Clean shaven for an interview?

[Sammo123]

Morning

I've got a few jobs interviews this week and wanted to know if your still expected to be clean shaven? I always keep a neatly trimmed short beard as clean shaving brings my face out in a rash and makes it unbelievably sore!

Will it go against me if I have a beard or are companies not fussed these days as long as you look smart?

Cheers

Sammo

[ILoveMondeo]

In my opinion a beard is fine, "designer stubble" is not.

Now there's a fine line between a short trimmed beard and but I would say that this



Is not a beard

[Sammo123]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

Shave.

I will shave if it comes to it but my thinking is, who would you rather have sat in front of you? A guy with a neatly trimmed badger on his face or a guy with a nasty rash on his face that he can't stop itching.

[speed_monkey]

Why dont you shave properly

- Exfoliate the skin
- Hot towel to open the pores
- Shaving oil applied
- Decent shaving cream/ soap
- Fresh razor (I prefer my straight razor but a lot wont try it)
- Rinse/ splash the face with water as cold as you can handle (I like ice water personally)
- Pat the skin (dont rub) dry
- Decent aftershave balm

If you shave well, you can shave the night before and this will give your face a chance to heal and calm down.

Like you i have very sensitive skin, but the above always works.

Edited by speed_monkey on Tuesday 12th February 11:05

[Pothole]

'companies' extremely rarely have a policy on it.

Interviewers, most of whom have no training, can apparently be prone to put personal views on facial hair, (& weight, height, ethnicity, gender and any other differentiating factor you can think of) ahead of their judgement of a candidate's ability to meet the requirements of the role, when judging said candidate.

I never shave my beard off for interviews. I have not been successful at the last 3. None of the (paltry and frankly pathetic) feedback I have received has specifically cited facial hair as a reason for my lack of success.

I am sure the above hasn't helped at all.

Good luck in your interview!

[ILoveMondeo]

Sammo123 said:

I will shave if it comes to it but my thinking is, who would you rather have sat in front of you? A guy with a neatly trimmed badger on his face or a guy with a nasty rash on his face that he can't stop itching.

It would probably help to know what you're applying for by the way, if it's a bin man or brick layer I doubt anyone will care about your face fuzz.

In the white collar world generally beards are regarded as scruffy, neatly trimmed or not, yes there will be exceptions but for the most part you'd be safest to shave. Post a photo of your neatly trimmed wonder if you want more opinions!

Good luck with the interview.

[simoid]

I've generally got a bit of a beard, trimmed unless I've had an extended period of "can't be botheredness".

I feel better if I'm clean shaven for an interview, though. Kind of feel more like I've made an effort, if that makes sense.

I've never shaved on the morning of one mind, in case I get a snick and it doesn't have any time to recover and I'm a bleeding mess.

I'd say shave.

[Pothole]

ILoveMondeo said:

In the white collar world generally beards are regarded as scruffy, neatly trimmed or not,

Here's a prime example of the errant stupidity and herd mentality of the world of employment. WTF has facial hair got to do with competence?

You're only the messenger, this is not a personal attack, no need to return fire!

[simoid]

Pothole said:

ILoveMondeo said:

In the white collar world generally beards are regarded as scruffy, neatly trimmed or not,

Here's a prime example of the errant stupidity and herd mentality of the world of employment. WTF has facial hair got to do with competence?

Who said competence?

[Pothole]

simoid said:

Pothole said:

ILoveMondeo said:

In the white collar world generally beards are regarded as scruffy, neatly trimmed or not,

Here's a prime example of the errant stupidity and herd mentality of the world of employment. WTF has facial hair got to do with competence?

Who said competence?

So what extrapolation do you make from scruffy? Appearance should have absolutely no bearing on most roles.

[GadgeS3C]

I had a manager that had facial hair. She was crap.

QED.

[simoid]

Pothole said:

simoid said:

Pothole said:

ILoveMondeo said:

In the white collar world generally beards are regarded as scruffy, neatly trimmed or not,

Here's a prime example of the errant stupidity and herd mentality of the world of employment. WTF has facial hair got to do with competence?

Who said competence?

So what extrapolation do you make from scruffy?

Scruffy is scruffy. If his beard is scruffy, he'll look scruffy.

Pothole said:

Appearance should have absolutely no bearing on most roles.

I fear you may be falling into an argument that doesn't exist.

We all hope that if the OP is the most competent for the job, he'll get it.

The question is: are his chances improved by having what some may see as a scruffy beard?

AKA "Clean shaven for an interview?"

[Pothole]

simoid said:

Pothole said:

simoid said:

Pothole said:

ILoveMondeo said:

In the white collar world generally beards are regarded as scruffy, neatly trimmed or not,

Here's a prime example of the errant stupidity and herd mentality of the world of employment. WTF has facial hair got to do with competence?

Who said competence?

So what extrapolation do you make from scruffy?

Scruffy is scruffy. If his beard is scruffy, he'll look scruffy.

Pothole said:

Appearance should have absolutely no bearing on most roles.

I fear you may be falling into an argument that doesn't exist.

We all hope that if the OP is the most competent for the job, he'll get it.

The question is: are his chances improved by having what some may see as a scruffy beard?

AKA "Clean shaven for an interview?"

Sad that it has to be that way, though. We have discrimination laws specifically so people are judged on their merits but it still doesn't happen.

[simoid]

The nature of society is difficult to change.

Not suggesting all beards are scruffy, or everyone should shave and have a number 2 haircut, and turn up to interviews with a dark suit, black shoes, a double cuffed shirt and a purple tie, or anything but...

Look scruffy and people will subconsciously judge you on that. "In interview situations it could well be a disadvantage" appears to be a broad PH consensus.

[Rutter]

I'd go with what makes you most comfortable so you can relax and not worry about whether you have a rash or whatever, dress as smart as possible of course but if you think you look your smartest with a bit of fuzz then do so!

[simoid]

[MagicalTrevor]

I never shave for interviews anymore. I normally have facial hair (sometimes even as much as a beard) so I don't see why I should shave when I'd never turn up to work looking like that. I do, however, trim my beard with clippers for an interview, just to tidy things up.

[MysteryLemon]

Totally depends on the job I think.

I think if you normally clean shave then there is no reason not to for an interview... Having a few days of stubble looks untidy compared to clean shaven.

If you have a beard all of the time and just trim it when needed then no. Do not shave it off. Any interviewer or company that doesn't hire you because you have facial hair is not one worth getting involved in.

[V8mate]

MysteryLemon said:

Totally depends on the job I think.

This.

So much opinion given; so little detail on which to base it.

[simoid]

MysteryLemon said:

Any interviewer or company that doesn't hire you because you have facial hair is not one worth getting involved in.

That's a bit of a catch-all statement that frankly, doesn't catch all.