Facial Hair

[Italian_Stallion]

I have a long tradition of shaving my goatee before a job interview. In all cases, I grow it back within the first few weeks of landing the job. I realize that there are lots of people with facial hair who aren't called to task for it. I just have this fear that the one person who'll dislike it will be the person doing the hiring. In the morning, I'll have my first job interview in a few years. I'm debating whether to shave off my whiskers. Or, I guess I could leave a strip and die it red...

 

[Tom Petty]

I have a long tradition of shaving my goatee before a job interview. In all cases, I grow it back within the first few weeks of landing the job. I realize that there are lots of people with facial hair who aren't called to task for it. I just have this fear that the one person who'll dislike it will be the person doing the hiring. In the morning, I'll have my first job interview in a few years. I'm debating whether to shave off my whiskers. Or, I guess I could leave a strip and die it red...

i interview with a well-groomed miami vice-like beard, an earring and no tie. i'm not showing anyone something they aren't getting, and i've never interviewed for a job i didn't get.

if anything, i'm too honest ... although it's never come back to bite me in the ass as far as interviews are concerned.

 

[Prince of Persia]

I have a long tradition of shaving my goatee before a job interview. In all cases, I grow it back within the first few weeks of landing the job. I realize that there are lots of people with facial hair who aren't called to task for it. I just have this fear that the one person who'll dislike it will be the person doing the hiring. In the morning, I'll have my first job interview in a few years. I'm debating whether to shave off my whiskers. Or, I guess I could leave a strip and die it red...

i interview with a well-groomed priestly-like beard, an earring and no tie. i'm not showing anyone something they aren't getting, and i've never interviewed for a job i didn't get.

if anything, i'm too honest ... although it's never come back to bite me in the ass as far as interviews are concerned.

An earring, huh? I've always taken mine out. I've got three.

 

[Italian_Stallion]

I'm just glad someone responded to such a stupid thread. I'm that guy who dresses to the nines and shows up at the party to find everyone else wearing jeans and T-shirts. But I learned from an old boss that you really can't be too formal outside of showing up in a tuxedo. I don't think many people say, "Damn, that asshole wore a suit. There's no way we're hiring someone who wears a suit. It's completely disrespectful."

Just to be safe, I've decided to shave my entire body except for my eyebrows. People shave their eyebrows look like they're visiting from Neptune.

 

[Tom Petty]

I have a long tradition of shaving my goatee before a job interview. In all cases, I grow it back within the first few weeks of landing the job. I realize that there are lots of people with facial hair who aren't called to task for it. I just have this fear that the one person who'll dislike it will be the person doing the hiring. In the morning, I'll have my first job interview in a few years. I'm debating whether to shave off my whiskers. Or, I guess I could leave a strip and die it red...

i interview with a well-groomed priestly-like beard, an earring and no tie. i'm not showing anyone something they aren't getting, and i've never interviewed for a job i didn't get.

if anything, i'm too honest ... although it's never come back to bite me in the ass as far as interviews are concerned.

An earring, huh? I've always taken mine out. I've got three.

i only have a single, so it's much easier to say "**** 'em," in all honesty.

 

[thegrifter]

A buddy of mine was told to get his suit pressed for his interview. Better safe than sorry.
I always go suit.

 

[Tom Petty]

I'm just glad someone responded to such a stupid thread. I'm that guy who dresses to the nines and shows up at the party to find everyone else wearing jeans and T-shirts. But I learned from an old boss that you really can't be too formal outside of showing up in a tuxedo. I don't think many people say, "Damn, that asshole wore a suit. There's no way we're hiring someone who wears a suit. It's completely disrespectful."

Just to be safe, I've decided to shave my entire body except for my eyebrows. People shave their eyebrows look like they're visiting from Neptune.

1. this is a great thread ... i can't wait to hear what buck has to say since i believe he'll have a strong opinion on this one.

2. if you look good dressed up and feel comfortable, go with it.

3. don't waste your time with shaving body hair you want rid of. if you really want it gone, wax it.

 

[thegrifter]

This does bring up an interesting question. I always wear a suit for interviews, but rarely in the office.
Thus, what's the point of them seeing me dressed in attire that I never wear at work? Seems kinda silly.

 

[Tom Petty]

A buddy of mine was told to get his suit pressed for his interview. Better safe than sorry.
I always go suit

without being a ****, really, i'm batting 1.000. what are you batting ... for the sake of an argument?

 

[thegrifter]

always got the job if I interviewed. Knock on wood. That being said, I wish I had more interviews.

 

[Overrated]

I'm batting 1.000 as well. I've always gone with nice slacks and a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up...so it looks like I'm ready to get dirty.

 

[ServeItUp]

I'm not batting 1.000 and I always wear a tie. As for facial hair, I go clean-shaven for the interview, then every 7-10 days once I hire on.

 

[fishwrapper]

ITALIAN STALLION:

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

I've never really had a beard -- tried it for about a week in college -- but I had a moustache until my mid-20s and never considered whether I should shave it for a job interview. Usually I'll get a haircut. I've always worn a suit for an interview.

We've had this discussion here before and some people think wearing a suit is silly. I'd much rather err on the slightly overdressed side. My standard interview uniform of traditionally cut navy suit, white shirt, burgundy/navy striped tie, polished black wingtips and either a white pocketsquare or more often no pocketsquare is so generic and inoffensive that I doubt it makes anyone think about it one way or another, which is how I want it. If I'm there for two days, gray suit for the second day. My feeling is that if I keep it basic and professional, I don't have to think about it during or after the interview.

Of course they know I'm not going to wear a suit every day. The editor of the paper probably won't, either. That's not the point. The point is to show respect for the process.

 

[JR]

Frank nails it again.

No one would comment on his attire because it's impeccable without calling attention to itself.

Oh, and just to emphasise one of his points: make sure your shoes are polished.

You can be wearing a $2,000 suit but dirty or scuffed shoes make you look like you just fell off the turnip truck.

 

[BertoltBrecht]

"I mean, seriously, how often do you really look at a mans shoes?" — Red

 

[Breakyoself]

i wear a suit, and i trim my beard to make it look not scruffy. i see no problem with facial hair, and would like to think that would have no bearing on whether i got the job. besides, i know i look good.

 

[HandsomeHarley]

I always shave off the goatee before a job interview. COmpletely clean-shaven.

There's no reason not to, unless you've had it for, like, 20 years or something.

Why risk it?

 

[Diabeetus]

Dress nicely, but whatever you decide on, make it look neat. I think that's the only part people would care about.

 

[mike311gd]

I'm just glad someone responded to such a stupid thread. I'm that guy who dresses to the nines and shows up at the party to find everyone else wearing jeans and T-shirts. But I learned from an old boss that you really can't be too formal outside of showing up in a tuxedo. I don't think many people say, "Damn, that asshole wore a suit. There's no way we're hiring someone who wears a suit. It's completely disrespectful."

Just to be safe, I've decided to shave my entire body except for my eyebrows. People shave their eyebrows look like they're visiting from Neptune.

I'm the same way, my Italian brother. I always wear a three-piece suit with a dark tie, polished shoes and short, gelled hair and a shaved mug. I once cut 6.5 inches of hair off my head before a job interview, and I didn't get the gig. But I think looking your best certainly can't hurt your chances.