Can you go to a job interview with a black eye?

Dealing with a black eye or some other noticeable bruise on your face before a job interview can be stressful.

You might be worried about what interviewers and potential future employers might think of you when they see the injury.

You can go to a job interview with a black eye but it is very likely that you will be asked what happened. It is entirely up to you if you wish to answer truthfully or not.

The interviewer might be concerned about your safety and press the issue, asking if you’re a victim of domestic abuse.

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, don't hesitate to seek help!

• The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: www.ncadv.org
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline: www.thehotline.org

Should you cancel or reschedule a job interview if you have a black eye?

Rescheduling an interview may turn out to be quite tricky as you can’t be sure when the black eye will heal completely.

Such a bruise can take up to a month to heal, depending on the severity of the injury. Asking for a reschedule that is a month from now would probably be quite inconvenient.

If you truly want the job, then don’t cancel the interview. Simply go and take the initiative. You can apologize for appearing with a black eye and mention that you “just had a little accident.” There is no need to go into details.

Meanwhile, consider wearing eyeglasses for your job interview. A thicker frame will minimize the visual effect of the bruise around your eye.

On the other hand, some research suggests that wearing eyeglasses can make you appear more competent and knowledgeable.

What to say to the recruiter if they ask?

Being truthful about your blue eye is entirely up to you. If you play it cool and give the recruiter a reasonable excuse, then it is very likely that they will just accept it and move on with the interview.

Here are a few examples of what you can say:

• You slipped and fell in the bathroom.
• Your child (or the child of a friend) threw an apple at you.
• You played basketball and you took an elbow in your face.
• You played tennis and the ball found your eye.
• You dropped your phone on your face while lying on your bed.
• You were dancing in the club and somebody hit you accidentally.

You say something like “Hey, sorry about the black eye. I know it’s gruesome but I assure you it was an accident.”

Do your best to act confidently and it is very likely that the interview will move past the discussion of your injury.

Should you lie about the reason why you have a black eye?

If the truth behind your blue eye is indeed uncomfortable, then don't feel obliged to be truthful in your response.

After all, this is a personal matter and there is no need to go into detail about it with people you meet professionally.

Still, if you are indeed being abused in any way, please take the time to inform yourself about domestic abuse and seek help!

How to cover a black eye at an interview

Instead of canceling or rescheduling the job interview, do your best to cover the black eye with makeup. Here are your options in case you are not particularly skilled at applying makeup.

• Ask a friend who uses makeup on a regular basis to help you out.
• Book an appointment at a beauty salon where a makeup artist can cover it up.
• Buy makeup and do your best to cover the bruising.

You can purchase a color correction palette from your local drugstore. Go check the makeup section. Get one with multiple colors, not just one with green or red.

My opinion on going to an interview with a black eye

Beyond a general concern about your safety, most interviewers won't have a problem with your black eye if you are able to shrug it off as an accident.

However, there are cases in which a black eye would signal “trouble” for an interviewer.

The black eye may prompt your interviewer to pay close attention to you and look for other signs that may suggest that you are a problematic person.

That is why if you are going to the interview without covering the injury, it would be best to address it yourself and assure the interviewers that you are not a troublesome person. Also, make up for the black eye by dressing up and preparing well for the interview.