Would it be so wrong to be an accountant & have pink hair?
Up until recently I had bright pink hair (think Stephanie from Lazy-Town!) and went for a pre-job-interview chat with an employment agency. I was told that if I went to the proper interview without changing my hair colour I wouldn't even be let in the building. Unfortunately I backed down & changed my hair but this has really got to me. I realise that if you're training to be an accountant like I am you're expected to look a certain way (nice suit, smart appearance etc) but I also know that my hair colour doesn't affect my ability to do a job. Surely someone with tidy, neat pink hair like I had looks smarter than someone with brown or blond messy hair? Plus, I wouldn't even be meeting clients or the public, just talking to them on the phone. Do you think there would be any way of keeping the pink hair & getting a decent job? Also, could anyone tell my why it would matter what my hair colour was as long as I'm smart and presentable (which i am)?
Financial Services - 12 Answers
People Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
Unfortunately you fit in or you dont get in.It sucks
Answer 2 :
Buy a balaclava.
Answer 3 :
how bout a walmart greeter with a inverted mohawk and porkchop sideburns..... mmm yeah think about that sound pretty cool.....
Answer 4 :
Yes. People won't trust You with their finances if You have pink hair. Would You?
Answer 5 :
Hi No, not so wrong at all, however on the other hand, if you want to be taken seriously there are certain types of dress code and it shows professionalism and manners to conform, would you trust someone to write you an important letter if all they did was txt type, horses for courses. Ray. West York's. U.K. And yes "vswho" that's only the women.
Answer 6 :
Does the carpet match the drapes? Just kidding. Seriously, you will have a very hard time with it. No the color of your hair doesn't effect your job performance. However, it's the business world and there are a lot of rules/etiquette that you will not be able to change. Remember, most of the power/authority in your line of work will be held by people 20 yrs older than you. They have probably been in accounting/finance their entire careers and consider themselves "Professionals". So when a new "Kid" comes bouncing in off the street trying to buck the system, you can expect problems.
Answer 7 :
I totally agree with you! Although, I don't know how the employer would react - whether they would be really tunnel visioned in their expectations in how an accountant 'should' look. Obviously, it wouldn't affect your ability to do your job - as you've said. But you know how some people can be... I'm wondering whether you could ease the pink back in gradually, either for interviews, or once you get the job you want - starting with say, some pink streaks, while gradually going back to the full-blown Stephanie/Lazy Town pink hair? Good for you if you manage to achieve it! Nelly x
Answer 8 :
The business world has a certain dress code that you must adhere to. You can be free, in this country, to express yourself. This doesn't mean you're entitled to a job. Decide which is more important to you, pink hair or 70k per year.
Answer 9 :
I think you are right, the colour of your hair does not make you less professional. If people wants to judge a book by its cover, then you should sell your book to them but only to those who are interested to buy and read it.
Answer 10 :
It would depend on where you were working & what kind of company they are, most firms will have a dress code that they will expect you to abide by. It's not just about meeting clients, it about the people you will be expected to work with & even just people watching you walk into the building on a regular basis. People are very simple minded they will make certain assumptions about you based on your hair colour before you even open your mouth to dissuade them. Have a chat with your hairdresser, see if they have any solutions to the dilemma that might allow you to express yourself. If you have slightly longish hair perhaps a slice of colour in your parting that could be concealed during the week?
Answer 11 :
I would love to have an accountant with pink hair. It would say to me that they are creative and might have new ideas on how to look at things. It might just be where you live holding you back.
Answer 12 :
I wouldn't consider it at all for an interview. If you truly have no contact with the public or clientele after getting the job you could explore the possibility then. You must prove yourself first. Definitely not during the interview or the first 90 days on the job. If you decide to color it later it may impact your possibilities for advancement.
Read more other entries :
