Sarah Jessica Parker 1998 (Everett Collection via New York Times)
How do you wear your hair?
Some ladies wear it naturally curly, wild and untamed like Sarah Jessica Parker from Sex and the City while other women wear it straight.
The new style that’s currently in fashion for high powered business women is the straight “beach weave” style (see Nina’s picture below). According to Anjali Athavaley in a March 23, 2011 article “Keratin Treatments and Alternatives Give Women More Ways to Achieve ‘Beach Waves’” in the Wall Street Journal:
“Some image consultants say professional women with lots of curls often feel pressured to tame them for work. “The women who have the power spots in banking and hedge funds and all of that never wear their hair to extremes,” says Susan Sommers, a New York business-image coach who has advised employees at companies including Deloitte and Colgate-Palmolive Co. Their hair isn’t too straight, too long or too curly. “People who are being groomed for high potential, and people who are handling a lot of money, have overseers who really understand that they can’t look unkempt or ungroomed,” she says.“
Nina Glucksman (Mimi Ritzen Crawford for The Wall Street Journal)
Based on my own experience as a career coach, you want to present an image that matches the position that you’re aiming for. A curly, untamed hair style may be great looking however it may make you less of a match for managerial or high level positions as Susan indicated in Anjali’s article. I agree with Susan’s assessment even though it should never have been a factor in a fairer world.
You would be thinking the same way when you write your resume too. What image does it present to your potential employer? What kind of message are you sending?
In this case when you walk into the job interview, meeting or office what message is your appearance sending?
Sure you know you’re the best suited for the job. Now you have to show it and send the message that convinces employers. Sometimes you just have to play the game.
Have you known any friends whose curly hair has been a problem for them? Leave your story or thoughts on curly hair below.
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