Not hired because of my hair color (rant)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh man, OP, I was totally on board with you until you had to start posting the pictures. It's pretty obvious by this behavior that you are the kind of person who does things just to be the center of attention and, regardless of what you look like, that is not the kind of person I would want my kids spending their time with.
I say this as a nanny who has two full tattoo sleeves and facial piercings (But who always covers them up when interviewing, my tattoos are for me, not so others are impressed with how"different" I am).

OP here.
I don't dye my hair to be the center of attention. I do it because I like it that way.
I don't need anyone to be "impressed" with how different I am.
Someone asked for pictures, so I posted, that's all.

you needed to post multiple pictures to make your point?

[Anonymous]

Maybe she agreed to meet you after seeing your picture because she thought it was a Halloween costume.

[Anonymous]

I've posted already on this thread but just had to come back to look at the pictures again. Thanks for the laughs, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:16:26: NP here, but you are being kind of a jerk. Like why do you think that the OP wants to be the center of attention because she colored the hair on her own head a few wacky "unnatural" colors?

Op, I'd take a nanny (with hair like yours!) who cares for my kids over a nanny who looks "professional" but abuses my kids.

Lmao as if those are the only two choices?

[Anonymous]

MB here.

I like your hair, OP, and it would never be an issue or barrier to my hiring you.

[Anonymous]

That is fun for high school, maybe even college but when you are looking for a "professional" job, you act and dress like it. I could see how it could be a big turn off by families. I would wonder about your maturity. I would consider you but I am not sure how serious I'd take you with that hair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:16:26: NP here, but you are being kind of a jerk. Like why do you think that the OP wants to be the center of attention because she colored the hair on her own head a few wacky "unnatural" colors?

Op, I'd take a nanny (with hair like yours!) who cares for my kids over a nanny who looks "professional" but abuses my kids.

Lmao as if those are the only two choices?

I meant that looks can be deceiving. The professional nanny may not be the best one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't have hired you. A couple colors wouldn't have been an issue, but when your hair matches your socks, it is too much.

You're right. MB probably saw you, took one look at your clown hair and ran off. It is cool, but not for working with children.

Are you kidding? Kids would love this hair! I think this type of work is the biggest area that you COULD get away with having hair like this. Working with kids, or working from home, or being in the entertainment industry (which being a nanny partially fits into, you are always entertaining kids).

[Anonymous]

I don't understand the parents complaining that they would have to explain to their kids why they can't color their hair like nanny's. Unless you lock your kid away in the basement when not in school (and potentially even then), they're gonna see *someone* out walking around who has unnaturally modified their image.. and if they're the type of kid so inclined, even a 3 second encounter will stir up weeks of pleading to do it themselves!

Parents can't escape this aspect of parenting. However, having a nanny with mods could be a definite benefit, as it could mean a lot more coming straight from them that it's something only adults are allowed to do- hearing this news from their mom could just make her seem like a mean parent who doesn't understand the appeal.

[Anonymous]

I like your hair but the fact is people are going to make assumptions about your personality based off your appearance. When I'm about to interview, I dye my hair back to a natural color, pull out my gauges and cover my tattoos. Once I'm hired I slowly change everything back. All my families were taken aback by my change but by that time they had begun to trust my judgement. It's about presenting yourself in a professional manner and even tho you don't work in an office, they do and it's normal to dress appropriately for an interview. You can go around and "hate the man" for discriminating but you being upset like this isn't going to change societies views. You need to get your foot in the door and change their perceptions from the inside. Once they trust you and you start changing your hair, it will have a greater impact on their views of people like you. It's harder to discriminate when you have personal connection with the people you typically discriminate against.

[Anonymous]

LOL! OP you look like a fool. I wouldn't hire a fool either!

[Anonymous]

I think your hair looks really cool OP! But not sure how I'd feel as a MB who doesn't know you....

[Anonymous]

Another MB here. I think that shot of your hair braided is beyond fun. I would make two immediate assumptions:

a) you'd be fantastic w/ kids, non-judgemental, and creative
b) I'd have to be prepared to deal with "Why can't I get my hair done like Jane's?)

I'd totally hire you. My slightly uptight conservative husband would probably balk a bit but I think you'd be awesome. (I would be pretty concerned about an Annapolis to Olney commute though.)

Sorry that MB had to be so rotten as to post a review of you - that is totally uncalled for, but otherwise you totally dodged a bullet.

Hope you find something great.

A

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another MB here. I think that shot of your hair braided is beyond fun. I would make two immediate assumptions:

a) you'd be fantastic w/ kids, non-judgemental, and creative
b) I'd have to be prepared to deal with "Why can't I get my hair done like Jane's?)

I'd totally hire you. My slightly uptight conservative husband would probably balk a bit but I think you'd be awesome. (I would be pretty concerned about an Annapolis to Olney commute though.)

Sorry that MB had to be so rotten as to post a review of you - that is totally uncalled for, but otherwise you totally dodged a bullet.

Hope you find something great.

A

OP here.
Thank you, you sound like a great person to work for
As far as the commute, my last full time nanny job was in Ashton (near Olney) and during the 2.5 years I worked there, I was late maybe 2 times (due to accidents)
You are right though, I totally dodged a bullet.

[Anonymous]

You are young and trying out new looks which is what your twenties is for, but there's a lot of truth about the way people feel and social stigma of looking different on purpose. Tattoos, piercings, and crazy hair are very common ways to try on new looks and have been for a long time, but you may face discrimination from future employers. If your ok with the reality of that then don't complain when someone is honest with you about their feelings and the way you choose to look, that's reality. People judge you by the way you look and MB may be worried people will judge her and her judgement for hiring you. This is the way the professional world works, especially during the interview process. It's fine to look the way you like, but if you can tone it down initially it will be easier for prospective employers to see you and your skills instead of rainbow hair and piercings. This coming from a 40 year old nanny with too many bad tattoos I regret getting in my twenties.