6 Professional Hairstyles for a Job Interview

Don’t Let a Bad Hairstyle Get in the Way of Your Professional Image!

A job interview can be nerve racking by itself, but as a woman you have the additional stress of coming up with the outfit, the shoes, and how you’re going to wear your hair. It’s important to start the interview off right, so feeling and looking your very best is essential. You may have to dig to the back of your closet and go through the pain of trying on suits you haven’t worn for years, but when it comes to hair, we’ve got you covered with the 6 most professional hairstyles we for a job interview!

Ballerina Bun

The ballerina bun is simple, classic and easy to style! Comb hair back until it is smooth and secure into a ponytail at the desired height. Take the pony and twist until hair is taut. Wrap it around the base, securing with bobby pins as you go. Tuck the ends of your hair into the bun. This hairstyle is a great option for those with medium to long length hair and not too many layers.

Low “Messy” Bun

If you want your hair pinned up, but prefer a more relaxed look, the low messy bun is a great alternative to the ballerina hairstyle. Use your finger to collect hair at the nape of the neck and tie into a pony (not too tight!) Take a second elastic and tie hair so it’s in a loop with the ends sticking out. Use bobby pins to secure the looped pieces to the base of the pony. This hairstyle works great if you have wavy or curly hair, or if you have lots of layers.

Smooth and Shiny Straight

If in doubt, smooth, straight hair is easy and chic. Flat iron your hair in half inch sections for a high shine, high polish look. Finish with a light gel or smoothing serum to keep strands in place. This is a great option for shorter hairstyles!

Sleek Low Pony

If bobby pins and hair tools aren’t your style, or if you just want to keep it simple, a sleek, low pony is the way to go. Create a clean side or middle part. Comb hair until it is smooth and secure in a pony tail at the nape of the neck.

The Wavy Pony

Smooth and straight isn’t the only way to go. You can have the best of both worlds with a wavy pony tail. If you’re hair isn’t naturally wavy, create waves with a large barrel curling iron or flat iron. Run your fingers through your hair and gather at the nape. If you prefer you can also pull to one side. Once you’ve secured your hair take a strand of hair and wrap around the base of the pony. If you have naturally wavy hair, this is a great, easy option.

Half Up / Half Down

For an interview, it’s always a good idea to keep hair off of your face. With half up / half down, you can still wear your hair down without worrying about strands getting in your way. If you want volume, use a comb to tease underneath the top layer of your hair. Then, take the hair starting at the temple or above the ear and smooth it back to just below the crown of your head. Tie into a half pony and cover the elastic by pinning a piece of hair around it. Use the end of a rat tail comb to make sure the top is even and smooth.

Professional hair doesn’t have to be boring, and you certainly don’t have to wear the same look over and over. The key to a great professional hairstyle, is a simple and classic style that allows the focus to be on you. Your hair can be gorgeous, but at a job interview, or a professional setting, you want the main focus to be on what you have to say not your hair.

Contributing author Lindsay Hausch has provided clients with professional cutting edge color and cutting techniques at exclusive Paul Mitchell and Bumble and Bumble Signature Salons for the past seven years. She co-founded Sedona Beauty Team, which represents a team of artists that offer luxury, on-location beauty services. She enjoys writing articles that share her expertise. You can follow Lindsay on Twitter and FaceBook.

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