To be upset at interview feedback about my hair

[Namirya]

Got feedback after a fourth interview, sadly I didn't get the job. The recruiter said the company thought I was extremely well prepared, but I came across as a bit nervous. Fair enough - I know it wasn't my best performance, as I got virtually no sleep the night before (DD woke up in the middle of the night, then insomnia kicked in).

Then the recruiter said something that completely threw me off. She said the interviewer suggested I wear my hair down next time as my hairstyle was too "rigid" in combination with a formal interview suit. I had straightened my hair, and put it up in a sleek ponytail with a lovely elegant band. It was raining, my hair is long and I didn't want a frizzy mess.

The position I was interviewing for was quite senior, in a formal environment. I didn't want my hair to be a distraction. It wasn't messy, or unkempt. What was it commented on? It wouldn't be an issue for a man. I am so annoyed!

Fuck that. I'm sorry that you didn't get the job but I think you've had a lucky escape.

I'd be furious. Unless the interview was for a job directly relevant to your hair, this is ridiculous. You had a lucky escape.

If you’d turned up after a rainstorm with your frizz in full flow and hadn’t attempted to do anything about it, I could see them commenting that you didn’t understand the formal environment. Not that your look is too formal for a formal environment! Wtf!

Was the interviewer a man or a woman?

What a weird thing to say. Maybe it’s a dodged bullet not getting that job?

You are right to be annoyed! What does it matter how you have your hair?! Unless it was completely covering your face, it shouldn't be an issue.

There’s no way that appearance should come into it! If you’d gone in to an interview wearing dirty joggers and a t shirt, fair enough to comment but beautifully styled hair? Fuck that. You dodged a bullet.

Jesus wept. Awful place.

Whaaaat! You wouldn't want to work for them! Lucky escape!

Also isn’t it actually illegal to not give people jobs on the basis of things like that? Pretty stupid of the interviewer to say what they said and of the recruiter to tell you. What kind of job was it?

That's dreadful.

Omgg complain please

Ask for feedback and see if it's recorded on the interview sheets, if it's not she shouldn't be saying it.

How bizarre. Surely as long as you're well presented it doesn't matter what your hair looks like? I agree you've probably didged a bullet here and look you're obviously a very strong candidate if that's the only thing they can think to criticise!

Wow ! I'd go back and ask would they make such a comment to a man ?

Fucking disgraceful. I was told to wear my hair down “next time”. But that was about twenty years ago and I still refused to go back for the second interview (office job - non hair related).

In all the people I've ever interviewed, I've barely ever consider the way they've presented themselves, even those dressed too informally. Who the fuck cares if they're a good fit for the role. Fuck em OP!

That is absolutely shocking

What?! You’re best off out of it. For me to comment in anyway about someone’s appearance in an interview then it would have to be extreme. I’ve done lots of interviewing and your hair sounds absolutely fine. If you were a man then l doubt this would happen

I had a comment years ago about my hair at an interview. I have naturally very curly/frizzy hair (think Alex Kingston with a bit more frizz). It's just how it grows out of my head. I was told it wasn't sleek enough. I was absolutely furious but nothing you can do and I thought it was a lucky escape that I didn't gey the job and work for arseholes.

So sorry this happened to you, think of it as a lucky escape.

Yeah that's bullshit. I always tie my hair back for interviews so it's not a distraction and I'm not sweeping it off my face.

Oh wow I thought you were going to say you had green spiked hair and you were applying for a corporate law job or something.
What a bizarre comment from them!

WTAF

This would never happen to a man! Is there anyone you can complain to?

So bizarre

Bloody ridiculous thing for them to say. I’m cross on your behalf!

I mean, what would they say to a bald man in a formal suit? Nothing at all, is my guess.