Comment by Solange De Santis on August 12, 2016 at 12:01am

Please do. Best of luck.

Comment by BrianH1972 on August 12, 2016 at 1:54am

Very good advice I have learned on here. No employer wants to be discriminatory but they do want to know if a potential hire might be serious ill and missing work. I would simply suggest as others have said that you address it within the context of a posed question. Maybe tell a funny story about it or talk about how you have learned to overcome obstacles due to alopecia, or how you have gained strength and resilience from it. Employers are people. They are often judging not only your credentials but what kind of person they will want to deal with, be around for many hours. Someone who has a strong work ethic, willing to learn and who is pleasant goes a very long way.

I do think this part does matter. I notice your profile pics mostly have you with a wig. If that is where you currently are wit your confidence or comfortableness than I would listen to Pamela and wear it. If however you are like many in here who have accepted and have become more comfortable in public without it than I would say go without. It simply should be determined by where you are with this.

We all know and seen many men who are obsessed with not going bald. Wigs, plugs, combovers and other products consume them. I never have a problem with going bald. I just shaved it.

Comment by AnnS on August 12, 2016 at 8:56am

Jeannie, you will undoubtedly find that they may factor your courage and fortitude into their hiring decision! Good luck and let us know when you get the position.

I do marketing with a salon owner who specializes in wigs and various hair prosthetics. She says some clients need to wear a wig, others do not. Some have one only for "special" occasions, others wear theirs even at home alone. There are a number of teens and young women on this site who wear them all the time; no one sees them without hair. I think to each her (or his) own.

Ann

Comment by SabineTawni on August 12, 2016 at 9:25am

I am with Pamela on this one.  There is no way that I will ever "embrace my alopecia"!  But I do support and admire those who are willing and able to go out without wigs.  I think we all have to find our own way on this journey.

Comment by Solange De Santis on August 12, 2016 at 11:08am

I find it interesting that the discussion has developed into whether one feels comfortable or not with hair or without. I am not ashamed of the way I look. I have gone au naturel everywhere  - on jobs, in public appearances, on television, etc..

However, this particular contract I have now is in the nuclear power industry. We discuss radiological contamination and safety all the time. Do you see why I feel I do not want to present as a bald woman at a conference or presentation in large groups of people, when I don't have an opportunity to explain my condition? Yes, I know there is no direct connection between radiation and hair loss. It's just when I wear hair, there are no questions.

I really value this discussion and all the viewpoints.

Comment by Zimrie on August 12, 2016 at 6:19pm

I've always told them the truth.   On some job applications, they ask you what your limitations are and  other similar things.   I think nothing of telling them I have alopecia.   I tell my co-workers the truth if they start asking questions.   This decreases the embarrassment in case I get my hair piece or scarf pulled off which did happen a few times.  

This also frees them up to tell me if I need to re-do my make up or if my hair piece is  crooked.     

I use my hair piece to avoid being treated like an oddity and a curiosity.    One time, I sat in a staff meeting and told everyone I didn't have hair.   I told them if my make up or my wig is not on right, you can tell me and I won't take offense.   I told them, I don't want a lot of whispering and back biting.  

As far as head covers, I've found some that are really comfortable.   They will protect you from the sun in summer and keep you warm in winter and protect your privacy and dignity at work.  

Comment by Susan on August 12, 2016 at 10:35pm

Solange, thank you for sharing your perspectives.All discussions about any topic can veer off to ideas related to the said topic.For example, a discussion about motherhood and its joys can veer off to the topic of  Stay at home moms and Working moms.And yes, that's a topic that can get heated.

There are some amazing women with alopecia in the media that have inspired me. To name a few:

Alopecia World"s Co Founder Cheryl.

Sheila Bridges

Keren Barak

Abby Asistio

Rachel Fleit

Meghan Sanders

Brittany Myers

Helen Phillips

Judith Jamison

Deedee Bridgewater

Gail Porter

Kayla Martell

Melanie Gaydos

The list goes on. Forgive me for not naming the many others

Comment by Anyanwu Chinyere Oby on August 13, 2016 at 6:05am

Hi sister, God has much in store for you. You are beautiful beyond measure the hair doesn't define you or your intelligence. Go for your interview with or without the wig but be strong to mention it if you have a wig on because AU has no power over you. All the best at your interview

Comment by Susan on August 13, 2016 at 7:43am

Jeannie

I enjoyed reading Keren Barack"s article on the Bald girls do lunch blog. This woman is beautiful,and has a great sense of humor.

Apparently, during an interview, she told the interviewer. "I have an autoimmune condition that caused me to loose my hair,but my head is fine."

The interviewer responded, "i don't care". Keren got the job and worked there for many years. Today they are still good friends.

Comment by HealthCareNavigator on August 13, 2016 at 12:33pm

I wish it were not like this, but there many people afraid ... dare I say terrified of 'different'.  Many of them work in HR and are hiring managers.  They may feel that you are contagious or are going to be absent from work off the bat.  I would wear a wig, get passed my probation and then decide how you would like to address.  At the end of the day you need money to live.  If you know for sure they are a conscious employer then go as you are.

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