Facial hair & interviews

I'm curious about everyone's opinion on this. Is it ok as long as it's trimmed and neatly groomed? Is a mustache ok? Goatee? Jawline? Where do you draw the line personally?

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Bl8ckr0uter

xenodamus wrote: »

I'm curious about everyone's opinion this. Is it ok as long as its trimmed and neatly groomed? Is a mustache ok? Goatee? Jawline? Where do you draw the line personally?

I think it is fine as long as you don't look like captain hook, kimbo slice, or well any of these guys Google Image Result for http://jugsi.com/wp-content/uploads/weird-beard.jpg

veritas_libertas

My facial hair has caused me zero problems.

Paul Boz

I've worn a beard since I was 18, and its well-groomed. I interface with high-level banking executives on a regular basis and I've never had a problem. I wouldn't roll into an interview with a soul patch or a fu man chu but if facial hair is a standard part of your look go with it. Don't change who you are for a job, that's foolish.

networker050184

Personally I keep it clean shaven for an interview. If I were interviewing people I wouldn't have an issue with neatly groomed facial hair though.

laidbackfreak

Over the years I've had all sorts of facial hair, goatee's, stripes, tufts, currently full beard that is trimmed n shaped. Its never caused me a problem as yet.

ps. OT but coincidently my new beard trimmer just arrived lol

BradleyHU

as long as it is neat, you're good money. i know i shave once a week because, i dont need to shave everyday cuz my facial doesnt grow THAT fast, and also i'm not trying to have irritated skin, razor bumps, and ingrowns all the time.

chmorin

It is a bad poll, IMO. I personally shave before an interview, but nearly trimmed facial hair that is beneficial to one demeanor is in no way a bad thing.

jamesleecoleman

Having facial hair has never caused me problems. I just had to make sure it wasn't all crazy like. I've seen some jobs that required no facial hair like in the food industry (GFS).

Aldur

I've always had facial hair and I've never had a problem with it. I have to agree with Paul in regards to doing what you normally do. If I were cleaned shaved before an interview I would feel really awkward.

xenodamus

chmorin wrote: »

It is a bad poll, IMO.

How so? Either you feel that neatly groomed facial hair is acceptable, or you don't. I ask the question because I ran across more than one website that suggested you shave any facial hair before an interview, with the exception of maybe a mustache, and grow it back later.

I personally have facial hair that I groom and trim on a regular basis, so I found the suggestion odd. I don't feel that facial hair should be a strike against you in an interview and wondered how many others feel the same.

Paul Boz

Aldur wrote: »

I've always had facial hair and I've never had a problem with it. I have to agree with Paul in regards to doing what you normally do. If I were cleaned shaved before an interview I would feel really awkward.

You'd also look like a damn slob when you tried to grow your facial hair back

Paul Boz

xenodamus wrote: »

How so? Either you feel that neatly groomed facial hair is acceptable, or you don't. I ask the question because I ran across more than one website that suggested you shave any facial hair before an interview, with the exception of maybe a mustache, and grow it back later.

I personally have facial hair that I groom and trim on a regular basis, so I found the suggestion odd. I don't feel that facial hair should be a strike against you in an interview and wondered how many others feel the same.

I'd say that that article you read is more the exception than the norm. Perhaps if you're looking into a medical field or food service, but I can't think of any reason why well-groomed facial hair would be unacceptable. Perhaps its a mental image thing? If someone walks into an interview and they're middle-aged with a beard its going to age that person visually. On the other hand, I'm 25 and its difficult for someone my age to get support or confidence from executives. Facial hair is used to positively visually age myself.

chmorin

xenodamus wrote: »

How so? Either you feel that neatly groomed facial hair is acceptable, or you don't. I ask the question because I ran across more than one website that suggested you shave any facial hair before an interview, with the exception of maybe a mustache, and grow it back later.

I personally have facial hair that I groom and trim on a regular basis, so I found the suggestion odd. I don't feel that facial hair should be a strike against you in an interview and wondered how many others feel the same.

One option is if I shave, not if I think everyone should shave. That is why it is a bad poll. It could be:

You should have no facial hair.
You can have neatly trimmed facial hair.

But people get the point. I have met many a-people who look worse without facial hair than with.

networker050184

chmorin wrote: »

One option is if I shave, not if I think everyone should shave. That is why it is a bad poll. It could be:

You should have no facial hair.
You can have neatly trimmed facial hair.

But people get the point. I have met many a-people who look worse without facial hair than with.

I was thinking the same thing. I picked the "shave" option because that's what I do, not that I think everyone should.

chmorin

networker050184 wrote: »

I was thinking the same thing. I picked the "shave" option because that's what I do, not that I think everyone should.

See i did the exact opposite haha.

jahsoul

I went into my last interview with a nice trim, but I have freeform locks so I doubt they were looking at my chin hair.

xenodamus

chmorin wrote: »

One option is if I shave, not if I think everyone should shave.

I see. The latter is what I was going for - whether everyone views facial hair as acceptable or not.

chmorin

xenodamus wrote: »

I see. The latter is what I was going for - whether everyone views facial hair as acceptable or not.

Regardless people's replies tell you their opinion. So it does not really matter

I think each individual should be dressed and groomed in a professional demeanor that is unique to themselves. As long as that is accomplished, who cares what is on their face?

luckybob

I personally don't see an issue with groomed facial hair. I have about a 6" goatee that I have had since I was 17. Granted, my wife does take about 3" off if I do go for an interview, but I try to avoid letting her chop it off.

As long as you are presentable, professionally, I think it is OK.

Zartanasaurus

I shave normally. I wish male pattern baldness affected the face and not the scalp.

Hyper-Me

Zartanasaurus wrote: »

I shave normally. I wish male pattern baldness affected the face and not the scalp.

Its almost like this for me. I can not shave for 3 days and all I have is what looks like highschoolers stubble. My dad started going bald pretty young but I havnt yet, so I don't *think* I ended up with that gene, lol.

Paul Boz

I started going bald when I was 16 which may have lead to my beard. Compensating possibly?

Zartanasaurus

Hyper-Me wrote: »

Its almost like this for me. I can not shave for 3 days and all I have is what looks like highschoolers stubble. My dad started going bald pretty young but I havnt yet, so I don't *think* I ended up with that gene, lol.

Is your mom's dad (or your mom) bald? Your dad has nothing to do with it.

forkvoid

Paul Boz wrote: »

On the other hand, I'm 25

Looking over at your list of certs, I suddenly feel like a serious slacker.

ColbyG

I've got a beard, I don't shave it off before an interview. I do make sure to Nair the rest of my face though.

Aldur

Paul Boz wrote: »

You'd also look like a damn slob when you tried to grow your facial hair back

lol, that's so very true. Facial hair tends never to grow back at the same rate all at once.

Aldur

ColbyG wrote: »

I've got a beard, I don't shave it off before an interview. I do make sure to Nair the rest of my face though.

haha, when I first read this I thought it read "I do make sure to Nair the rest of my body". Although not a bad idea

ColbyG

Aldur wrote: »

haha, when I first read this I thought it read "I do make sure to Nair the rest of my body". Although not a bad idea

I thought about that actually. Didn't know if it would get laughs or weird stares.

earweed

ColbyG wrote: »

I've got a beard, I don't shave it off before an interview. I do make sure to Nair the rest of my face though.

So you go with no eyebrows? That might get some stares.

chmorin

ColbyG wrote: »

I thought about that actually. Didn't know if it would get laughs or weird stares.

Thank god I wasn't the only one who was about to ask about that haha