Do banks and corporate firms discriminate against people with dreadlocks during hiring processes?

Question

I'm interested in a career in investment banking so right now i'm applying to banks and other investment firms for a job and i have dreadlocks. Will i have to cut it to improve my chances of landing a job?

Answer 1

they won't say it, but yes.  appearance is everything.  you might be able to grow them back AFTER you land the job, but in order to get it, you're going to have to be clean cut.  sorry

Answer 2

cut your hair

Dreadlocks are not appropriate for business in the USA.

Answer 3

White collar job that breeds on conformity, they just started allowing women to wear pant suits in this industry so locs are a no go :-( They will definitely discriminate unless you are going into a more progressive field but do you really want to go into a place that won't accept you for who you are?

Answer 4

Investment banking is a very conservative industry. That means conservative dress, which includes jewelry and hair styles.

   Yes, a haircut would be a big help.

Answer 5

IS IT APPEARANCE OVER PERFORMANCE OR PERFORMANCE OVER APPEARANCE. MAKES YOU WONDER

Answer 6

I'm a 31 year old African American female and I've worked as a Librarian in corporate law firms for the past 8 years. I've always worn my hair natural since I was 18. I’ve had an Afro, dreadlocks, braids and even shaved my head bald once. Now I’ve settled on dreadlocks and I can assure you that there isn't as much discrimination against dreadlocks as people imagine there to be. I’ve seen black men and women with all types of natural hair styles working at all levels at the firm I am at now. It really depends on the how well you maintain your hair no matter what style you choose. Nowadays there are salons that cater to natural hair care for African Americans where you can go to groom your locks so that they look more “presentable.” You should also consider the culture of the particular company you want to work for some are going to be more conservative than others. So if it isn’t your hair they pick up on it might be something else. Your hair has nothing to do with your skills no more than your color or gender so if you feel discriminated against because of your appearance stand up for yourself. But also consider if that is really the type of company you’d want to work for in the first place? Good luck!

Answer 7

If you work in the back office, you may be able to get away with it.  However, if you are going to be in a client facing role then you will most likely have to come up with a more GQ appearance.  

Don't get me wrong, I think dreadlocks are cool but investment banking is mostly about older, conservative, maybe even stuffy types doing business with one another.

I've worked in corporate America for 10+ years in financial services - I never saw any underwriters or brokers with dreadlocks...sorry.  I didn't see too many other hairstyles that strayed from the norm either...think GQ.