What's your take on beards in the business environment?

Question

I'm talking about well maintained beards, not like a hippy bush or anything such as that. Can a person relay a professional image and have a beard? Why is it that they aren't very common?

GMATLA · Answer

Didn't get enough the first time around?

beard-when-interviewing-thoughts-128184.html You know where I stand. Clean shaven is the way to go... beards are good for old guys, hippies, gamers, and guys who live in their moms basement. Groomed beards are for billy mays and Brett Favre. Everyone else, stay clean. Grow the beard once you get the job. This way, no one makes any judgements

pacostacos · Answer

Yea, I remembered that thread but I wanted the opinion post-job acceptance. What's with the stigma?

GMATLA · Answer

Ehh, it's hard to say where the stigma comes from. But think of it this way, if you walked in with a mustache what would people think? If you walked in with a goatee or chops what would people think? If you walked in a with a beard what would people think? Although a beard is the most professional of all of those it still says something about you. You just need to make sure that it says the right things.

I work with a few people that have well groomed beards and never think too much about it. They look perfectly fine and normal. I see others with scruff and question why they don't shave.. are they lazy? There are others with beards that just don't fit on the person. They just look strange with a beard, or the beard has taken over there face. So a lot of times it really just depends on the person, the type of beard, hair color, their age, their industry, etc.

I always just keep thinking back to the one guy that came in for an interview with a well groomed beard, was a nice guy, and all anyone could talk about afterwards was his beard and how he needed to shave it. Something about him just came off as cocky. It was almost like he felt above everyone else. Was it the beard? Or was it personality? Or both? Human nature is hard to describe. So just make sure that your beard and your personality say the right things about you.

The only reason why I say clean shaven is the way is that if you go clean, no one will EVER question a clean shave. I'm conservative by nature, so I dress, shave, haircut, etc... conservatively.

highwyre237 · Answer

eh, I'm a closely shaven bearded guy with black rimmed glasses... I'm a fan of my look, if thats what doesnt get me a job, I doubt I'd want to work for that company...

I know I look like a cross between an IT guy and a hipster... BUT, it's an accurate depiction of myself. As long as you look professional, why would it matter?

highwyre237 · Answer

that you were somewhere in between an 80's porn star and a silent movie villain

goatee - stuck in the 90's
chops - that I'm a civil war reenactor on the weekends, and I take it super seriously

sweet beard, you must really enjoy having hair on your face

AbhiJ · Answer

I gave my 1st job interview with a Goatee. I was not selected. Actually it was a litmus test for me for a company that is open minded. The likes of Google, Apple, Facebook won't care a damn, if you have a beard. Its really about the personality. You must have the personality to go with it. One guy with a goatee was selected by McKinsey and then went to HBS.

GMATLA · Answer

Let me also say, I work in finance/banking, we wear suits... If you're looking at companies that have a more creative aspect or work in creative office space (advertising, entertainment, gaming, technology etc..) a beard is common place. In fact, if you asked my suite neighbors ANYTHING goes. Including colored hair, socks with sandles, and yellow lense glasses. So it has a lot to do with where you work.

But at my office, my buddies give me a hard time if I don't shave for a few days

Usually I'd say go with your gut feeling, but if you are questioning, I world normally err on the side of caution and conservatism. You can't go wrong with that.

rni · Answer

what about long hair?

highwyre237 · Answer

Ha fair enough, and just to be clear, I've worked in the banking industry BUT on the marketing side. Now I work in retail, on the IT side. If I were to wear a suit, or even a tie people would assume I had an interview. So, I guess it depends on what picture you're trying to paint for yourself. I'm not a serious banker, not in the least. I'm a stats nerd who loves consumer behavior. I also dont fit the mold of an IT guy either, but I dont belong there(hence my MBA plans). I'd say I come off creative and confident, and my style is an extension of that. If someone is arrogant, I think it would bleed through beard or not.

I agree, go with your gut... and ask the ladies.

highwyre237 · Answer

It depends. There are many different styles out there... If you mean something like this https://greenobles.com/data_images/demet ... tin-03.jpg or this https://www.rounds.com/blog/wp-content/u ... v-show.jpg or this https://thissongthatsong.com/images/beck2.jpg sure. If you mean long rockstar hair, I doubt it. Long hair falls into the same category as beards though. Some people look good with it, some dont. If a girl has never told you to get a haircut, I'm assuming you look fine. Once again, this is coming from a Marketing/IT guy. Finance may be different

ohsballer · Answer

This is crazy... I've never even thought about it. I have a well groomed goatee, but I look utterly ridiculous w/o it. Matter of fact it was the reason I refused to work for UPS after college. They only let you have a mustache. Silly corporate rules

geometric · Answer

Cultivate that neckbeard, my brother.

westsidah408 · Answer

What would you say about those who keep hair/beard out of religion, e.g. Sikhism?

What's your take on beards in the business environment?

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