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Job interview - cover the grey?

Should an older applicant dye hair for a job interview?

  • Yes

    Votes: 17 42.5%

  • No

    Votes: 12 30.0%

  • Maybe

    Votes: 11 27.5%
  • Total voters
    40
MMtwo

MMtwo

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
5,141
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.
 
Conscious or not, ageism is alive and well, and IT is especially associated with young up-and-comers. I would cover the gray. Once you have the job, you can embrace the gray all you want. Good luck with your interview!
 
It depends if it’s a beautiful gray like I see on many women and men or a not so beautiful gray like I have. I’d love to go all gray but unfortunately my hairdresser says I’ll never have that so for me it’s a chaotic type of gray mixed with my dark brown hair. But girl, if yours is an attractive mix I’d keep it. Don’t color it. So my answer is it depends

Good luck with your job interview!!
 
Are you coming in with seniority or are you significantly older than the other people at your level and/or your manager?

Can you cover your greys with a temporary dye so you don't have to deal with roots if you end up not feeling the need to cover them in the future? I think having very visible roots looks 'older' and much less modern than embracing the grey.

I wish I could say to just embrace the grey, it seems ridiculous that you even need to ask this. But we do know ageism is alive and well, especially against women and especially in some parts of tech.
 
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.

IMG_0097.jpeg

@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.
 
Last edited:
MMtwo said:
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.

IMG_0097.jpeg
Click to expand...

I think your hair color and style looks so gorgeous on you. I personally would not color it ♥️
 
I love your hair as-is! Definitely don't do a permanent color if you choose to color it, you'll lose so much dimension. But you certainly don't have an 'out of touch' look in that photo with your fabulous hair and glasses and skin -- and if they think those kinds of nasty thoughts about people who are older than they are, would you really want to work with them anyways?
 
I think your hair looks good as it is, but honestly, especially since the job is tech related, it's probably more likely that age may play a factor in the hiring decision. It's unfortunate, but true. You look younger than your years, but maybe try a temporary rinse in a color that makes it look like your hair is highlighted, instead of going all one color? I hate the fact that I'm even saying this, but reality is reality and there is definitely age discrimination in the hiring process. Especially if the manager/hiring person is in that 30-40 age range. If they are older, it may not be as much of an issue as I think older managers tend to appreciate older employees more.
 
Thanks so much everyone, I appreciate the feedback and help! I am going to look for a tinted gloss to help blend a bit, but not create too much change. Hoping it goes well!
 
If you do anything I would just use something that blends it and washes out after several washes.

You've got a great hairstyle so that's a big plus!
 
I think you look gorgeous as you are.
But if you think a subtle change is needed, do it.
Also, maybe wear power red lipstick.....just a thought.
Own the room! Good luck!
 
My hairstylist has often used temporary color for me. It looks very natural but washes out. I would go that route. Not sure you can get the quality you want over the counter.
 
Dreamer_D said:
My hairstylist has often used temporary color for me. It looks very natural but washes out. I would go that route. Not sure you can get the quality you want over the counter.
Click to expand...

I have a week or so to experiment before the big day. The only hesitation I have to changing or dying is that my hair usually stains until it grows out, even with the demi colors (Sally's box dye). I am thinking about a wash in and out dye. I'll call my hairdresser about that option.
 
I think you are gorgeous and should embrace it. You are definitely looking very youthful! I would leave it. I am just shy of 50 and am embracing my hair changes.
 
I feel compelled to also say I would not dye my hair in that context for a couple reasons. First, I don’t think it’s going to do much to change the fact of your age. And second, I don’t personally want to work at a company that discriminates against older women.
 
HI:

You look lovely and your hair is fabu! You could add a few highlights/low lights if you have a good stylist who can do this. Much success to your on your interview!

cheers--Sharon
 
Dreamer_D said:
I feel compelled to also say I would not dye my hair in that context for a couple reasons. First, I don’t think it’s going to do much to change the fact of your age. And second, I don’t personally want to work at a company that discriminates against older women.
Click to expand...

This. They already know your age. Getting an interview speaks volumes to your ability. They will love you!
 
I think your hair looks great as is! A mature, experienced person might be just what they are looking for. Just be you as you certainly shine in your own right!
 
MMtwo said:
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.
Click to expand...
 
I voted yes because, while I'm far from an expert, I think younger women very frequently color their hair. It just seems to liven things up!

With your shorter, very attractive style, it'd be easy for you to try a temporary box color: As someone with naturally very dark brown hair, I started with a temp medium ash shade when greys started to show in my mid-50s.

I'm 60 now, so get professional color. My stylist advises that the older we get, the lighter we should go. So, now my hair is a lighter brown with depth (that's best way I can describe) and additional, medium golden highlights every 4 months or so. The highlights definitely help conceal greys between root touchups. My stylist uses Oway products, and I love them.

In my last workplace, hair was everyone's priority, and we all made time-off exceptions for hair appointments! The office rule, for every age, was "hair first." =)2

Good luck!
 
y
MMtwo said:
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.

IMG_0097.jpeg

@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.
Click to expand...

your hair is pretty
you should not have to colour it if you usually dont do it
descrimination on age is illegal here as im sure it is in your country
generation X is in no way even remotly old !!!
im 52 but i have dyed mine for years, my regrowth is now very grey

edited to add i wear a cap at work (dont want hair in the pies) and at my last job (timber yard office) i also wore a cap, but people still noticed when i had just put a colour through
 
Dreamer_D said:
I feel compelled to also say I would not dye my hair in that context for a couple reasons. First, I don’t think it’s going to do much to change the fact of your age. And second, I don’t personally want to work at a company that discriminates against older women.
Click to expand...

here here !!!
 
I would suggest go with whatever you feel comfortable and help with boosting your self-confidence.

I tried semi-permanent colouring over 20 years ago, and it freaked me out when I saw the new growth at the parting being so different as in grey/white.

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

Besides, I did not like the smell of the chemical after each re-touch.

Each to their own, etc. etc...

Good luck with the interview.

DK :))
 
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