wearing black nail polish in a corporate job inappropriate?

crazybigchick

Basic job interview etiquette as it was explained to me, clear nail polish or pick a subtle TRADITIONAL color, low heals, pantyhose preferred, skirt that hits no higher than the middle of your knee, no cleavage, no visible tattoos or piercings, hair pulled up, small tasteful jewelry, only one pair of earrings, limit the number of rings to one finger on each hand, no perfume, and go easy on the eye liner and lipstick. Your goal is to look polished and put together. You never know who you are going to interview with so it is best to air on the side of being conservative. People will get to see you and hear what you have to say and what you have to offer without being distracted by nail polish.

I still leave in my nose ring, and I have had people make derogatory comments about it and my tattoos that aren't easily covered. It has never been an employer, just some clients and colleagues, but once you have the job their opinions matter big time!

Diyah13

It depends. Is it just plain black? Is it chipped for wearing away? Or did you have some nail art done on them? If it's the last one, nail art, keep it on! If it's anything else, you might want to opt for a different "sedate" color.

TeachTheGirl

Black polish would look so gorgeous with your skin tone. It's sad that you might have to take it off. Maybe try something a little more understated to begin with? Nudes are always style and metallics are just coming into season.

Asharee011

I understand where people are coming from and I know I'd probably just do a clear coat and then paint them back. But it's just horrible how something like the color your nails are painted can change someones view on you so quickly:(

jcstanton

wow, I am dis heartened to heat this. So the color of my nails determines how people will perceive me, WOW. It's just a color on my nails, why should that matter.

Basically i can have all the qualifications in the world and a great personality, but because of the color of my nails i might not get hired..WHAT!!!!! ::jaw drops::

I understand that it SHOULDN'T matter, but the reality is that people make judgements based on appearance all the time whether they realize it or not. I know it's frustrating, but, if you want the job, you're better safe than sorry. I'd take it off and spend the $20 or so to get a basic manicure with a clear coat just to make them look clean and trim.

ZyheeMoongazer

I have to agree with your friend, silly as it may seem. First impressions are huge!

What I am to look like when heading to an interview:

2012asv

yeah, just take it off. Make your fashion-esqu statement AFTER you get hired!
As much as petty things like that shouldn't matter the reality is that they do

good luck!

EnergyYesPlease

I used to do the hiring for my old job and the only thing I would look at is if the nails looked freshly painted and well kept, I could care less about the color itself. But people are so different when it comes to what they look for in a first impression... you could still wear the black nail polish or play it safe and go neutral. It's all up to you and how you fell about it. Good luck on the interview )

MizSaz

Oh, I forgot to mention, best of luck, I'm rooting for you!!

SordidEuphemism

I'm a shaggy, hairy guy with a shaggy, hairy beard and a shaggy, hairy head. I prefer it that way. However, when I interviewed, I trimmed the beard to a 1/4", trimmed the hair down, and given my propensity for curls in Florida weather, made sure it was sprayed in such a way that looked natural but didn't go all wild.

"Not a big deal," some would say. "A good haircut will help with an interview."

They're right. And so will cleaning up the nailpolish. And the piercings. And perfume. And jewelry. And so forth.

Is it about you? Yes. Keep it about you, and not your fashion choices, by eliminating those fashion choices for the interview.

sheila569

I'm in HR and do interviews for a living - for the purposes of the interview, definitely drop the black. Stay neutral, same with your makeup. Less is more. Too much makeup, drastic nail colors, even large earrings are distractions for the inteviewer and can be seen as unprofessional. Remember, you don't get a second chance to make a first impression. Once you get the job you can rock the black but it's not appropriate for interviews.

Good luck!

^^^^^^ THIS

messyinthekitchen

Yes no black nail polish. Nude if you must have a color. If not nicely manicured finer nails with a clear top coat.

julesboots

As a person with a nose piercing and multiple visible tattoos...take it off. It is what it is in the job world and if you want the job you will do what it takes to get it.

I disagree with this - The reason that I pierced my nose was because I was tired of people telling me who I was and who I was supposed to be. I continue to go to job interviews with a little stud in my nose. At one time, I would have changed it but they are so frequent now that it's no longer just a freak status symbol. If I have to change myself to be in a job then I'm not going to be happy there. And to makes things easier, I was an accountant and met with numerous corporate people every day. Unfortunately, things like piercings and dark nail polish have stigmas associated with them and they will always be something that will be a detriment to an interview. Instead of having to totally change yourself, think of the industry you're going into, if you have to compromise yourself too much for a job (and are you okay with doing so?), do you really want it in the first place?

Not sure I'd want to cut myself off this way if I really needed a job. I have a half sleeve tattoo, but I absolutely made sure my interview clothes did not show it. It hasn't compromised me at all; it got me in the door. I'd estimate that 30% of the people I work with have large tattoos, and it's fine to show them, but I definitely wouldn't have been hired if it had been on display during the interview.

Hoppymom

I have to agree with the removal of black nail polish. Sad but corperate types are looking for someone who can play by their rules. I did see a very lovely use of black last week on Pinterest. Gloss black on top and red underneath. Very Christian Laboutaine. Sexy. Again not for an interview. Good luck! :flowerforyou: I have been looking for over a year and had 16 interviews with two in the next week, including one that includes a three day training in Washington, DC. I will be replacing my orange with clear or a French manicure.:sad:

hesn92

not professional

crazybigchick

wow, I am dis heartened to heat this. So the color of my nails determines how people will perceive me, WOW. It's just a color on my nails, why should that matter.

Basically i can have all the qualifications in the world and a great personality, but because of the color of my nails i might not get hired..WHAT!!!!! ::jaw drops::

OK, pick up your jaw and just accept reality.
The one thing you can never say again is that you weren't warned.
Decide where you want to be in life.
Success is always a choice.
I wish you well!

I agree it seems so silly. In the profession I am working hard to get into it is all suits all the time. Now I am the girliest girl possible, why do I want to dress like a man? Why would wearing clothing that has color and accentuates my curvy figure detract from my effectiveness in the courtroom? smh It is just the way it is.

meerkat70

wow, I am dis heartened to heat this. So the color of my nails determines how people will perceive me, WOW. It's just a color on my nails, why should that matter.

Basically i can have all the qualifications in the world and a great personality, but because of the color of my nails i might not get hired..WHAT!!!!! ::jaw drops::

I don't think this is true in all environments. When I hire, I disregard personal appearance (as I am required to do by law). But if I did notice something quirky or interesting about someone's appearance, I certainly wouldn't see it as a negative.

I'm amazed so many people do see it as an issue.

RAWBMEOW

take it off for interview, wear it once you get job

Faye_Anderson

wow, I am dis heartened to heat this. So the color of my nails determines how people will perceive me, WOW. It's just a color on my nails, why should that matter.

Basically i can have all the qualifications in the world and a great personality, but because of the color of my nails i might not get hired..WHAT!!!!! ::jaw drops::

^^ Completely agree with this. The interviewer isn't doing a good job if they are more interested in what colour nail polish you're wearing

Crochetluvr

.So the color of my nails determines how people will perceive me, WOW.

Yes...we all do it and the workplace is not necessarily a place where that goes out the window. Overweight people, older people, people with rings in their noses, tattoos that are very obvious...a lot of this stuff is observed by HR people. You want the job you have to decide of you can conform to their ideal. Or take the chance that the person who interviews you doesnt care.

hesn92

wow, I am dis heartened to heat this. So the color of my nails determines how people will perceive me, WOW. It's just a color on my nails, why should that matter.

Basically i can have all the qualifications in the world and a great personality, but because of the color of my nails i might not get hired..WHAT!!!!! ::jaw drops::

Well. It would also be unprofessional to show up in flip flops. Or in jeans and a tank top. For an interview you should present yourself in the most conservative and professional manner possible. I'm sure some employers wouldn't think twice about your nail color but IMO it's not worth the risk. You can paint them again when you get the job.

kaymac1908

I would go as conservatively and professionally as possible to leave no room for the person (or people) conducting the interview to inappropriately judge you in any way. I know this sounds harsh, but people form initial impressions of who you are based on what you put in writing, what you say during your interview, AND what they SEE in you. While one person might interpret black nail polish as fun, creative and expressive; another person might interpret it as odd, cold, or as an indicator of a dark personality/lifestyle. You have no way of knowing where people are coming from, so I wouldn't leave room for anything to be taken the wrong way.

Another way you can approach it would be to wear the polish and intentionally use it as a prop to describe who you are. At some point you will be asked to give some information about character & personality. You could say something like, "I am fun and expressive. I like to think and do things that are creative. For example, you see my black nail polish. While some people might take it as dark... I see it as a way to show that I am interesting..."

Whatever you decide, best wishes and much success!

bigdawg025

I have to agree with the majority here although, personally, I would love it. However, that doesn't mean the interviewer will. After the fact... sure it won't matter. It's definitely not worth getting all butt hurt and upset over removing it whether it looks good on you or not! That's definitely an immature way of thinking, and that alone could lead you to not get hired (aka stubbornness).

Do you....

1. Want to get the job?

or...

2. Try and prove a point?

This is what you need to decide.

vbmama2012

I tried explaining this to my daughter when she was looking for a job with a pierced lip, pierced tongue and tattoos. I advised her to remove them, and cover her tattoos for interviews. Although we all want to express ourselves in our own ways (I myself have tattoos), they can be perceived differently in a job interview/professional setting, and could make or break the interview. The same holds true for nail polish, style of clothing, etc. It's a fact of life.
I'd remove the black nail polish for the interview, and use a neutral color or clear coat. It's one day, and although it may be your fave color, or it might look nice with your skin tone, your interviewer/prospective new boss might not see it that way.
Best wishes to you! I hope you ROCK that interview!!!

Shrinking_Moody

I would say yes remove it just for the interview. I don't think it's inappropriate once you have the job, but for the interview I would go with a clear polish. Good luck in your interview too!

This. I would play it safe. But once you are in go for it.

RunsOnEspresso

The color doesn't matter as much as if there are chips or some nails without polish etc.

I have interviewed countless people and I don't notice the color (it's summer now and a lot of people are wearing neons, big deal. Black nail polish is now considered chic/sophisticated more so than goth). I notice the chips. If someone comes to an interview with chipped nails it tells me they didn't think that putting the best foot forward, so to speak, is important. Either take it off completely or have it redone. You do not look put together with chipped nail polish.

I would also stay away from nail decorations and the new trend of different colors on each nail. Pick one color, black included, and make sure it is done nicely. It is about looking put together and like you took the time to care, not so much what colors are chosen. Also, no low cut tops, visible tats etc are always good.

I work in a law firm so it's very corporate and business dress. I am the HR dept and hold a BS and MA in HR. I do know a little of what we are talking about here...

WhoTheHellIsBen

I disagree with your friend. I'm in HR and do the hiring.... as long as your nails are well-kept, the color does not matter. Your personality and experience will catch my attention more so than your nail polish preference. GOOD LUCK!

Plain and simple, you have a tattoo on the inside of your wrist, obviously you do not think like most of coporate america nor are you putting yourself in thier shoes

ElizabethRoad

It's not easy to get a job these days. Why take the chance?

spikefoot

I want to say keep it on.... but the thing that sucks is the world doesn't always work that way.

First impressions can be very critical to our success so I would dress within the "dress code" of that company.

I have a big tattoo and I cover it if needed, you feel like a bit of a sell out and like you are being robbed from your "self expression" but there is a time of place for everything.... Having said that tattoos, piercings, black nails and all that stuff is the least of our worries but what can you do?

Best of luck

RunsOnEspresso

I agree it seems so silly. In the profession I am working hard to get into it is all suits all the time. Now I am the girliest girl possible, why do I want to dress like a man? Why would wearing clothing that has color and accentuates my curvy figure detract from my effectiveness in the courtroom? smh It is just the way it is.

I have worked in a courtroom and know many attorneys and you can add color to a suit. Wear a colorful, appropriate shirt under your jacket, wear fun heels. If you are a girly girl, pick a skirt suit. No one says you have to wear pants. There are even some nice colored suits now.

Even working in a conservative, business dress code there is room to express yourself. And besides, once you get a job, you can see what others are wearing and adjust as necessary. Where I work, I've seen attorneys dressed way down and some way up. And they all work for the same company.