The short and boring answer to this otherwise very important question is – “It depends”. We know that’s a rather unsatisfying answer, but it’s pretty accurate – it depends on the niche the job interview is for, it depends on the guidelines the specific firm does or doesn’t have, and it even depends on the personal preferences of the interviewer which can sway either way.
In other words, to find the answer to the “Should I shave my beard for an interview?” question, you might need to do quite a bit of research. Gone are the simple old days where the best answer for most situations was “Yes, you should shave.” Nowadays, it’s often better not to shave. In fact, sometimes it can even be smart not to trim your beard before certain interviews, although that’s too much of a gamble usually.
Still, what are some of the main considerations regarding beard etiquette you might want to keep in mind? Is shaving a beard really that important for an interview? Let’s take a look:
In which cases should you shave your facial hair for interviews and in which – not?
So, the million dollar question – “Should I shave my beard for a job interview?”
The general rule of thumb is to follow the known and accepted dress and appearance codes of each niche. For example, most corporate job positions, as well as government operations or medical facilities are stricter in their requirements and expect to see clean-shaven men on their interviews.
On the other hand, most companies in the IT sector as well as in the many different artistic niches, don’t care much whether you’ve shaved or not. In fact, a full-grown beard can often be an advantage in these job interviews as it tends to age your face and give it a more experienced look.
But going with just these general notions of the different job niches isn’t enough as they aren’t all that concrete – there are bearded doctors and financial experts as well as clean-shaven IT professionals and artists. So, another smart step to take before the interview is to research the dress and appearance codes of the firm you’re going to apply to – do they have such a thing, what does it say, and so on? Also, it’s a smart idea to research some of the employees and managerial staff in the firm – are any of the men there sporting bushy beards? Are they all clean shaven?
Lastly, take a good look at the CEO or the manager you’ll be working under if you’re hired – is it a he or a she? If it’s a man then is he shaven? Does he have a thin and well-edged stubble? Or is it a large and hearty beard? If it’s a woman then you might have to take a wild guess as while a lot of women love beards, a lot of other women despise them quite strongly.
All in all, the “safe bet”, even today, might still be to shave your beard. While there are plenty of situations where a nice beard can be a plus, there are also lots of others where it can be negative. A clean-shaven face, on the other hand, is the more neutral option. Unless, of course, you really dislike the way you look without a beard.
What are the best beard styles for job interviews?
Prepping your beard for interviews can be a tricky but important process as there are lots of things you can do – from exploring various professional beard styles to just trimming and conditioning your beard in the regular, modest fashion. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular, most effective, as well as safest beard styles you’d want to adhere to when going on a job hunt:
The designer stubble
A well-kept and edged stubble accents the fact that you take good care of your look while still, technically, being a type of beard. It’s acceptable at most places and niches that typically frown upon facial hair, and it still gives you that “manly” look that’s often beneficial. Besides, it’s very easy to maintain so it’s an easy choice.
The Balbo (with or without a Goatee) beard
This very stylish option requires a lot of maintenance and that’s part of the reason why it’s so attractive to both women and employers. Unlike a lot of other beard styles that just look unkempt even when they are not, a Balbo accents the fact that it has required a lot of care. As such, it’s very often a good idea for most workplaces. Besides, because of its complexity, the Balbo is a rare choice among most men so it will help you stand out.
A mustache
An old tried and tested style of facial hair, the mustache is allowed almost everywhere, as long as it doesn’t cover the upper lip. So, even in niches and in companies that have policies against beards, the mustache is usually still a viable option. Of course, not every man’s face can pull off a mustache but nothing stops you from giving it a try. Just remember to maintain it – remove any straggling and fraying, and use beard balm or wax to give your mustache a more shiny and tidy look.
The Van Dyke
This style has a lot of uses – it gives the wearer an intense look they might be looking for if they are applying for a managerial position. Additionally, the Van Dyke can also hide a short chin or help give some contour to an otherwise round face. It too doesn’t fit every man’s face, but if you give it a try you might be pleasantly surprised.
The short, “corporate” beard
This short and well-groomed style is simply a standard beard that’s kept in a good condition and regularly trimmed to a limited length. It allows you to still keep your beard while achieving a tidy and formal, corporate look that’s appreciated in most business companies. It’s still a beard, so if a firm, such as many medical facilities, has strict guidelines against facial hair, this style might not work. However, it’s usually great for the business sector.
