Job Discussion Forums

[weatherman]

So I've got an interview coming up and I need to get a haircut. I've been a student for 6 years (undergrad & grad school) and it's safe to say my current haircut is not "professional" by American standards. It's kind of longish and at the community college I currently work at I get students joking about how I look like one of the Beatles. I've never been to Japan and I don't have a clear idea of what sorts of haircuts are considered professional and acceptable.

I'm going to get a haircut before I interview for an ESL job in Japan and I want it to be something professional looking that I can maintain while I'm in Japan (if I get the job), but what sorts of haircuts are considered appropriate for a teacher in Japan? I would prefer to not have a boring, comb to the side haircut or anything too trendy. I want to look interesting and original, but it's more important to me that I look appropriate for the job.

Are Japanese standards for what looks professional the same/similar to American standards? Could people post links or images to give me an idea of what looks professional in Japan and how much leeway I have?

Thanks in advance.

PS: Searching google I found this one:



Is that a good example of something I could get?

[drifter13]

I've seen lots of variety in professional haircuts looking for work around Japan. I think the important thing is that it looks clean and well maintained. I cut my hair pretty short, since it means low maintinence, taking me like 3mins tops to comb for work. Obviously avoid anything crazy, and natural hair colors only is standard.

Bottom line, don't show up like you just woke up or look like you belong in a garage band from the early 90's.

[Apsara]

It's really going to depend on where you are working and who you interview with, but the style on the guy in the picture is probably borderline. Some people would find it acceptable, some might think it is too long.

It isn't a standard style for business here, definitely- if you look at the guy's suit as well he looks more like one of the guys who hangs out near Shibuya station recruiting hostesses etc. than a salaryman.

I would recommend a bit shorter for interviews so you don't jeopardise your chances just with your hair, then when you have the job grow it out a bit and see what reaction you get.

I have worked with guys with longer hair than that although some of them did get grief over it from managers etc.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

Not to mention that the requirements for gaijin are in this case sometimes more strict than for Japanese people. Gaijin get away with wearing non-black suits. Young Japanese people usually don't. So when hireing overseas, they *may* want people who look 'professional'.

You don't need to look like a Japanese person, take a look around at how professional people look in your home country (probably short on the sides and back, slightly longer on top, either combed forward or parted on the side). That's the mark to go by and then adjust it as much as you think you could get away with at some really, really conservative company in your country (think of how funeral home personel look, that's a good bar for ultra-conservative and not shocking in the least).

[chollimaspeed]

The haircut in that picture is not usually considered "professional".

Try something like this:

[J.]

go for the earlier Beatles ( ie a bit more length on top and the front while keeping the sides and back shortish, rather than the later Beatles--hair half-way down your back, you should be fine. I'd visit a trendy salon and ask them for something to suit you which is fashionable, then visit a salon when you get here before it's completely grown out, so they can see the lines and maintain it for you.

Young people here have quite fashionable, styled hair. I would think there's a lot of leeway for having quite a fashionable haircut. Though it does seem like short and almost-shaved to shaved heads are also in vogue.

Those really conservative styles are mostly seen on older salarimen. I think a few of them are still wearing Ducktails.

[groothewanderer]

Usually for me, the longer the hair, the less acceptable.

[taffer]

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7068/1485/1600/Houston.jpg

I would say either of these would be fine.

[zignut]

The photo looks like a toupee to me...

All the cool kids in Japan get mullets.