Long Haired Freaky People – AKA Women over 40.

This is my hair today – at 8:15 AM on my way to work, to be exact. I have less than two years to enjoy my locks, as apparently if I have hair this length after 40 I run the very serious risk of looking rather sad and dated. That’s right – the brilliant minds over at The Careerist are concerned that I’m nearly Too Old for That Joni Mitchell Look. I run the risk of damaging my career.

This makes me sad. You see, I’ve long had a love/hate relationship with my hair. This cell phone pic doesn’t show you exactly how RED my hair really is. That’s right folks, I’m a ginger. I’ve heard every carrot top / Wendy’s / freckle face joke there is. It wasn’t until probably my early 30’s that I finally started appreciating my hair. It’s an unusual shade – more strawberry blonde I suppose, but not a hue anyone else in my family has (and I come from a long line of redheads). I’ve also tried short hair, but I look weird. I have a giant head and prominent features, so short hair just makes everything look… odd.

The bigger issue is this – job seekers are up against all sorts of challenges when it comes to the interview process. Do they have the right resume, educational background and skills? Are they a culture fit? For professional women, do they now really have to start worrying about the length of their hair? Are we, as recruiters, judging candidates based on something as non-essential as this? In fairness, this is a blog targeted to the legal community. Maybe it’s different for lawyers (It shouldn’t be). Plus, there’s an exceptional and hilarious rebuttal written by Maria de Cesare found here – also featured in the Huffington Post.

Here’s what I do know. I will probably want a promotion someday. I may even interview for a job elsewhere, in the distant future. I’ll most definitely be (gasp!) over 40. With long hair. The idea that my hair length would somehow hold me back is laughable. If flipping, twisting, and caressing my strawberry locks is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on August 3, 2012 at 3:47pm: @Erin - exactly! That's me too.

@Charlie - every time I take my 17 yr old daughter out for lunch or dinner we're always asked if we need separate checks. lol No, I'll buy my child dinner, thanks.... :) I still get carded a lot too, even at the grocery store buying wine. Weird, especially if the kids are with me. I think to myself - "who in the hell do they think these 4 kids belong to? they all look like me!" :)

Comment by Charlie Allenson on August 3, 2012 at 3:53pm: @Amy -- better than if they tell you what lovely grandchildren you have.

Comment by Bill Schultz on August 3, 2012 at 5:20pm: Did you tuck my hair down into your hat and went in and ask them why?

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on August 3, 2012 at 6:40pm: @Charlie so true! :)

@Bill - you know it :) they said I look like a fine upstanding young lady and think I'll do.

Comment by Bill Schultz on August 3, 2012 at 6:43pm: so you took off your hat and said imagine that: me workin for you.

now that will be in my head all weekend.

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on August 3, 2012 at 6:50pm: Signs, signs, everywhere there's signs, Bill. :)

Comment by Charlie Allenson on August 3, 2012 at 11:58pm: Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign? -- Five Man Electrical Band, 1971, Canadian. I play it in the key of G.

Comment by Russ Recruits on August 6, 2012 at 11:16am: Alas the demands of a young baby have dictated the need to let the hair style go once and for all.

My trademark "Morrissey Quiff" now a all over no.1 and boy do I look 10 years older overnight.

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on August 6, 2012 at 12:13pm: @Charlie and @Bill, that song was stuck in my head all weekend. :)

@Russ - that is part of the beauty of long hair... as a mom of 4 I do a lot of ponytails! :) Now that my baby is almost 7 they are much more self-sufficient. Plus older kids = built in babysitters and PB&J makers lol

Comment by Charlie Allenson on August 6, 2012 at 12:16pm: Well for a change of pace try singing Janis Joplin's Oh Lord Won't You Buy a Mercedes Benz... If you already have a Benz, try Pink Floyd's Money.

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