Beards and interviews
Discussion
sparks_E39 said:
Hello Kier! Beard is epic, I'd say get it properly shaped.. do you still have the 528i?
Hey Colin. I don't sadly, sold it three years ago to get my motorbike. Missed it so much got another one (manual this time), then had to get rid as seeing my ex 40 miles away and doing 400 miles a week. I now have a crappy 1.2 Corsa 
. deckster said:
It's a fecking beard. You can always grow it back, whereas buggering up the interview because the up-tight interviewer perceives you as scruffy, or lacking the ability or judgement to understand his interpretation of 'neat and tidy' is much harder to recover from.
Firmly in the 'get rid' camp here. Or, of course, as you're currently in the Specials and therefore presumably talk to proper police all the time, you might like to ask somebody who might have a clue rather than a bunch of strangers on the internet
Part of the reason why I made this thread was to get other people's opinions. I've also spoken to a few at the stations and had a mixed response of keep/shave it. Firmly in the 'get rid' camp here. Or, of course, as you're currently in the Specials and therefore presumably talk to proper police all the time, you might like to ask somebody who might have a clue rather than a bunch of strangers on the internet
As a foreigner I don't know how Brits respond to these things, but if I interviewed 10 candidates who all had exactly the same skills and experience - I'd surely pick the one guy who shows a bit of character. This is the kind of thing that sets you apart from the crowd, like 'hey, what ever happened to that guy with the massive beard?'
Trim it to look a bit less rapey - yes. Shave it - definitely not. I'd also cut the hair a bit shorter up front, that fringe thing really adds nothing to your face.
Trim it to look a bit less rapey - yes. Shave it - definitely not. I'd also cut the hair a bit shorter up front, that fringe thing really adds nothing to your face.
Edited by Derish on Friday 20th May 20:18
Derish said:
As a foreigner I don't know how Brits respond to these things, but if I interviewed 10 candidates who all had exactly the same skills and experience - I'd surely pick the one guy who shows a bit of character. This is the kind of thing that sets you apart from the crowd, like 'hey, what ever happened to that guy with the massive beard?'
Trim it to look a bit less rapey - yes. Shave it - definitely not. I'd also cut the hair a bit shorter up front, that fringe thing really adds nothing to your face.
I normally style it, but had just got out the shower Trim it to look a bit less rapey - yes. Shave it - definitely not. I'd also cut the hair a bit shorter up front, that fringe thing really adds nothing to your face.
Edited by Derish on Friday 20th May 20:18
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technodup said:
r just wait until he sees a proper polis with a beard like that. I suspect he may be waiting a while though.
Best man at my wedding had a beard and was a respected PC. Probably a bit neater and more trimmed than that in the OP pic but a full beard.Having said that a relative who retired at Chief Insp rank would never employ anyone with facial hair regarding it as lazy. Completely prejudiced on the matter, no amount of argument that a properly trimmed beard takes as much looking after as a daily shave.
Let's face it, end of a long night shift, unless you only exhibit bum fluff, the stubble starts to look scruffy.
I'd have thought it would be similar to not wearing a tie while operating machinery in case it gets caught, or not having long hair in the army in case someone tries to bugger you. Prevention is better than cure etc.
Giving junkie scum something else to grab hold of, on your face of all places, doesn't strike me as particularly sensible.
And aye, in most interview situations the idea is to conform. If it's for a Shoreditch coffee shop the beard is on point. For the police I'd guess not so much.
Giving junkie scum something else to grab hold of, on your face of all places, doesn't strike me as particularly sensible.
And aye, in most interview situations the idea is to conform. If it's for a Shoreditch coffee shop the beard is on point. For the police I'd guess not so much.
If there is any doubt at all, get rid of it. You started this thread so there is doubt. Get rid of it. I haven't had a clean shave for over 10 years but always trim very close and neatly for an interview, safe in the knowledge any level of beard I want is attainable again by virtue of simply not shaving for an appropriate length of time. I doubt they'd be arsed if you get the gig but for the sake of an interview it is not worth not shaving it.
Agree with above - it is a risk and you want to remove as many risks as possible. Get rid.
If you're a special and well known at the station getting rid of the beard beforehand so that senior officers can see you have got rid of it may play well. It demonstrates that you really want the job and are making an effort.
Good luck
If you're a special and well known at the station getting rid of the beard beforehand so that senior officers can see you have got rid of it may play well. It demonstrates that you really want the job and are making an effort.
Good luck
I think it looks good. But as others have said, if there's even a slight chance that the interviewer could (in the back of their mind) base their decision on it - then why risk it?
Best bet IMO is to remove as much risk as possible, whether it's right or wrong that you should have to, sadly that's how these things often go.
With a bit of luck you'll be able to grow it back in the future if you do get the job. But for now, take it on the chin, and give yourself the best possible shot at he interview.
Best bet IMO is to remove as much risk as possible, whether it's right or wrong that you should have to, sadly that's how these things often go.
With a bit of luck you'll be able to grow it back in the future if you do get the job. But for now, take it on the chin, and give yourself the best possible shot at he interview.
smithyithy said:
I think it looks good. But as others have said, if there's even a slight chance that the interviewer could (in the back of their mind) base their decision on it - then why risk it?
Best bet IMO is to remove as much risk as possible, whether it's right or wrong that you should have to, sadly that's how these things often go.
With a bit of luck you'll be able to grow it back in the future if you do get the job. But for now, take it on the chin, and give yourself the best possible shot at he interview.
Agree. More likely to get a negative reaction than an enthusiastically positive one so remove the risk. Among my generation beards were often viewed a sign of shyness. Can't be the case now as in some areas of London you're the odd one out if you are clean shaven. Best bet IMO is to remove as much risk as possible, whether it's right or wrong that you should have to, sadly that's how these things often go.
With a bit of luck you'll be able to grow it back in the future if you do get the job. But for now, take it on the chin, and give yourself the best possible shot at he interview.
Live your life mate. Bending your appearance, personality, for a job will just make you unhappy in the job and ultimately unhappy about yourself. Life's too short. What's the point?
I have a beard and work externally facing with suppliers. So I represent the (very large) company in my day to day job and meet the execs and directors of companies. The workplace is more global these days. Skills are what matter.
I have a beard and work externally facing with suppliers. So I represent the (very large) company in my day to day job and meet the execs and directors of companies. The workplace is more global these days. Skills are what matter.
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