Job interview - cover the grey?

[HGar]

Your hair is perfect the way it is. I’ve just re-entered the workforce at age 53 - my hair is pretty much silvery blonde. After Covid lockdowns I told my hairdresser to strip any remaining dye out and we’ve kept it the same ever since.

My interviewer knew my age - I had to enter my birth date in the application. Personally it comes down more to how you present yourself and your skills. I use my age as a gaining of wisdom - ie things that I was worried about broaching when I was unmarried / no children in my 20’s now I have no qualms in discussing as a woman with 3 teens, assisting my husband in the day to day running of our business and looking down the barrel of retirement within a few short years.

Be true to yourself IMO.

 

[caf]

I have an exciting job interview coming up, and I’ve been pondering whether to dye my hair beforehand. As someone who appreciates a youthful and modern approach, I want to strike the right balance between professionalism and personal style. The job seems to be a great fit and was recommended by a former colleague.

The situation is as follows: I’m interviewing with a group of younger IT professionals. My natural hair color is medium brown, but I have a good bit of salt. Now, here’s my dilemma: Should I embrace the gray or opt for a natural brown shade to cover it up?

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to share your experiences or insights—I’m all ears.

I think in IT (and many other fields) gray means old, tired and not “on it.” You’re interviewing with younger IT professionals. I’d cover the grays for interviews. After you get the job, do whatever you want with your hair. They can figure out your age (sort of) by your experience and education. But looking less gray just seems to take the focus off of aging and looks and places it more on your skills and aligns you with the interviewers. It’s stupid and maddening to have to cover signs of aging but why give them something outward to focus on.

Oh and good luck. I’m sure you’ll knock their socks off.

 

[Matata]

Be your fabulous self. For the interview, I suggest you rock a fresh cut and have it professionally styled; have your makeup professionally applied; choose a chic outfit and give two middle fingers to the idea that mature = expired use by date. Attitude and confidence will impress.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

If it were a guy applying for this position would this even be a question? I doubt it.
If coloring your hair is something you want to do anyway, fine. Do what suits you, not bend to societal pressure that it’s unacceptable to have some gray hair. Women are impossibly expected to look 30 forever and if you don’t color your hair, have plastic surgery etc, you become invisible. You look wonderful! Your experience and confidence should take center stage.
Best of luck!

this thread really highlights a lot of what is wrong in today's society regrading appearence and aggism

 

[Arcadian]

I’ll add a picture here. Not made up me. Okay, bedhead, but it just does its thing. Even a lighter brown temp or semi would blend them in. Yeah, this is kinda chaos hair.



@RMOO I think you're probably right.

@missy, I wish I had that cool "statement" grey, but don't think so. It;s just kinda greyish brown.

@newtojewels I think the coworkers would be 30-40ish. I am just this side of 60. I don't want to seem "too old". I also don't want that sad "shoe polish" effect that is also icky. I had been on a hiring panel and heard younger folks make nasty and inaccurate judgement calls on older folks "probably not tech savvy". Ugh, I can take computers apart and fix them. I don't want them to think that of me.

I love your hair. I have from time to time done a demi color, which washes out after a certain amount of washes. (wella is my favorite brand for this) My grey is still patchy. I didn't get the elegant grey my mother and grandmother got.

 

[Roselina]

You portray the perfect balance of youthfulness and maturity. You have beautiful hair.

 

[lilmosun]

I personally love your hair and your picture exudes a youthful/stylish vibe.

As a female in her 60's in IT, I've learned to embrace my age and the experience I bring. Interviewing is like speed dating and you never know what the other side is judging you by. But for it to be a good long term relationship, it's important to find an organization that is a fit culturally for you.

So if it will boost your confidence, then by all means color. More importantly go prepared for your interview and be your authentic self. Good luck!

 

[dk168]

So I stopped putting colours in my hair, which started to go grey when I was 14, as it made me very self-confidence.

DOH, just realised my mistake - I meant to say it made me very self-conscious, SORRY!

DK

 

[MMtwo]

I appreciate all of the feedback and advice and perspectives. Once again, this group rocks!

I got the job...temporarily dyed

 

[Matata]

I got the job

 

[Calliecake]

Congratulations @MMtwo!!!

 

[Bron357]

I’m probably not the right person to ask, I have purple hair and love it.
If you’re doing it yourself at home a light brown semi over the top would tone down the greys without smothering your natural hair colour.
Don’t do a dark brown it will be too strong.

 

[Lookinagain]

Congratulations! Now will you let the gray show? Or keep it covered?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Congrats!

Now show up the first day with purple like Bron lol

 

[nala]

I appreciate all of the feedback and advice and perspectives. Once again, this group rocks!

I got the job...temporarily dyed

Congrats!

 

[caf]

I appreciate all of the feedback and advice and perspectives. Once again, this group rocks!

I got the job...temporarily dyed

Yay. That’s great. And I’m glad you dyed it - now do whatever you want with your hair and color.

 

[glitterata]

Woo hoo!! Enjoy your new job!

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

Late to the party but I did some research and yes coloring grey helps. I am so glad you got the job! Also wear lipstick. My past research showed that a woman wearing lipstick is perceived as “smarter” than one without. It’s crazy the rules women need to live by to get by or even get ahead.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I’m probably not the right person to ask, I have purple hair and love it.

Same I have a lot of blue in my hair! Well, what hair I have left (most of mine is shaved off).
I’m a physician and informaticist so my cohort is either older more conservative docs or younger cooler tech folk, most days both. I actually present somewhat androgynous/genderqueer which interestingly has shielded me from a lot of sexist bias. Granted people think I’m weird, but sadly in some circles it’s easier for me to be viewed as weird than as a woman, people have way more associations/assumptions/expectations about women.

Congrats on the joooob!!!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I appreciate all of the feedback and advice and perspectives. Once again, this group rocks!

I got the job...temporarily dyed

im very happy for you
enjoy it
but im just sad we had to even have this converstaion about it in the first place
a man would never need to consider this

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Late to the party but I did some research and yes coloring grey helps. I am so glad you got the job! Also wear lipstick. My past research showed that a woman wearing lipstick is perceived as “smarter” than one without. It’s crazy the rules women need to live by to get by or even get ahead.

really ?


i never wear lipstick (and i have a minimum wage job so.....)
i do wear eye make up
i hate the feel and the look of lipstick on me,
i do own lipstick, i prefer the pale shades, but i always end up wiping it off

 

[Lookinagain]

really ?


i never wear lipstick (and i have a minimum wage job so.....)
i do wear eye make up
i hate the feel and the look of lipstick on me,
i do own lipstick, i prefer the pale shades, but i always end up wiping it off

I think the trend today is for a lot of women to wear brighter lipstick colors. Kind of like power colors. I do wear lipstick, but only natural shades. I'm the opposite of you, I hate wearing eye makeup! But I do color my hair, for me, not for anyone else. Luckily I'm so old, no one notices me anyway

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I think the trend today is for a lot of women to wear brighter lipstick colors. Kind of like power colors. I do wear lipstick, but only natural shades. I'm the opposite of you, I hate wearing eye makeup! But I do color my hair, for me, not for anyone else. Luckily I'm so old, no one notices me anyway

i dont think you are old at all

i have been colouring my hair so long i dont remember its origional colour, the grey sneaks into the regrowth and as you say i colour it for myself, no one else
i remember back in my first job, i was 18 or 19 in 1990 ish, i got my hair cut and my dept manager said it was too short ...
so i went and got more cut off it

but i have had long hair now a long time even if i do just wear it up. length gives me the volume i never had before

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

MMtwo, congrats on getting the job. You have beautiful hair, skin and features but I think you got the job on merit. Well done.
I'm 68 and was sitting with color on my head thru this whole thread. I HATE coloring my hair, PITA. You're doing this the right way, keep it up.

 

[kenny]

Never on a job interview did I need to cover the grey.

But, I did feel the need to, uh, cover the gay.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

really ?


i never wear lipstick (and i have a minimum wage job so.....)
i do wear eye make up
i hate the feel and the look of lipstick on me,
i do own lipstick, i prefer the pale shades, but i always end up wiping it off

I'm the same way. I love Chapstick or similar type lip balms instead of lipstick. My favorite right now is Count Chocula made by General Mills.

 

[Austina]

Congrats! Hope it turns out to be everything you hope for.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Congrats on the job! I knew they'd love you!!!

PS I'm going cycling now--and always wear lipstick!!!

cheers--Sharon