Dear Classy Career Girl, I am really curious how to wear your hair for an interview. Is it better to have our hair up or down for an interview?
CCG: My take is that it’s more important to feel comfortable and confident. So if you are more confident with your hair out of your face and up in a ponytail, do it. If you feel more confident with your hair down, do that. There is no right and wrong.
I also invited an expert recruiter with 15 years of experience interviewing candidates to give you even better advice than I could give you!
Meet Becky, our newest Love Your Career Formula Certified Career Coach and Founder of The Job Search Success Coach.
During her 15 years as a Corporate Recruiter for small and large technical companies, Becky has interviewed thousands of candidates. She understands the employer’s perspective and knows what it takes to make a positive impression, get hired, and negotiate the best salary. She now shares her game-changing, insider secrets with coaching clients.
Here’s what Becky has to say about wearing your hair during your interview.
How a candidate wears their hair to an interview is definitely a big part of the first impression.
You want to be able to make that first impression, not have your hair make it for you.
Unfortunately, I have interviewed a few candidates, that when they walked out of the interview all I could remember was their hair. I was so distracted that I couldn’t remember a word they said, so I could not move them forward in the interview process.
[RELATED: What to Wear to an Interview]
Here a few more tips on how to wear your hair to an interview from Becky:
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Keep it simple and professional, know your audience.
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If you have bangs, have them trimmed over your eyes. You want to be able to keep eye contact with the interviewers.
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If one of your nervous habits is to play with your hair, pull it back. You don’t want to distract the interviewers.
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Your interview day is not the day to try out a new barrette or headband.
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Wear a hairstyle that makes you feel comfortable and confident.