Comment by Susan on August 11, 2016 at 9:53am

We must remove the shame. Alopecia is not a disability and does not necessarily have to be kept to one's self.

No one is going to make a way for us in this world.We show the world a way.

Susan

Comment by Fuzzless on August 11, 2016 at 9:55am

If the interviewer thinks you are ill, he/she may think that you will not be able to perform the job or will be taking a lot of time off.  I think Lovely butterfly's approach was perfect. 

Comment by Pam on August 11, 2016 at 10:50am

I would bring it up in a casual, confident manner. Most of all, let them know that it is not life threatening. They may think you have cancer otherwise and make assumptions about your ability to work.

Comment by Susan on August 11, 2016 at 10:51am

Yes i agree with Gina and Lovely Butterfly,that you should tell the interviewer.And when you do,you must keep smiling and be confident as you speak. 

You can start by saying that you have a condition called alopecia,where one looses their hair.You can say that you had once worn wigs,but they can be very uncomfortable.

At the end of the day,you're not asking the interviewer for acceptance or permission.You're just clarifying things upfront. Transparency....

It is important to be confident and smile,because it shows strength, and your strength and resilience will now be an add on to not only your assets, but also something awesome that you are bringing to this company.

Trust me. 

Comment by Pamela on August 11, 2016 at 11:01am

I totally disagree Susan.  It is nobody business. I would be embarrassed out of my mind if somebody saw me bald.  Nobody but my husband has that privilege.

Comment by Sassydiana on August 11, 2016 at 11:11am

All good suggestions, I really like what Lovely Butterfly said, I have sat at the other side of the table and know that not knowing it is Alopecia and not cancer could be the reason I don't get the job. Of course an employer would never tell you that you did not get the job due to an illness, but they would find another way to not hire you, or tell you that you were not qualified or that someone had more experience or something. After all they are most likely looking for a long term employee.

I suggest you go to the interview however it makes you feel comfortable, wig, no wig or scarf be confident stand up tall and proud. Good luck to you

Comment by Solange De Santis on August 11, 2016 at 11:44am

Pamela has a very good point. I have had the experience both ways. I have interviewed and gotten jobs when I was not wearing a wig. They were at faith-based organizations where I was able to tell key people that I do not have cancer and my health is fine. Then I simply carried myself with confidence and got the job.

However, I am now in a high-level corporate environment and I have spent $500 on a very good wig, which I wear to work daily. I have to go to meetings with large groups of people in the industry and also with our corporate executives. I simply do not have the opportunity to explain constantly that I do not have cancer and I cannot control what someone across the room might say. Believe me, it's happened a lot ("I couldn't help but ask you how the treatments are going," etc. Or "look at that poor woman with cancer.") 

So I would say assess the work environment and whether you need to wear hair or not. I have had AU for 19 years and I was once a real diehard about not wearing a wig. Now, it's distracting and I want everyone to focus on my work. But the wig comes off the minute I get home! Best of luck.

Comment by Kate on August 11, 2016 at 11:44am

Bravo for putting yourself out there. I very much admire that you choose not to wear a wig. You of course do not owe anyone an explanation. However, it might be to your advantage to find a way to confidently and briefly address your baldness, so as not to allow rumors or misconceptions to bias the interviewer's decision (even thought that might technically be illegal).

The most common misperception might be that you are ill or have cancer and are undergoing treatment, and there could be a fear that you will therefore miss work or be an expensive addition to the healthcare plan of the business, which could cause inappropriate bias in their hiring decision. So brief education is in order. If the interview goes really well, and it never comes up otherwise, you might mention in an upbeat, confident, casual way at the end of the interview something like "As we wrap up, I would like to give you a little insight into my baldness. I have a condition called Alopecia, which is not contagious, life-threatening, or painful. The best way to think about it is that my body is allergic to my hair, which causes it to fall out. It's not a condition that will affect my work in any way, and I am open to answering questions. I hope you agree it's what's IN my head, not ON my head, that counts for this job! " This covers all the points of confusion and fear that uneducated people might have (will it cause her time out of work?, can I catch it?, etc.).

You might also be able to address it in the questions they ask. For example, if they ask what kind of a work environment you like, you can talk about how you value an open environment where employees respect and build relationships with each other. You can give an example of a past experience/environment where your coworkers understood your alopecia and it was a non-issue, and you in turn learned about them and respected them as individuals as well (which might mean learning how to work with an introvert, learning how to partner with a coworker who needed flex time to care for family, working with someone from another culture, etc.).

Perhaps there is a humorous way to clue them in before you arrive, for example, when confirming your interview you could say something like "I look forward to meeting you on Thursday. You'll know me when I arrive - I'll be the bald one in the blue blazer." or something like that. :) 

Lastly, if you do any volunteer work with any organizations that are focused on Alopecia, put it on your resume.

Good luck and let us know how it goes. 

Comment by Raya on August 11, 2016 at 11:50am

The truth is that this world is cruel I've never went outside this world without a wig cause I know what and how the world looks at people who go out there without their wig . People don't like seeing a person especially a woman walking around a public place with their bald head cause it scares their clients,customers,kids,co workers. For example I lost my hair when I was in grade 4 the school had a rule about no hats but they let me wear a hat until my parents could buy me a wig but I was bullied a lot in school cause I was bald and for that reason and cause of my family's reputation I would never go out without any make up or my wig. It's your decision do what your heart tells you and not what anyone tells you. Good Luck !

Comment by Susan on August 11, 2016 at 11:55am

No offense to you Pamela.I understand that we are all individuals with different situations and perspectives.

It makes me sad when people hide.

When i wore a wig i was much less confident than i am without it.

I work as a Personal Shopper and Stylist at Neiman Marcus Boston. 

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