When it comes to the job interview, presentation is everything. The person on the other side of the table knows nothing about you, and seldom even pays your CV any meaningful attention. Which is exactly why nailing that split-second visual impression becomes so vital. Believe it or not, facial hair apparently plays a role in all of this. I know – we were surprised too. That was until recent findings from SEEK shed light on some valuable insights as to the right and wrong ways to approach facial hair in job interviews.
To beard, or not to beard?
“Consider what your beard is saying to prospective employers. A scholarly full beard may convey wisdom and a handlebar moustache can point to a creative and whimsical personality. On the flip side, a wizardly beard might suggest you lack pragmatism, while a trendy, stubble beard can express a lack of care if not well maintained.”
It’s a matter of style.
“Whatever manner of beard you’re boasting, it’s important to ensure your whiskers are well-groomed. Do keep your beard trimmed and styled, and pay your barber a visit the day before your interview if you want to feel extra dapper. Cleanliness extends to your facial hair as much as your interview attire, so keep it combed and tidy before announcing yourself at reception.”
Wear the beard.
“Don’t let the beard wear you. No matter how majestic your beard, you want your skills and experience to be the ultimate focus of your interview. Drawing too much attention to a glorious beard could be distracting to prospective employers. Don’t stroke it during your interview, no matter how intelligent it makes you feel.”
Present yourself as already being one of the team.
“Prospective employers want to be able to imagine you slotting nicely into their team, so make it easy for them by assessing the likelihood of your beard’s acceptance. Yes, your splendid beard is destined to stand out, not blend in, but like other aspects of how you present yourself, it’s important to get a feel for the corporate culture of the organisation and decide if your beard will fit in around other beards in the office. It’s easy to check out the photos of current team members online if you need help identifying this.”
Now, once you’ve nailed the job interview, start considering what Australian women think are the most attractive grooming styles for men.
