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What’s one of the simplest ways to model lengthy hair for job interviews should you’re a lady in your early 20s? May sporting it down make you look too younger? Reader D wonders:
How ought to a 20-year-old model her lengthy, straight hair for the interview course of for a administration consulting job? Is sporting it down and straight too younger/collegiate? Is styling it with a curling iron too beauty-pageant/date-y? Simply how conservative is the company tradition of the massive three consulting corporations? Should hair be pulled again? Interview wardrobe all taken care of, and nails are neat and well-groomed, however what about lengthy hair?
We’ve continuously mentioned workplace hair, from whether or not long hair makes you look young, as to if ponytails at the office are acceptable, to what straightforward, maintainable hair seems to be like, to work-appropriate up-dos. We have additionally talked about what your hair says about you at work.
{associated: listed below are 12 easy office up-dos!}
For this submit I used to be going to discover a bunch of YouTube tutorials and footage of girls with interview-appropriate updos, half-updos, and lengthy hair. However… here is the factor: so a lot of these look completely pageant-y, and on a younger lady it will look much more such as you’re taking part in gown up.
So here is my reply: for an interview, your hair needs to be neat, just lately trimmed, and never one thing you play with. In the end, the coiffure needs to be forgettable.
I imply that in two methods: first, it needs to be forgettable for you — when you do your hair and go away your own home, it is best to have the ability to neglect your hair and focus 100% on the interview(s). No touching, no smoothing, no combing — no ideas of “ow, these bobbypins are sucking my will to stay and when.can.I.get.them.out.please.God.is.it.now.” (Ahem. Personally I hate bobbypins.)
Secondly, although, your hair ought to actually be forgettable for your interviewer as effectively, since you need them to note your resume and your {qualifications} and your smarts — not your hair.
For an interview, your hair needs to be neat, just lately trimmed, and never one thing you play with. In the end, the coiffure needs to be forgettable.
That is going to look a bit totally different for each individual — simply studying by way of the feedback on our final ponytail post some ladies famous that their hair felt “scraggly” if it was down, others felt prefer it regarded “scraped again” in a ponytail.
The best way to Fashion Lengthy Hair for Job Interviews
So, for my $.02, here is my checklist of choices for tips on how to put on your hair for interviews:
1. Hair, Down
Hair, down, is ok. If you end up touching your hair, smoothing it, re-parting it, no matter — then take into consideration pulling it again. In case your hair is tremendous voluminous and it takes a little bit of effort to take care of a neat look all through the day, I might counsel simply pulling it again.
2. A Half Up-Do
Lengthy hair, pulled right into a half up-do so it is out of your face — see our choices for ponytails, under.
3. An up-do
If that is the best so that you can do, that is positive too. Simply make it neat, comfy to put on, and never too excessive — the style blogger’s topknot or a messy bun (whether or not on goal or not) just isn’t more likely to win you any followers. Be aware that readers have liked Goody Spin Pins up to now (significantly for curly hair).
4. A Polished Ponytail
A ponytail is ok — however it could’t look pageant or cheerleader in any respect. I might counsel you suppose LOW ponytail, if solely as a result of I feel folks affiliate larger ponytails with cheerleaders — plus I usually discover them uncomfortable to put on for lengthy days.
I might counsel taking the time to seek out a simple, comfy technique to make your ponytail look a SMIDGE extra polished with a number of of the next concepts… (you too can go for the Better Call Saul ponytail!)
Psst: Beneath, discover a few of our favourite hair equipment for work as of 2024. Be aware that a few of our long-standing favourite manufacturers for high quality, sturdiness, consolation and styling embody Ficcare and France Luxe. For extra inexpensive choices (which can not final as lengthy), preserve a watch out at Anthropologie, Ann Taylor, and J.Crew shops (together with J.Crew Factory and Madewell). Additionally: Kat loves these flat elastics.
The best way to Fashion a Ponytail for Interviews
- Use your hair to cowl the elastic — you too can create a small braid to cowl the elastic
- Placing a sedate, professional hair accessory to cover the elastic (or utilizing an elastic with a barrette or cuff inbuilt) — I feel the look above seems to be nice as a result of the barrette practically matches her hair, and the hair seems to be very neat. Nordstrom has a ton of gorgeous ones just like the one pictured at prime; I at all times consider J.Crew and Ann Taylor for this additionally — however your drugstore is ok as effectively.
Search for ones that match your hair, do not sparkle, and are comfy to put on. Some high quality manufacturers well worth the cash embody Ficcare, L.Erickson, and France Lux.
- Begin a Gibson Roll – Make a gap in your hair simply above the elastic after which pulling your ponytail by way of that gap — kind of like the start of a Gibson roll
- Twist the hair round your face to offer it a little bit of quantity earlier than pulling it again, as illustrated within the YouTube video I linked to on this ponytail submit
- Including a little bit of top on prime of your head, both by teasing it or utilizing a product like a BumpIt (or Jean at ExtraPetite‘s beloved velcro bump) — however watch out right here!
Sustaining a Skilled Look: Suggestions for Lengthy Hair Care
Having lengthy, stunning hair is a press release in itself. However on the subject of sustaining an expert look, lengthy hair requires further care and a focus. Let’s discover some important tricks to preserve your lengthy locks trying polished and presentable, making certain you make an enduring impression in any skilled setting.
Hair Care Suggestions for Lengthy Hair
Lengthy hair calls for a constant hair care routine to maintain it wholesome and vibrant. Listed below are some key tricks to incorporate into your routine:
Common Trims to Stop Cut up Ends
Lengthy hair is extra susceptible to separate ends, which might make your locks look boring and unkempt. Schedule common trims each 8 to 12 weeks to take away broken ends and promote wholesome hair progress. This apply will assist keep the general look and forestall additional injury.
Deep Conditioning Remedies for Wholesome Hair
Lengthy hair tends to be drier because of its size and publicity to environmental components. Deal with your tresses to deep conditioning therapies at the very least as soon as per week to nourish and hydrate the strands. Search for merchandise that comprise pure oils like argan or coconut oil, as they supply deep moisture and restore shine.
A few of our newest favourite deep conditioning therapies for wholesome hair embody these choices:
Girls, what are your ideas — significantly these of you who repeatedly interview ladies of their early 20s? Have you ever observed somebody’s interview hair, in both a great way or a foul means? How do YOU model your hair for interviews? How would you advise your 20-year-old self to model your hair?
New right here? A few of our important trend articles that is perhaps of curiosity embody our Ultimate Guide to Business Casual, Wardrobe Essentials for Work, and The Corporette Guide to Comfortable Heels — all always up to date! If you happen to’re simply beginning out or on a finances, take a look at our Affordable Office Clothes roundup — and should you’re plus-sized, take a look at our Plus-Size Picks for Work.
Different Interview Apparel and Equipment
Nice Interview Fits
We have rounded up a TON of suits in every price range (and for each physique — petite, plus, tall, pregnant) — the mid-range is often nice for an OCI interview, whereas the more affordable options are higher for extending a swimsuit wardrobe, however nowadays yow will discover a bunch of nice ones.
The Greatest Baggage for Interviews
I’ve at all times thought it is best to have a paper copy of your resume with you for each interview (particularly should you’ve just lately added one thing new, like legislation overview) — and accordingly, your bag needs to be large enough to carry a folder in your resume.
As of 2024, should you’re looking for a light-weight tote massive sufficient to suit a paper resume — the perfect interview bag for ladies! — these are our favourite choices…
The Greatest Heels for Interviews
We have talked rather a lot concerning the “guidelines” round interview footwear — the underside line is that they need to be one thing you may stroll in for at the very least just a few blocks, whether or not they’re flats or heels.
Our Newest Favourite Heels
Nice Low Heels
These are a few of our favourite comfortable low heels for work as of 2024… additionally take a look at CK Calvin Klein, Trotters, Sam Edelman, and Sarah Flint!
The Greatest Flats for Interviews
Flats are acceptable for interviews additionally! Listed below are a few of our favorites…
The Greatest Ballet Flats
The Greatest Loafers
As of 2024, a few of our favourite loafers for work are from Sam Edelman, Everlane, and Madewell. In order for you one thing extra traditional, readers love Sperry and Ferragamo; if you’d like consolation, Vionic and Dr. Scholl’s each have choices. In the meantime, if you’d like one thing a bit extra female or slouchy, the Tory Burch loafers are all actually extremely rated at Nordstrom (particularly this “ballet loafer“)!
The Greatest Strappy Flats
This submit was initially written in 2015, however up to date as indicated. Up to date inventory photographs through Deposit Pictures / sisterspro.
