR.

You are right-cat hair, dog hair, frumpy sloppy nasty...I've seen them all. I personally will not eat at establishments where hair is everywhere. My personal preference. I would hope that in the same context healthcare providers would treat the people they care for as they would like to be treated. With folks that are cognizant of hygiene and proper attire. I don't think that is the dark ages. I would also suggest that dress codes are reviewed and I am sure that hair is mentioned, tattoos, jewelry, nails, etc. Whatever your workplace expects is how you should dress. I don't write the rules.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.

I have blond hair below my waist. If its winter, I leave it down. If its summer I put it up in a ponytail or chic bun. Either way, no one has ever mentioned my hair in the interview, and I've always gotten jobs, so just make sure its clean and neat and just as nice looking as the rest of you, and it'll be fine!!! :D

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Wear it however, just make sure it's washed and not greasy.

haha - I won't even run up to the grocery store looking like that so no worries about showing up at an interview in such a state.

Thanks for all the opinions! I wore it down to my interviews and up for my shadowing and was offered a position yesterday!

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