Beards in interviews?

Question

I have had a beard for as long as I can remember. I mean, Im Jewish....I got chest hair when I turned 6.

Anyway, I shaved my beard for my Tuck interview and to be honest, I felt naked. I was like superman without his cape. Are beards REALLY that bad? I am not talking about a ZZ Top Beard or a "who let this lumberjack on campus" beard.....I mean a nice, clean, manly beard.

I am sick of all this facial hair prejudice. It must end.

MattG2185 · Answer

I personally see no problem with it as long as it is fully grown (not scruffy) and well manicured (doesn't like like a bird lives in it).

In consulting we are taught that facial hair is fine...but the "in between" stage is bad and letting it get out of control is bad. Now how you can go from no facial hair to facial hair overnight is still a mystery.

Matt

isa · Answer

In my office, a neatly trimmed beard is considered fine. They do frown upon the santa beard and others of that ilk, as well as the scruffy stage in btwn no beard and beard. I've had to give new hires the "it's not appropriate to show up looking unshaven for many days" speech...always awkward since I'm a girl and can't really empathize to the trials of beard growth. I think a lot of guys use longer vacations as a chance to begin the beard growth

kryzak · Answer

I don't think it's a problem. Many of my classmates seem to have beards forever (well manicured ones) and one (a Sikh) has a full and long beard and turbine. I'm pretty sure they didn't shave it for the interviews.

riverripper · Answer

A sikh wouldnt shave, its a religious thing for them as is the turbine. Beards are religious things for some others too, I dont think anyone would say anything to you because you really risk offending someone without realizing.

There are a few people with beards here, I dont think its much of an issue. Once you are in you can look as much like a homeless guy as you want until you start recruiting. I definitely dont shave everyday and think very few people do. There are a bunch of guys who grew mustaches here for various events...now if you have one of those in an interview it might hurt your chances.

filmcity · Answer

Now, that is some tough job for my Sikh friends, ( carrying a turbine on head is no child's play)

togafoot · Answer

lol.. Yes a turbine on your head could really make you fly

Of course they meant turban

buffdaddy · Answer

Just to add something more. Even if the beard is neatly trimmed, don't go for those elaborately styled Ali-G beards. Keep them conservative.

xerox · Answer

Beards don't matter.

rhyme · Answer

Go for this look.

https://www.sportsftw.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/guido04.jpg

dabots · Answer

just be asian, and not grow any facial hair at all. thats what id do.

FN · Answer

wow..that was some comittment to TUCK...that you shaved your beard...I guess you can write an entire essay on that experience..

Raabend · Answer

Fuqua interview this Saturday.....shaved it again. Im so sad.

stonecold · Answer

Now this is what I call a tough choice for men.

Cesky · Answer

I'm 2/2 in interviews with my beard and honestly shaving it wasn't even a thought that I had. Beards are incredibly mainstream at this point so I have a hard time believing one would be a detriment. In fact, it might make you more memorable!

StratusDonna · Answer

Agreed that beards are in fact way cooler than they have ever been since the days on the loggin' trail! I can't fathom that anyone would mark you down for having a beard-- that being said-- the B school community tends to skew conservative-- but if the beard is you-- then just make sure it is well groomed! Not scragly! But mostly I'd focus on making sure you have good answers to all questions asked.

MBAbot · Answer

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Beards in interviews?

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