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Comment by AnnS on August 11, 2016 at 5:23pm

I don't like my wigs - I mean I LIKE them (I have a Follea for one and two inexpensive others), but I don't like wearing a wig. I do wear one because it's easier than answering questions or getting side glances. I don't pay attention to the looks when I wear scarves - with the right earrings it almost looks intentionally stylish ;D

Comment by Solange De Santis on August 11, 2016 at 5:22pm

All this lovely empowering language is very beautiful and essential, but please, a reality check. I beg of you, Jeannie, analyze the workplace. If you are looking to work at a non-profit, a church, an organic food store, a small local office, a library - then go bald, baby, with confidence and a smile, and possibly a very brief explanation. But if you are looking at  high-profile position in an environment where a bald woman would be a distraction from work and where you can't always control the reaction, just consider wearing hair. I speak from experience and I wish you absolutely the best, whatever you decide.  

Comment by Margo on August 11, 2016 at 3:45pm

I'm so glad I read this post and all the great feedback! I got alopecia (total hair loss w/in 2 months) at age 45 but since I worked in a cleanroom environment full head to toe bunny suit coverage it was an easy transition to scarves and my co-workers saw it happen but we were so used to just seeing eachothers eyes (so the eye brows and eye lashes were more impactful). Anyway, I just recently left my job after 27+ years and now at 54 going out to seek employment again and like Jeannie my alopecia has been one of my main anxieties during not only the interviews but what they will accept on the job. I mostly wear hats and scarves and just don't have the guts to go out without anything.....I REALLY admire those of you that have the confidence to do so! I saw a girl in costco the other day bald and it was obvious she was very confident and beautiful! I'm hoping one day I'll be able to do that. I have a couple of wigs but never got used to wearing them all the time so not comfortable.

So anyway, thank-you Jeannie and all those that gave really good advice that I plan on using for myself!  Be confindent in ourselves and our employment abilities! The support here is great!

Good luck Jeannie and know you are not alone! I know you will cross my mind during my next interview and it will give me strength!

Comment by Susan on August 11, 2016 at 3:34pm

The way people relate to a bald individual,speaks volumes to their intellectual capacity.

lFirst of all,really smart people mind their own business.Really smart people understand that they cannot always assume or judge without hard facts.

Simple minded people judge.

Comment by Susan on August 11, 2016 at 3:24pm

yes because LA is one of the most superficial places in the world and Berkley is very organic and hippy/openminded.

Comment by Keith on August 11, 2016 at 3:07pm

This topic reminds me that it also depends where you are located and how people will receive/perceive you.  A friend of mine was bald due to chemo treatment.  In L.A. women often approached her with the assumption she was going through cancer treatment.  But in Berkeley people thought she was a Buddhist monk.

Comment by Susan on August 11, 2016 at 2:56pm

For an otherwise healthy looking person with a bald head,may not be assumed to have cancer but as a radical norconformist,who just t decided to shave her head.

That perception is met with more insensitivity than the perception of cancer or alopecia.Also because its  highly unlikely that someone will be interviewing for a job while undergoing chemotherapy.

Comment by AnnS on August 11, 2016 at 1:25pm

Other than addressing the big "C" issue, you shouldn't have an issue - you should go in boldly into your interview and be yourself. There's a fashionista out there who is bald (I'm sure she has alopecia although I haven't dived into her profile and posts enough to see) but she works with/is photographed with Mimi G from MimiGStyle.com from time to time. Now, she's a very tall African American woman with a bold sense of style (think bold jewelry, and very fashionable clothing) so she 'wears it well' - so to speak. Put on whatever your 'armor' is. Is that amazing jewelry, an awesome suit? A leather jacket with a stunning pencil skirt? Whatever is YOU, be that you. And, if you must, just go right in and address it soon in the interview "Whew, it's hot out today, I'm usually not this enthusiastic about my autoimmune condition, Alopecia, but today, it's great to not have hair!"

Personally I wear a wig and I don't like my clients to know that I do (although a few know because they are also friends or they see me on the weekend with a scarf or my 'other hair' and I explain what's up at that time.) But everyone approaches this differently. Because I "interview" all the time (every new client is a job interview, right?) this is my approach.

Cancer assumptions can = you can't do the job and will be expensive to insure you, but if you tell them that alopecia is autoimmune and it's affecting your hair only (nevermind your psyche or your body's inflammation, ha!) most are very reassured "oh, well, that's not cancer...so".

Good luck and post when you get the job!

--Ann

Comment by Susan on August 11, 2016 at 12:56pm

Sorry to hear this Raya

Everyones situations are truly different.Too bad people treated the woman that way.

That's ignorance on their part, because no one knows what they will have to deal with in their lives.

Its unfortunate that we live in a society thats so caught up with things like appearance,and other tangible things.Sometimes we never have a chance to work on our insides.

i was at the register one day and  2 boys around the age of 6 or 7, came up to me and started laughing. I looked up, smiled and said "Hi,are you having a nice day?" they nodded yes.

Then i went on to say "Have you read any good books lately? (thinking to myself,the mind is a terrible thing to waste)

Comment by Raya on August 11, 2016 at 12:27pm

Susan I can tell your a very strong beautiful woman but I went shopping one day this woman went bare headed to the store and everyone was starring and the kids were just pointing and asking their parents why is that woman bald? And the parents just felt embarrassed that their kids had no manners. Everyone is different I applaud people who can walk out that door and not give two cents about their appearance and then there are people like me who can't go out the door without her wig cause I work at a day care with kids . And if I went to work without my wig I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have a job. I guess you have to take a lot into consideration about going with or with out a wig.

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