what can you do well??
just act normal, talk normal, dress normal, you know... the usual... if you act like a "dirty hippie", you'll be treated that way.... just be a normal person, that just happens to have 'interesting' hair...

i currently live in the midwest, doing carpet for a living... i go into alot of homes.. and alot of them are right wing conservatives.. once in conversation with them, i'll ask em about how they see me with my hair... they have no issue, if you can believe that... it's actually one of the reasons i did my hair up two years ago... i knew several dreadies, and didnt like the way they were looked at... so i decided to change perceptions....

good luck on the job hunt

Wear a beanie if your worried about it. It depends on your skills, or education level, or are you just goin for min wage? In that case, i would go for like a skate or surf shop, outdoor job maybe. I work at a Gym, we are also a Green Facility, earth friendly, they are wayyyyy cool, and the owners are pretty spiritual, its awsome, at first they asked if i could wear them up or something, but now that they know me they dont seem to care, they're just way fuckin cool, they dont seem to mind that my hands are tattooed either. Pray about it, and the right job will come in your life!!! blessings:)

I'm a server, in a nice little pub. My employers have no problem with my locks, and customers love it. Lot's of people come up to me and want to touch them while I'm working. I know I'm not dirty, and I don't act like a stoner so I find people are more respectful about my hair. And if some place didn't want to hire me because of my sweet hairstyle, that's the kind of place I don't want to be working.

San Diego? Who needs a job in San Diego? Just grab your guitar and play a few songs, bro! You can do well, I hear. Join the busking tribe and you can get info from people in your area.

My job: Self-employed musician. Strings and things that go "thump" in the night (hahaha!). I teach, perform, record, compose, write/review....and provide opportunities for other musicians & music lovers who want to work in the music biz.

BTW: Welcome to tribe!

I'm a lifeguard and swim instructor, and having dreads didn't seem to be a problem (though, I started them after I already had the job).
I asked my supervisor about it, and what her opinion is on that subject. She said it depends on the employer, but if they look taken care of, and if you dress appropriately for your interview (formal/business like, not dirty hippie like) then it shouldn't be a problem when it comes to getting hired.
Maybe tying them back would help....I don't know.
-Gelsi

I'm a special inspector. What knowledge I have in my head is what's valuable, not what I look like. Besides, a lot of people in my office and field are covered in Tattoos and peircings. Some have dreads too.

There are testing inspecting firms ALL OVER San Deigo, Try looking into those - they have some turn over.

Hey you guys! Love your stories! I'm a Nurse. I started my dreads while working in a Private Hospital. I was weary bout it but I've wanted them for years so just went ahead and did it! I really though they would have a problem with them actually, but up until now, NOTHING! Like was mentioned before, I act, dress and 'smell normal' ha ha... and not like a dirty hippie! So I guess that's where one will gain respect? Mwah

I am a programmer/web developer and work at the office/from home/meeting clients. So far nobody has any problems with my dreads.

I am a nurse too (ICU) and I got so much slack that I took my dreads out... Well they are back! I decided that I am great at my job and I can have dreads and still be professional and If that crappy hospital couldn't tell that than I didn't want to work there anyways. I now work agency and make more money...and no-one gives me crap.... so HA to them!

i've mentioned this before and in my experience, it holds water:
if you are qualified for the job, and commuicate effectively with your interviewer, then there is little reason for you not to be hired. you have dreads. it's hair. if your personality says, "i'm competant and can work well in your team" then your hair is just another layer of texture, like the clothes you wear to the interview.
know that there is a stereotype of dreadheads - try not to fall victim to the threat of it.
i've have my dreads for nearly 3 years and have been:
a server/hostess
caterer for pro hockey team
behavior instructor
tutor
afterschool teacher

it's all in how you present yourself. if you look nervous and unsure of how they're reacting to you, it may seem like you aren't confident in your decisions.
you know why you're rockin the dreads. trust yourself. trust your abilities.

peace
n

I just got my dreads nd im lve been looking for a job, im looking into a coffee shop, smothie place or something of that sort!!
somewhere were they wont pee teste as well haha!!!
People had told me not to them because i would nnot be able to get a good job, but you know what i dont want one of those good jobs!!! just a chill one !!! were individualitiesd are accepted!!! Peace and love to all!!

i've had alot of problems finding jobs, but its not because of my dreads. i have 7 facial piercings, and that is the only thing that deters employers. they dont care about my hair, they're too caught up on my face! lol.

Yes I also agree with the above, I am a nurse also and am developing dreads quite rapidly, but have been at the job for a few years now, so everyone knew me before. If they don't like it, you probably don't want to be around them anyways!