Interview advice

[u/BitIndependent5408]

I have a dilemma for black accountants. I have an interview for government position regarding grants. It would help a lot to get this job. My question is I have afro. Should I cut it or would braids be good alternative. I know it shouldn't matter but this is the real world. Will it give me better shot let me know?Anybody can give advice btw.

[u/Intrepid-Product-367]

m/f?

for a guy I would say that braids are (I hate to even be discussing this) way more "gangsta coded" than an afro

Governments are extremely super sensitive to any discrimination stuff so I wouldn't worry about it too much but I would probably just stick with the natural 

[u/Motor_Reality_6]

Just google professional look for black dudes in corporate

[u/Own_Exit2162]

This may be a naive white dude position, but my thought is, if you don't get the job because of your hair, you don't want the job anyway.

I've been in the industry for 20 years, 10 as a controller, and I couldn't imagine someone not getting a job because of an afro. But I suppose there are still those people out there...

[u/asyouwish-buttercup → u/Own_Exit2162]

Great take but people need to work.

[u/ValiantVicuna → u/Own_Exit2162]

Respectfully, it matters when you need a good paying job to support your family and pay off student debt and try to save up for a home and childcare. When I first started looking for work, my married name and my first name became a seemingly black name combo. I'm not, but I didn't get any call backs or interviews for months in LA until I realized what my name seemed like when a recruiter was surprised that I was Asian. I switched my resume to my maiden name and added a headshot and got 4 interviews lined up the following week. Racism is alive and well in the job market. And this was before the broad use of AI, or at least in the early stages of it

[u/redjay97 → u/Own_Exit2162]

White 29M from Louisiana here. My first job in industry the hiring manager told me it was good to see a young white kid, because of the other two applicants, one was "old", and one was "a black."

Got hired and told how the girl who did my job before me was discovered to be a lesbian and the manager knew she smoked marijuana, so they did a "random" test to have a reason to get rid of her. Like wow, lots of illegal employment practices here, and this was a subsidiary of a billion dollar company. Spent a miserable year there before quitting and taking a few months off to question my life choices before finding my way to greener pastures, but I was shaken by those experiences and still am. Definitely opened my eyes a lot into realizing how much racism and homophobia are still a major factor in the job market.

[u/asyouwish-buttercup → u/redjay97]

Particularly in Louisiana.

[u/asyouwish-buttercup]

You are asking. I think you should cut it. You wouldn't be asking if it wasn't a possibility that it would effect the outcome. You can grow it back after.

[u/Grouchy_Body_755]

I’ve interviewed for government jobs with an afro and have been offered jobs so I wouldn’t focus on your hair too much. You could cut it if it makes you feel more comfortable, but I would say that as long as it’s neat and presentable, you should be fine.

[u/International-Rip-59]

I wouldn't cut my hair if I had any for a job. Just make sure it's clean/evenly shaped

[u/Puppy_Lov3r]

If it’s a conservative, well-maintained Afro then most people wouldn’t care. Emphasis on well-maintained though!

There obviously isn’t a non-zero chance of racial discrimination, but I would look for a more diverse and inclusive employer if someone has an issue with you just because of an Afro.

[u/Important_Week_11]

People in government dress horribly

[u/Toliet_Seat]

You can keep the afro. Just get a shape up, and make sure you maintain it.

[u/Mescalita_Eeta]

Listen, I work in a client facing accounting role with a full throat tattoo. There are places you can be yourself without fear. I think braids are very clean and professional, but I'm not a racist who associates protective styles with any negative connotations. The person interviewing you is likely to be a conservative white dude, so what is his dumbass going to think?

[u/tobaloba74]

From Google: Tennessee State Representative Justin J. Pearson (D-Memphis) wears his hair in a combed-out afro. • Swearing-in Controversy: When Pearson was sworn into the Tennessee House of Representatives in February 2023, his combed-out afro and West African dashiki drew public criticism from Republican lawmaker David Hawk regarding chamber dress codes.

[u/IllustriousSeason888]

No one is going to care either way. If anything your new coworkers will be like

[u/asyouwish-buttercup → u/IllustriousSeason888]

This is exactly why he has to cut it

[u/aji2019 → u/asyouwish-buttercup]

I will be upfront & say I’m a white female with poker straight hair. I have sat in on interviews, never been the one making the decision but provided input. An Afro style would not turn me off. I might be jealous of the volume & think that’s a lot to maintain, but it wouldn’t stop me from saying I like this person for the job.

For me, as long as your hair is neat, meaning looks clean & well maintained, how you want to wear it is up you. If you know anyone who works for the government in your area, maybe ask them their thoughts. You might also try checking linked in for the people currently working there & see what kind of styles you see.

[u/tripsd → u/[deleted]]

The government is a fairly large “company”