Shave for an interview?

zoobizoo

Do people still shave for interviews?

I generally have stubble / a two week old beard.

I have an interview coming up. It's not in a financial services area or legal firm so it's not strict strict type of place.

It's an events / marketing position.

I hate being clean shaven.

afatbollix

Youll be grand. In events they are more worried in your work ethic.

Passenger

These days designer stubble and beards are ubiquitous among working professionals. Be grand.

zoobizoo

Cheers.

Was at an interview for a place a couple of years back and the feedback before second interview was

"shave and close your top button"

Wasn't the place for me....

Passenger

zoobizoo wrote: »

Cheers.

Was at an interview for a place a couple of years back and the feedback before second interview was

"shave and close your top button"

Wasn't the place for me....

Did you have a beard for that or just a stubble?

zoobizoo

Had shaved as tight as I could with an electric shaver (not elecrtirc razor) so it looked like a couple of days stubble.

Wasn't a beard.

Passenger

zoobizoo wrote: »

Had shaved as tight as I could with an electric shaver (not elecrtirc razor) so it looked like a couple of days stubble.

Wasn't a beard.

I suppose that's the awkward "not shaved yet not quiet beard" phase.

zoobizoo

Yep... very awkward.

Brego888

Shave for the interview. Why not maximise your chances of getting a job by doing something so simple for 1 day.

Tiddlypeeps

zoobizoo wrote: »

Cheers.

Was at an interview for a place a couple of years back and the feedback before second interview was

"shave and close your top button"

Wasn't the place for me....

If you know straight off that you won't work for a place that requires you to be clean shaven then not shaving is a good way to filter out the companies that will be that uptight about it.

zoobizoo

Brego888 wrote: »

Shave for the interview. Why not maximise your chances of getting a job by doing something so simple for 1 day.

That's why I came on here.... to see if it was a necessity.

I normally do but I am more comfortable in myself when stubbley / beardy.

The face feels so raw and the skin so tight when I've just shaved regardless of blade / cream / etc

irishgrover

I guess, without being insulting, it also depends on what you look like with stubble/beard. In my head I look like a rugged outdoors manly man. However it was recently pointed out that now that I'm older and a bit heavier than I used to be that I now look more like a fat homeless person. Which is not the best look for me........

zoobizoo

Good point.

I look alright thanks...

Years younger when smooth mind

H3llR4iser

Considering beards and stubbles are in-fashion, I'd say very few and specific employers (and in specific fields) will frown upon one.

That said have it nicely trimmed, neat and with a general "cared-for" look; The line between "fashionable beard" and just looking unkempt is a very fine one - you see a lot of guys thinking they look like an Army General in a 19th century painting, while the actual impression is closer to that of cast away shipwreck survivor with hair going everywhere and different lengths. If in doubt, a quick visit to your barber will probably do the trick - tell them you have an interview and to give you a nice tidy (not a shave!)

uck51js9zml2yt

I was told a story by an army officer.
A new recruit asked his sergeant could he grow a moustache...he was told yes, but on your own time:)

Grow your stubble After you get the job!

ongarboy

A beard will be fine as long as it looks groomed and is not unkempt/untidy. I just secured a financial services role last month wearing a beard so I don't think it worked against me at the interview!! I did slightly trim it beforehand!

Beards are mainstream these days so hiring managers would be foolish to eliminate almost half of an eligible pool of qualified male candidates on something so irrelevant!

Arcade_Tryer

zoobizoo wrote: »

I normally do but I am more comfortable in myself when stubbley / beardy.

The face feels so raw and the skin so tight when I've just shaved regardless of blade / cream / etc

Same here. Shave the night before.

Korat

If you can't wake with enough time to shave for an interview, could you wake in time for work?

shave or not, perception of your responsibilty is the question.

sozbox

Last interview I did I had a beard, so did the hiring manager.

Anyone who thinks facial hair makes a blind bit of difference to our ability to do the job isn't someone you want to work for anyway.

Esel

Maybe just shave your neck and the top of your cheeks?

sozbox

sozbox wrote: »

Last interview I did I had a beard, so did the hiring manager.

Anyone who thinks facial hair makes a blind bit of difference to our ability to do the job isn't someone you want to work for anyway.

If you're working in an office surrounded by colleagues and the customer/public never sees you, sure, your facial hair doesn't matter.

However if you're dealing with customers/clients/PR then you need to look presentable. A lot of guys do not look after their facial hair. I have both long hair and a beard... but they're well groomed. It works fine. Alas, if you look like you just rolled out of bed, or back from a bender, then perhaps a different industry might be best.

The OP mentioned marketing which tends to be very image orientated. Really depends on what type of marketing. If its online stuff, a scruffy look is acceptable. If its marketing for a decent sized firm, you'll want to look good. Professional. Close cut. Until you're a mid-level manager (or have brought in paying clients), then you can appear any way you wish. But as an newcomer... I wouldn't recommend it. They're bound to have plenty of choices.

Boom_Bap

It's something I never pay attention to while interviewing. I want to know how good the person is for the role they are interviewing for.

Thelomen Toblackai

It's one of those things like wearing a suit. It may not be necessary if the employer is more focused on ability and personality. But its best to make every effort to show you're meticulous and keen to make a good impression.

zoobizoo

I went with the shave...

Topper Harley

I second the above. It shows you're willing to put in a bit of effort and ensures you make a good first impression.

Even if you can dazzle them with your experience and qualifications, why risk making a bad first impression and having to claw back that ground.

Topper Harley

zoobizoo wrote: »

I went with the shave...

How did it go?

bucketybuck

I do quite a few interviews.

Its got nothing to do with fashion, its about attitude. If you can't be bothered to put a bit of effort into presenting yourself well at interview, at a time when its really important to make a good impression, then what the hell will you be like if you actually got your foot in the door?

Whether its stubble or a suit or whatever, the detail doesn't matter, whats important is that this guy coming to us asking to be picked ahead of dozens of others couldn't be bothered to do some very simple things, and probably not for any reason other than he didn't want to. That's an attitude we don't want on our payroll. Once you are hired you can grow a beard to your knees for all I care, the beard itself doesn't matter, its the attitude you displayed that mattered.

And this talk of "well if they don't like beards then you didn't want to work for them anyway" is laughably naive.

HONKEY TONK

sozbox wrote: »

Last interview I did I had a beard, so did the hiring manager.

Anyone who thinks facial hair makes a blind bit of difference to our ability to do the job isn't someone you want to work for anyway.

Should what you wear to an interview make a difference?

Raven Runner

With stubble you kinda stuck in a catch 22, if you have a beard and you like having it you can be just as well groomed and look presentable in a shirt and tie, if you like having stubble you could always go with the clean shaven look for your job and let the stubble out at the weekend or when you're not working

kiddums

I would say either a well kept beard or clean shaven. I've gotten jobs with both, but a scruffy beard or stubble don't get me very far at all.

Lex Luthor

I would say if its tidied up, then it would be ok. If its like a birds nest then maybe think about a bit of maintenance

You're obviously going for a job that you want so why put yourself at an advantage before you even open your mouth

B00!

Since they say hiring decisions are made within 15 minutes, making a great first impression is an asset.

If you look best (or most professional) with a shave, then I would go for it to improve my chances.

.........

It sounds and looks like you're not too interested in the job and couldn't be bothered.
Most workplaces don't mind neat stubble, but interviews are different as they don't know how scruffy/non scruffy you normally look.
If you are are interested in the job, why not tidy yourself up and maximise your chances on the day ?