As a VP-level professional with two-foot dreadlocks and a tendency toward wearing flip flops in the office, I couldn’t pass up the temptation to chime in about Ellen Gordon Reeves’s new book, “Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview?”
Fifty years ago, a person would have to be crazy to tell young people entering the job force to be themselves if being true to their style meant flaunting their dyed hair or odd piercing. However, Reeves’s book couldn’t be timelier. In addition to providing invaluable information about networking, crafting a winning résumé and creating an elevator pitch—things we try to impress upon young people daily here at YSN—the new book encourages young people to be themselves and seek out opportunities that make sense for them, which is crucial and all too possible in the 21st century and the age of the internet.
One reason this book stood out to me now more than it might have only one month ago is because, a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending the Anaheim DECA conference for young entrepreneurs and professionals. Somehow, I was mistaken as a suitable career mentor and was asked to talk to graduating high school seniors about pursuing their dreams. A young kid, also with dreadlocks, came up to me between sessions and asked me if I thought having dreadlocks would affect his career possibilities. He was from the South and had obviously been met with some skepticism by potential employers. With only a couple minutes to chat before the next session, I told the young entrepreneur that, if his dreadlocks meant something to him and were part of who he was, he shouldn’t cut them just to please potential employers. “If an employer doesn’t like dreadlocks and dreadlocks are an important part of your identity,” I said, “in the long run, they probably aren’t going to like you and, even if they do, you’ll probably resent them and the job from day one.”
The kid seemed gratified to see that someone else was having some success and staying true to their own style, and was even encouraging him to do so. It was actually a pretty cool moment and one of the better ways for me to be a mentor – staying true to myself in the process. That’s why Reeves’s new book gets two thumb rings up as far as I am concerned. A million people can give career advice, as my mentorship status shows, but a book that encourages people to be themselves in their careers is a breath of fresh air and a perfect guide for young people trying to achieve true happiness in their pursuit of success. It is obviously something that weighs heavily on the mind of creative and unique young superstars and I’m glad this kind of advice is being pushed out through traditional channels. Cheers, Ellen!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Herein lies the problem with mentoring young entrepreneurs: You can’t instill values that don’t exist. Being yourself takes time. It’s an accolade that you earn, whether it’s in your own business or your field.
I haven’t read the aforementioned book, but I do agree that we ( as young business people ) need to feel our way through our organizations. You must always be true to yourself, but you must tread lightly by ‘being yourself’. I would tell young people to do the right thing, think for themselves, and to open their imagination. To tell someone ‘to be yourself’ connotes not following the norm, and unfortunately, we sometimes need to follow rules to get things done properly and to have others follow us.
It is unfortunate Marc that you feel that “being yourself” has to have a negative connotation.
Young or old, entrepreneurs have to at times think out side the box, and that just may be the best thing they can do for the themselves and their business.
By saying that being yourself will tell someone they should be disruptive or lazy, well then obviously that person is not going to go very far anyway.
Yes, I do agree that finding who you really are can take time, I also feel though that the JOURNEY to finding who you are is as rewarding as the end result of being that person.
I have dyed my hair every shade of the rainbow (sometimes all at the same time), yet it never effected how I dealt with situations, people, my determination, drive, and my great work ethic which has helped me to achieve many of my dreams.
I would say to someone that if you don’t already have a great work ethic, get one. Otherwise, yes be yourself and be happy and you will always find what you want in life.