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 Peter Ceccarelli on July 31, 2012 at 12:33pm: Wouldn't that put the craze of hair extension people out of business! I can't tell you how many woman at work have them now. Most look awful!

Comment by Sandra McCartt on July 31, 2012 at 1:21pm: If all of us over 50 looked like Christy Brinkley we could shave our heads and paint a bullseye or our foreheads and nobody would care. You know you need an update when you are over 50 and the clerks in stores and at the drive up window start calling you "honey" or " sweetie".

Comment by Lisa A, Doorly on July 31, 2012 at 1:45pm: I was called honey and sweetie when I was in my 20's - I am just saying let's not denigrate people over 50

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on July 31, 2012 at 3:22pm: Long hair, short hair, no hair... who cares! :) Sometimes I think women can be their (our) own worst enemies. If women worried more about building each other up and supporting each other professionally we'd probably all be a lot better off. This concept of "long hair hurts your career" is just bunk.That said - if you're 50 or 60+ running around in hot pants trying to compete with your granddaughter in the looks department... yeah that's no good either. :)

Comment by Tony Palm on July 31, 2012 at 4:20pm: OMG, I have so missed the boat.

Ever since I saw Sean Connery sporting a ponytail, I’ve dreamed of my grey locks pulled back into a pirate-esque quaff.

Now that I know it is ok to wear my hair long, I’m going for it!

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on July 31, 2012 at 4:37pm: Do it Tony - we won't judge! lol

Comment by Sandra McCartt on July 31, 2012 at 5:36pm: LOL, i was too Lisa, then it went away and when i got to be over 60 it started up again. I haven't seen 50 in more years than most people have been in recruiting so believe me i am not denigrating people over 50.

Comment by Sandra McCartt on July 31, 2012 at 5:38pm: So true Amy. That is called trying to be "kittenish" when it's obvious one is an old cat.

I thought Sean Connery should comb his eyebrows back in a long pony tail myself.

Comment by Charlie Allenson on August 2, 2012 at 9:02am: So to less enlightened people, on the last day of your 39th year, your hair is fab. On the next day you go to hag. To quote Bobby McFerrin, "Don't worry, be happy."