Job interviews and Facial hair--Advice wanted

[nip/tug]

Hey guys

so Im currently in business school and looking for interships/jobs to help me start a career in accounting. Im in my 30's (where has the time gone??!!) and have a pretty full beard, having only trimmed it twice in 6 or so months. I do like my beard & get compliments on it all the time, but I am aware that it could be better. My hair grows pretty straight and wiry, not curly and tight like i would prefer, so my beard can get a little bushy. I don't see myself ever shaving it completely (id look like im 12) But as far as job searching goes, what kind of advice is out there for beard grooming? Are clippers necessary for a hardy hedging? are can i get away with some light cleaning up? this is my first professional job so any insight is appreciated, thanks! Oh, i live in the mid west USA, so things arent supper trendy here, but not that uptight either. if that helps.

 

[Redsox]

As long as you don't look scruffy, then it should be OK. Well groomed and presentable would be important to me as a recruiter.

 

[KaraBulut]

It depends on what company and who the interviewer is. If it's a new technology company, they might be more forgiving of a beard or trendy appearance. If it's an older, more conservative company, you probably will want to change to a more groomed appearance overall. If it's a job you really want, then consider an anonymous pre-visit to the company to observe how the people are dressed and whether the guys have beards... and then decide what to do with the beard based upon what most of they guys working at that company are doing.

 

[QueenxElsa]

For professional jobs, best to be very clean cut, and you can pull it off with a beard, just got to be aware of it.

 

[sixthson]

Unless you are interviewing for Duck Dynasty, you might want to at least visit a barber and have it trimmed and shaped. As others have said, it depends on the job and kind of company. 6 months is a long time to go without trimming, isn't it?

 

[QueenxElsa]

It'd help a lot if we have pictures. RIGHT?

 

[Benvolio]

It'd help a lot if we have pictures. RIGHT?

Many interviewers will prefer the clean cut look. Some may tolerate scruffy, but none, I think prefer it. You are likely to be in competition wil clean looking guys. By all means get rid of the beard.