Imago said:

That's great and all, but it still begs the question: What IS "professional"?

Besides, I hardly think pointing out that people who adorn themselves in the same horribly offensive, unprofessional way I do are actually the majority is childish whining. It's the truth. What sort of thought process ignores two thirds of qualified potential employees?

Maybe I should start bringing in "before" photos of myself to potential employers to show much I've already changed myself for their overly-fussy asses. "See? You think I look "rebellious" or whatever shit problem you have with me now,,,"

meow85 said:

You just have alllll the answers, don't you?

Go ahead...wear the piercings. Flash the ink. Don't get a job. It's no skin off their nose.

Because remember - no matter what the government dictates, the real minimum wage is always zero. Which is what they pay when they don't hire you.

Genesia said:

Well DAMNNNNN... cold but true

CalhounSq said:

Very.

Look, there is no good reason. It's arbitrary. Why can't I wear a skirt to an interview? How come you can wear a skirt but I can't even wear shorts? What the fuck IS a tie fer chrissakes?! It is not an important question when seeking a job, it's a bunch of whining. You want a job, you know what you should do.

However, just for the sake of discussion, I will offer this.

You have said that the concessions to your wardrobe & hair & jewelry are starting to make you uncomfortable with how you look. The thought of taking out your jewelry seems like selling out. So it sounds as if you define your character in part by what you wear & how you look. So why shouldn't they do the same? It's not just holes in your face. You said they are important to you. So there are deeper implications. Maybe to you those implications are positive, but to them maybe not so positive.

You are also judging them by their appearance. Not directly, but by extension of the fact that you adamantly do not want to look like them. It's not just clothes, it's character, and a character you don't want to play. This thread has made that painfully obvious. In fact it proves exactly what your rings indicate to the employer--that you are contrary & not willing to play by their rules!

You're obviously intelligent & capable of succeeding. But remember you're trying to succeed on a level of mediocrity. Don't expect it to be what it is not.

hokie said:

Because clearly, passing out with heatstroke is the more professional option.

Look, there is no good reason. It's arbitrary. Why can't I wear a skirt to an interview? How come you can wear a skirt but I can't even wear shorts? What the fuck IS a tie fer chrissakes?! It is not an important question when seeking a job, it's a bunch of whining. You want a job, you know what you should do.

However, just for the sake of discussion, I will offer this.

You have said that the concessions to your wardrobe & hair & jewelry are starting to make you uncomfortable with how you look. The thought of taking out your jewelry seems like selling out. So it sounds as if you define your character in part by what you wear & how you look. So why shouldn't they do the same? It's not just holes in your face. You said they are important to you. So there are deeper implications. Maybe to you those implications are positive, but to them maybe not so positive.

You are also judging them by their appearance. Not directly, but by extension of the fact that you adamantly do not want to look like them. It's not just clothes, it's character, and a character you don't want to play. This thread has made that painfully obvious. In fact it proves exactly what your rings indicate to the employer--that you are contrary & not willing to play by their rules!

You're obviously intelligent & capable of succeeding. But remember you're trying to succeed on a level of mediocrity. Don't expect it to be what it is not.

Look, there is no good reason. It's arbitrary. Why can't I wear a skirt to an interview? How come you can wear a skirt but I can't even wear shorts? What the fuck IS a tie fer chrissakes?! It is not an important question when seeking a job, it's a bunch of whining. You want a job, you know what you should do.

However, just for the sake of discussion, I will offer this.

You have said that the concessions to your wardrobe & hair & jewelry are starting to make you uncomfortable with how you look. The thought of taking out your jewelry seems like selling out. So it sounds as if you define your character in part by what you wear & how you look. So why shouldn't they do the same? It's not just holes in your face. You said they are important to you. So there are deeper implications. Maybe to you those implications are positive, but to them maybe not so positive.

You are also judging them by their appearance. Not directly, but by extension of the fact that you adamantly do not want to look like them. It's not just clothes, it's character, and a character you don't want to play. This thread has made that painfully obvious. In fact it proves exactly what your rings indicate to the employer--that you are contrary & not willing to play by their rules!

You're obviously intelligent & capable of succeeding. But remember you're trying to succeed on a level of mediocrity. Don't expect it to be what it is not.
[Edited 9/10/09 10:43am]

Have you ever done or not done something with your appearance specifically for the sake of a job? I don't mean anything as extreme as cosmetic surgery, just things like how you wear your hair or clothing.

How did you feel about this, if you had? Were you happy or unhappy about it? Did you not care either way? What did you do, and why? Do you feel it was justified? Tell me about it.

NDRU

You have said that the concessions to your wardrobe & hair & jewelry are starting to make you uncomfortable with how you look. The thought of taking out your jewelry seems like selling out. So it sounds as if you define your character in part by what you wear & how you look. So why shouldn't they do the same?

In fact it proves exactly what your rings indicate to the employer--that you are contrary & not willing to play by their rules!

Both my arms are tattooed. If Im meeting with someone at work or the VIP's are coming by the office I will wear a long sleeved blouse. But on a daily basis, i'd wear what i wanted to. The way I see it I was hired for my skills not my body...

I appreciate the responses and all, but I'm not and never will be applying for an office position. How I look at the office will never be an issue for me. I've been applying at places where, for the most part, there are no such dress code restrictions. Most often this issue never comes up, but on occasion it has. I'm not out looking for any serious job right now, just something to tide me over until I can finish my degree and have a job worth doing.

In my initial post I asked for people's own experiences and their feelings on it, not a lecture about how I'm doomed to homelessness if I don't comply.

My problem with such dress restrictions can be summed up pretty quickly. Any outfit that requires its personnel -whether it's a workplace, school, or the military -to dress alike, also expects them to think alike. In fact, that's the stated goal of many of these groups. No thanks. I happen to enjoy using my own brain from time to time.

Should I take that extra step and remove what amounts to quite a lot of money's worth of jewelry (for me) from my person? I've already drastically altered my appearance for the sake of a potential job and honestly, I don't feel comfortable anymore with how I look.

you should defnitly take thhose piercings off. I mean you can wear them all the time butt why wear them at work when you obviusly need a job and need to elevate your finanshial status?
I am absolutely against discriminaion based on appereance butt then again, I do know that the corprate world doesnt think like I_ do and sometimes you just have to abide their rules.

just play nice til you have the job you want. show em that your the one they looking for. proof them wrong when they question your skills. butt dont let your appereance let them judge you ...play nice for the time being.

later, once they know you and your qualities, you can slowly, gradually switch back to normal....except for the piercings because those are alwayys a no no.