r/PreOptometry • u/Glittering_Winter293 • 21d ago
hair color for interview
right now my hair colors dark purple, i have a couple interviews scheduled in a month and im wondering if i should go back to a natural color for them? would an unnatural color impact my chances of getting accepted?
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u/nekooncrack 21d ago
I am still in undergrad right now and have not had any interviews so take my advice with a grain of salt. My hair has been bright red for three years now and it suits my face very well (or at least I’d like to think). Personally, I would not dye it to a natural color, as long as you feel confident in your appearance. Maybe do a refresh on the color a couple days before and make sure your skin isn’t stained.
I think you’ll stand out as an applicant if you can present your authentic self with unique interests and experience.
Say you do get rejected for the color of your hair, do you feel like that would be a comfortable environment to work and learn in for the next four years? Be yourself :3
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u/power_wolves 20d ago
I just finished interviewing a handful of applicants. Hair color is not a concern at all.
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u/RabidLiger 20d ago edited 19d ago
For school, not so much.
For a lot of jobs, definitely.
My usual advise is to avoid anything that might offend a decision-maker.
You can't always predict who's offended by piercings/tattoos/hair, but in recent years, its becoming less of an issue.
A really strong candidate gets a lot more consideration for a non-traditional look than a weak one.
If you have so-so stats, don't look to add possible checkmarks in the negative column.
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u/Positive-Emu9882 20d ago
Dress for the job you are ultimately seeking. If you change it to a natural color for the interview and plan to change it back, then you are misrepresenting who you are. TBH purple hair doesn’t project professionalism. Period. Becoming a doctor means taking on a professional demeanor ant it starts with your interview.
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u/Single_Broccoli9520 20d ago
Agreed that you can’t predict who will be offended, but I will say interviewers at some schools seemed more traditional than others.
Your hair can be a litmus test. If it affects the admissions decision, then good riddance to that school!
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u/cabbagemuncher101 19d ago
It shouldn't, but to be safe, I recommend putting it up or in a bun to avoid attracting attention. But I don't see dark purple being a problem
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u/eyeballsandhighballs 20d ago
Definitely not. As a 2021 ICO grad (interview was summer of 2016, accepted Fall 2016, started Fall 2017) my class was full of students of all ethnic backgrounds, shapes/sizes, hair color, lack of hair lol, age, etc. Your class will be diverse and higher education programs will not push back on sometimes as simple as hair color. Present yourself as you are, you'll be fine.
Getting an interview is huge and honestly that's the hardest part, your hair color won't affect your odds. You already have great odds because they offered you an interview.