I have been interviewing for a new job these last few weeks. With 25+ years in my field, I'm up for senior/management positions.
Out comes the business suit, white shirt & tie. Haircut. Skip the earrings and nail polish. Be 'presentable' and 'professional'.
It is like all the freedom I have being myself is stolen from me because 'business culture' hasn't caught up with 'social culture'.
I wish it didn't matter what you looked like more than what you *know*. People make so many judgments in those first 10 seconds of interaction. Early in the process I was looked at oddly because I had a *ponytail*. Sure, I was in a crisp wool suit, starched shirt and a power tie... but the hair made them question my 'professionalism'.
For you geeks out there, I have been running an IT infrastructure with 200 servers in VMs, 150 switches, *18* class C address spaces... and I'm getting judged on my 'effin HAIR.
*grumble*
No wonder more of us aren't out at work. :/
<3
- MM