Job Seekers Need to Color Their Gray Hair to Get Hired [poll results]

by Sharlyn Lauby on November 21, 2012

A couple of weeks ago, I shared an article recommending that job seekers need to cover up their gray hair in order to get a job. And I asked what you thought of it. The results were very interesting!

job, job seekers, gray, gray hair, color, hired, recruiting, recruiter, poll, poll results

Click to Enlarge

The overwhelming result was “no, hair color doesn’t matter” with 101 votes. But what I found particularly interesting was 98 votes pointed to “yes” and “yes for women”. It made me wonder.

Do we want to believe that hair color doesn’t matter but the reality is … it does?
Is this really a gender issue? As much as we might not want to admit it.

Lastly, someone in the comments brought up an excellent point – there’s a difference between hair color and hair style. Can we get away with not coloring our hair if the style is current? Or does the color immediately imply how stylish we are?

It’s a very interesting question. Got an opinion on the subject? Love you hear your thoughts.

{ 1 trackback }

Job Seekers Need to Color Their Gray Hair to Get Hired [poll results] | BeautyJOBshop Scoop! | Scoop.it

{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

Ioana Rijnetu November 21, 2012 at 1:35 pm: This is a very different and interesting post In my opinion, as a female, I really don’t think the hair colour will matter in your job hunt. Or maybe I am too classy. For instance, I am also a job seeker and I have recently changed my hair colour into a coffee -no milk or sugar - taste and no change, yet. Living this funny part aside, what I would like to emphasize is that a red or pinky hair colour would not be an element to get hiring.
Thank you for posting and keep up the good work!
Sincerely, Ioana
Ioana Rijnetu November 21, 2012 at 1:38 pm: correcting – Excepting this funny part* – excuse-me
Sharlyn Lauby November 23, 2012 at 7:46 am: Thanks for sharing your thoughts Ioana!
Lindsey Hall November 23, 2012 at 11:54 am: This may be a gender issue but also one that is based on expectations. It is and has been for a long time, far more acceptable for women to die their hair until later in life. You could argue it is almost expected. it is less expected for men – in the UK anyway. There is also a quality issue. Badly dyed hair in men is a big NO. That look of it being so black, it’s obviously dyed and doesn’t go with the rest of the features indicates a person not comfortable with themselves. Interesting debate
Sharlyn Lauby November 26, 2012 at 9:59 am: Thanks for the comment Lindsey. I tend to agree with you – societal expectations play a role in the response.