Comment by BrianH1972 on August 11, 2016 at 1:31am

I think the best thing you could do, like everyone who interviews, is be confident, be yourself and sell your assets. Your hair is no more an elephant in the room than is someone else's weight, someones else's height, someone else's speech problem, someone else lack of experience or inability to answer the questions. If you let your alopecia get in your head you will not get the job. But, if that happens it won't be that you didn't get the job because of your lack of hair it will be because your lack of hair caused you to interview poorly.

All we can do is be ourselves. I am 43 and I started losing my hair from male pattern baldness big time in my early 30s. I started shaving it years ago. Now I am getting AU and I am self conscious about my eyebrows.

Comment by RadianceCosmedicCentre on August 11, 2016 at 2:42am

I think you should focus on your interview.

Comment by Pamela on August 11, 2016 at 8:33am

I would never go out my door without my wig.  Get one and wear it.  This is something you can keep to yourself. Unlike the other examples given.

I also had my eyebrows tattooed along with eyeliner.  I would not do that again.  Excruciating

pain. 

Comment by andrea t on August 11, 2016 at 9:27am

Pamela won't leave her house without a wig but that doesn't mean it's the way to go. Each of us deals with our challenge differently. Being comfortable w/your choice is the most important ingredient. People will accept you if you accept yourself. Personally, I feel it's ok to casually mention your alopecia (what you call the elephant in the room) if the moment seems appropriate and right, but never in an apologetic way. Most importantly, as others have said, if you value yourself and have confidence, that will come across. Good luck w/your job search!

Comment by Dorothy on August 11, 2016 at 9:31am

Whether you wear your wig or not your hair is not part of your job skill, if during an interview they ask you because you decide to not wear your wig then address your alopecia.  Otherwise why do you need to?  Me, I would never be seen without my wig, but that is me, I am never going to be comfortable without it, but that is me and my comfort level.  I always wore my wig to work and only told those co-workers I wanted to know, as for the rest it was none of their business.  If you choose to not wear a wig, be prepared for questions.

Comment by Susan on August 11, 2016 at 9:36am

Hi Jeannie

Some great answers here,with the exception of Pamela's.

You must remember that you are so much more than your alopecia.We live in such a different time now.

Who knows what the interviewer is dealing with in their personal lives.You may show up at that interview and inadvertently,inspire them.

Be strong and remember that honesty,transparency,confidence,self acceptance and self love are keys to your success,along with your work skills,experience,knowledge and educational accomplishments.

Wouldn't it be interesting if the interviewer tells you that their sister is struggling with alopecia,and that they wished that their sister could see you.

I have been wig free for 1 year now.It changed my life... And yes,i was out shopping one day and the salesman said "i wished that my sister could see you and talk to you. She has alopecia and she is very miserable over it.No matter how much our family loves and supports her, and tells her that she's beautiful and that it's ok" 

I have come to realize that there is Power in boldness.Or Baldness...

Comment by Sara on August 11, 2016 at 9:43am

I agree with the others about being confident, but, if you choose to go to an interview without a wig, then I'd be upfront about alopecia. I don't think you have to go into a great deal of detail, but some people who don't know about alopecia assume that you have cancer and are undergoing treatment for it. I was a teacher before retirement, and although I did wear a wig, kids and teens are much more observant than adults. I had a wonderful teen write me a very nice letter of support because she thought I was fighting cancer. I took her aside and explained why I wore a wig (and told her it was ok to share that information).

Ever since, I've been more forthright about having alopecia.  

Comment by Storm-Arashi on August 11, 2016 at 9:46am

The interviewer isn't going to ask about your hair. It's very unlikely of that happening as if you got offended and called HR it could get them in trouble. Focus on presenting yourself and owning it. Don't say it unless it's relevant or you feel it will effect your work ethic.

Just own it. Can it get frustrating? Yes. But it's not your only trait unless you decide to let Alopecia define you as a victim rather then a person WITH Alopecia. It's okay to vent, it's okay to get frustrated when you hear the "Is it cancer?" question for the millionth time... But remember it's not your core personality.

Comment by Lovely butterfly on August 11, 2016 at 9:48am

Hey Jeannie, I did just recently interview AND get the job! I don't wear a wig, but I had my head wrapped with a scarf. I just mentioned in the interview that I'll be wearing scarves because of my alopecia and hope this doesn't pose a problem? I nonchalantly mentioned it in an effort to decrease any misconceptions I thought THEY would have? There were a few other interviews I had gone on and felt like they thought I had cancer...which people assume A LOT...so to alleviate the curiosity, I straight up told them it's alopecia! I would still rock my job while rocking whatever is on my head!!
Girl, boldly and proudly interview anyway you want...just OWN it!!
Good luck!!

Comment by andrea t on August 11, 2016 at 9:49am

Jeannie, I aspire to your boldness--admire it & have wished to move beyond alopecia all my life! I see totally bald women on the street w/their heads held high & I think, good for you, you go girl! I may get there before I die, but probably not, & can only envy your guts and others like you who go au natural! Very heartening!

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