i might have to straighten my hair soon!

[soulie]

it may be unpopular but I am also with you on this one

Ditto! While a bias against the TWA might be "the recruiter's issue", when you are interviewing the recruiter's issue becomes YOUR issue. Unfortunately, when interviewing it can be necessary to conform to "accepted" business appearances. Those appearances frequently include showing up in formal business attire - even when the organization is business casual. There are different standards for interviewees and employees and that doesn't indicate that they wouldn't be comfortable with an employee rocking a TWA.

When you go to the interview, keep your eyes open - you'll get a feel for the environment, the dress code, etc - you might even see some Frohawks in the halls!

Good luck to you.

 

[Rapunzel*]

Not surprised at all, looking at your pics, you are very pretty, likable, outgoing, confident, etc.

thank you very much. right now im just trying to do what i think is best for my son and i, one thing i dont want is heat damage i want my hair to get a little longer so i can wear twists.

 

[holland]

When I Big Chopped, I worked for an ultra conservative company. I wore my twa because straightening my hair was not an option. I don't think you should straighten your hair. I, too, believe that the twa is the neatest, most conservative natural style.

 

[lilsparkle825]

in all seriousness, i would rock the TWA with a conservative outfit and jewelry, like studs and a simple gold chain or something. your hair doesn't scream "look at me" so there should be no problem. now if you had purple streaks or a million piercings like i used to have, then...

 

[Rapunzel*]

I say straighten if you fell you must. I had this issue a while back for a high-end retail store. I wore a TWA for the interview and didn't think twice. I didn't see it an issue. Anyway, long story short, they hired me. I was the only AA girl there(which always seems to be the case)Throughout working there, I had worn weaves, long straight hair, everything! After a while the ladies said they preferred my TWA. It represented variety, I think! But, that was retail. With banks it might be tricky. I say where it straight, but once you get the job, the sooner you go back to TWA the better!

yea im in retail/sales and they love my twa but this bank is almost another step to the corporate world. i think my hair can take a rest i like to change things up every once in a while. i have some braid hair in my room too

. thats what i originally thought wear it straight for a week then go back to the twa but keep it straight for the first few days,i dont want this to be made as a habit i want to retain length

 

[hopeful]

thank you very much. right now im just trying to do what i think is best for my son and i, one thing i dont want is heat damage i want my hair to get a little longer so i can wear twists.

Your hair will be long enough to wear twists b4 you know it! And no you don't want heat damage--it really sucks--believe me!

 

[Rapunzel*]

I'm curious as to what sort of 'wrong idea' they could get?

*sigh*

I'm sure my opinion might be generally unpopular, but if we, as natural women, don't stop acting like our natural hair is something that is a hindrance to doing what we want to do - whether it's getting a job, a man, a promotion, whatever, then it's going to continue to be a hindrance to all natural women - who else is going to stand up for us? Sista's with perms? Why? They are the norm. White women? Please. Black men? Triple please.

*sigh*

I think it's a disservice, both to yourself, and to other people, to fall into the belief that you have to have straight hair in order to be 'accepted'. It's a trap that we have dug for ourselves, and it seems like, even today, we just want to keep digging it deeper.

*sigh*

And the REALLY sad part? Most of the time, it's OTHER black people causing the most stress about it. The white folks don't give a damn.


At the end seximami, it's what feels best and right to you - if in your heart, you really feel like you HAVE to go straight to get this job that you really want/need - hey. It's just hair, right, and ain't none of us on this site finna start paying your bills for you.

i agree with you if i allow myself to be something my not ill never get anywhere mentally. the wrong idea would be a distraction weather it may be good or bad. i need to sleep on it i guess

 

[SignatureBeauty]

What if they don't like your Braids? I feel you will get this job with your Twa, to me it is BEAUTIFUL!! But we all know you have to be decked out with a Twa, I mean the Outfits, shoes, Make-up,Accessories,Nails all that makes a big difference oh & CONFIDENCE! My husband asked me one time when I first went natural in '03' why cut it and go thru all that if all you gonna do is cover it up and hide it!

Don't stress yourself out, you can always Transition!

 

[BillsBackerz67]

in all seriousness, i would rock the TWA with a conservative outfit and jewelry, like studs and a simple gold chain or something. your hair doesn't scream "look at me" so there should be no problem. now if you had purple streaks or a million piercings like i used to have, then...

I agree. Your hair isnt the first thing that stands out about you. Not to say that it isnt beautiful but I think you get my drift. As for me. I never straighten my hair, but I do wear it back for interviews because its huge, and that usually is the first thing that people notice about me. When it was only an inch or so long it was not. I say wear the TWA, you trying to straighten it might turn into more of a hassle esp if it rains or its humid that day.


Good Luck

 

[Rapunzel*]

I understand exactly what you mean. You know your qualities and you don't want them to be distracted. I know its old-school but my parents and professors have always advised me to err on the conservative side for interviews and I believe it's worked. Plus, if you didn't get the job you wouldn't want to have to worry that it was because of the TWA. Even one of my professional mentors who retired from the Army at a very high rank told me she wore a wig for her interview for her present job (she's natural, too), because you want them to feel comfortable with you.

yea i understand the conservative part.and i understand that i should be me but i know if its not meant for me to have this job i wont. regardless on how i wear my hair. but im just thinking about my first impression

 

[londontresses]

I say straighten it. When you're sitting in an interview the last thing you want to be thinkin about is whether or not the panel are feelin your 'fro. It'll end up being more of a distraction for you than you feel it may be for them.

Good luck! :0)

 

[Rapunzel*]

My sister has worked at at bank for about 15 years and went in there Bald headed and she is still there and Bald headed, she hates to comb her hair so she keeps it to where all she has to do is brush and go. I see so many Corporate Ladies with Twa's, But like others said if you feel it is a problem then do what you have to do, You couldn't cornrow it back and put a phony bun on it? I know it is hot, but a cute short cut wig would be cute, all I can wear is a short cut wig when I wear one! But I love your Twa! I hate to hear that A Twa is keeping you from a Job! Or you think it might. A Twa is a Hard style to wear for some! I mean I just don't understand! But I agree with Justkiya!!!

Good Luck To You! Do what you feel is best!!!

15 years thats impressive, deep down i want to wear my twa but the other side of me wants to wear it straight.i really dnt cornrow but i do twist if i did twists id do a fake puff pony.
and thanks i love mines too
its nt long enough for a bun without twists or cornrows

 

[AVE One]

Do what you feel most comfortable with but I agree with some of the other ladies...you should rock your TWA!! Why would it be distracting? It is short, well shaped, simple, stylish..chic and your wear it well! If it was a big fro that would be another issue. Just wear your day face make-up, some small earrings, a nice suit and some jazzy shoes and let your personality shine through. I think that your TWA would be cuter than some braids. Just my opinion.

 

[holland]

Okay, I am going to be a flip-flopper and agree with Iris. You are trying to get a job, not make a statement, in which case it may be necessary to conform until you get your foot in the door.erplexed When I had a twa, I had worked for my company for well over 4 years at that point. Do what your
instincts dictate. Good luck to you.

 

[Rapunzel*]

Ditto! While a bias against the TWA might be "the recruiter's issue", when you are interviewing the recruiter's issue becomes YOUR issue. Unfortunately, when interviewing it can be necessary to conform to "accepted" business appearances. Those appearances frequently include showing up in formal business attire - even when the organization is business casual. There are different standards for interviewees and employees and that doesn't indicate that they wouldn't be comfortable with an employee rocking a TWA.

When you go to the interview, keep your eyes open - you'll get a feel for the environment, the dress code, etc - you might even see some Frohawks in the halls!

Good luck to you.

thats what i was thinking. the lady that i asked were they hiring always smiles at me and is always polite. she said yes and she didnt have to.
me im going to wear some slacks black heals and a collard shirt with some studs

 

[Rapunzel*]

in all seriousness, i would rock the TWA with a conservative outfit and jewelry, like studs and a simple gold chain or something. your hair doesn't scream "look at me" so there should be no problem. now if you had purple streaks or a million piercings like i used to have, then...

i agree thats what i think, but i dont know if the interviewer thinks the same as us

When I Big Chopped, I worked for an ultra conservative company. I wore my twa because straightening my hair was not an option. I don't think you should straighten your hair. I, too, believe that the twa is the neatest, most conservative natural style.

would you have straightened it if you could.
and thanks

 

[Rapunzel*]

Your hair will be long enough to wear twists b4 you know it! And no you don't want heat damage--it really sucks--believe me!

its neck length 3-5 inches all around but my twists really shrink right now

 

[anon123]

you have to go in there feeling totally comfortable or it will affect your whole vibe and possibly the whole interview, do what your going to 'feel' the most confident in, because thats going to show

This is what I was thinking. I don't want to encourage you to feel that you have to straighten your hair, but in the first couple of pages I saw you say that you don't want it to be a distraction or hindrance like 5 times. Which tells me that you'd be really uncomfortable about it. Honestly, I really don't think it would be a problem. TWAs are fairly common and acceptable to a lot of probably most people and they are easy to be made to be very neat. But it seems like you feel it is a problem and I wouldn't want that to be on your mind when you went in for the interview.

 

[Rapunzel*]

What if they don't like your Braids? I feel you will get this job with your Twa, to me it is BEAUTIFUL!! But we all know you have to be decked out with a Twa, I mean the Outfits, shoes, Make-up,Accessories,Nails all that makes a big difference oh & CONFIDENCE! My husband asked me one time when I first went natural in '03' why cut it and go thru all that if all you gonna do is cover it up and hide it!

Don't stress yourself out, you can always Transition!

i agree with ur hubby thats why i took out my braids i got tired of weave.

on this interview i wont wear accessories just small earings ans maybe my tiffany bracelet

 

[JustKiya]

I got my first corporate job in teenage dreads, which are most likely close to the messiest natural hairstyle ever at a mid-west based Fortune 500 company straight out of college - nappy hair, no experience, and no degree (because I had to go to summer school) - and I still got hired.

I really do believe that if you shine, and if you believe that your hair is just as 'professional' as the next womans, you'll be fine.

 

[Rapunzel*]

I agree. Your hair isnt the first thing that stands out about you. Not to say that it isnt beautiful but I think you get my drift. As for me. I never straighten my hair, but I do wear it back for interviews because its huge, and that usually is the first thing that people notice about me. When it was only an inch or so long it was not. I say wear the TWA, you trying to straighten it might turn into more of a hassle esp if it rains or its humid that day.


Good Luck

yea it is very hot out here and sometimes humid. i also have a feeling i wouldnt get it flat if i straightened it.
and thank you i love my twa too

 

[Rapunzel*]

I say straighten it. When you're sitting in an interview the last thing you want to be thinkin about is whether or not the panel are feelin your 'fro. It'll end up being more of a distraction for you than you feel it may be for them.

Good luck! :0)

thanks
i hope its just one interviewer

 

[LeNghtyDreAms]

im natural and i work at a bank, i do wear my hair in a bun though. I think it should be fine, like a previous poster said if they dont hire you with your natural hair they probably wont be too receptive when you show up to work rocking your natural unstraightened hair. Rock the twa with some cute clips and own that interview!

Good luck!

 

[freshlikemoi]

I'd straighten it girl. I've known some of my friends with long curly hair straighten their hair. I don't think you are denying who you are.

 

[Rapunzel*]

Do what you feel most comfortable with but I agree with some of the other ladies...you should rock your TWA!! Why would it be distracting? It is short, well shaped, simple, stylish..chic and your wear it well! If it was a big fro that would be another issue. Just wear your day face make-up, some small earrings, a nice suit and some jazzy shoes and let your personality shine through. I think that your TWA would be cuter than some braids. Just my opinion.

your right it is simple and conservative, i guess it isnt a big afro but they'll have to worry about that at the end of the year
i think it would look better than braids too. plus synthetic hair gets hot in the summer

 

[Rapunzel*]

Okay, I am going to be a flip-flopper and agree with Iris. You are trying to get a job, not make a statement, in which case it may be necessary to conform until you get your foot in the door.erplexed When I had a twa, I had worked for my company for well over 4 years at that point. Do what your
instincts dictate. Good luck to you.

thanks for your advice

ill just rock it and its apart of me now

 

[Leeda.the.Paladin]

Well, I think as long as you are dressed appropriately and your hair is well groomed and clean, that they will not even blink at your twa. If you feel super uncomfortable though I guess straightening it is the way to go. I have a job interview here soon, but I am going in with my hair out. I really just don't think it would make a difference as long as I had everthing else in order. Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[Rapunzel*]

This is what I was thinking. I don't want to encourage you to feel that you have to straighten your hair, but in the first couple of pages I saw you say that you don't want it to be a distraction or hindrance like 5 times. Which tells me that you'd be really uncomfortable about it. Honestly, I really don't think it would be a problem. TWAs are fairly common and acceptable to a lot of probably most people and they are easy to be made to be very neat. But it seems like you feel it is a problem and I wouldn't want that to be on your mind when you went in for the interview.

yea i did see it as a problem at first but now i think im going to wear my twa

 

[Rapunzel*]

I got my first corporate job in teenage dreads, which are most likely close to the messiest natural hairstyle ever at a mid-west based Fortune 500 company straight out of college - nappy hair, no experience, and no degree (because I had to go to summer school) - and I still got hired.

I really do believe that if you shine, and if you believe that your hair is just as 'professional' as the next womans, you'll be fine.

thats what i will do is shine, and be all i can and f they dont accept it then they dont have too

 

[Rapunzel*]

im natural and i work at a bank, i do wear my hair in a bun though. I think it should be fine, like a previous poster said if they dont hire you with your natural hair they probably wont be too receptive when you show up to work rocking your natural unstraightened hair. Rock the twa with some cute clips and own that interview!

Good luck!

thanks for posting
once my hair gets longer ill be wearing buns. im going to rock my twa