Facial Hair and Interviews

[plzNOCarribbean]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi,
I have always wondered, is it bad to have facial hair during interviews. The reason I ask is that I have a beard, and its not messy or anything like tom hank's beard from cast away but none the less. its a beard. I think it makes me look older and more mature, and I almost feel weird/awkward/like a high school child w/out it. Everytime that I do shave it, people come up to me and say "Man you look so young and different" and man you looked way older before you shaved. Is it unprofessional to have a beard. My dad is ultra conservative and said not to even think about it.....

So is it ok? have any of you had beards for interviews. Obviously it is not a tattoo or an earring but nonetheless, i would really appreciate the input. Thanks!

 

[Dianyla]

I'd say as long as it's relatively well-groomed and manicured, it'll be fine. Better that you be sitting there comfortably, instead of feeling awkwardly exposed and with an odd tan-line.

 

[WNT Signaling]

Hi,
I have always wondered, is it bad to have facial hair during interviews. The reason I ask is that I have a beard, and its not messy or anything like tom hank's beard from cast away but none the less. its a beard. I think it makes me look older and more mature, and I almost feel weird/awkward/like a high school child w/out it. Everytime that I do shave it, people come up to me and say "Man you look so young and different" and man you looked way older before you shaved. Is it unprofessional to have a beard. My dad is ultra conservative and said not to even think about it.....

So is it ok? have any of you had beards for interviews. Obviously it is not a tattoo or an earring but nonetheless, i would really appreciate the input. Thanks!

I wear a well-groomed goatee and had no problems. As long as it's not stuble or some of these awful beards, you should be fine http://www.dyers.org/blog/beards/beard-type-chart/

 

[MexicanDr]

Make sure is nice and trim...Nothing weird like this and you should be fine bro..

 

[Moosecakes]

I lold at "the mighty el insecto" and
"the cop standard"

 

[raab32]

Your startling resemblance to Barack will guide you on this and countless other matters.

 

[Chemdude]

Your startling resemblance to Barack will guide you on this and countless other matters.

 

[ILikeDrugs]

Shaving is stupid friggin stupid. Who the hell thought of that crap? I just trim with clippers with no clip, so I basically end up with stubble which I have all the time. To me, shaving my face makes as much sense as shaving my eyebrows or arms. 👎 I wonder if there will ever come a day where having "clean shaven eyebrows" will be another lame norm.

Keep your beard, bro!

 

[Slack3r]

I rock the permanent 5 o'clock shadow all the time. Shaving gives me gnarly razor burn.

 

[backclipped]

I agree with everything that has been said. I suspect you will have no problem if it is well groomed and you present yourself well. It helps if you know how to wear a suit (many interviewees I met did not)...

I faced a similar dilemma when I interviewed--I am a man and I wear my hair long, about shoulder length. I debated cutting it, talked with my premed advisor about it, but decided to keep it (much to my father's dismay). I wore it in a polished ponytail to interview and was accepted at my top choice regardless.

Good luck!

 

[eldoctor]

I rock the permanent 5 o'clock shadow all the time. Shaving gives me gnarly razor burn.

Not only do I get terrible razor burn, I also feel more comfortable with some stuble. I like to stroke it, which may or may not be weird during the interview, but I would look about 5 years younger without it.

 

[Emikosma]

I like to stroke it, which may or may not be weird during the interview

 

[cfx]

I think it looks fine as long as it's kept neat and relatively short, and is a full/"real" beard...no spotty crustaches.

Ask your parents (or anyone older) how they think it looks on you.

 

[Banana of doom]

u should be good as long as it aint like this.

 

[Longshanks]

I agree with everything that has been said. I suspect you will have no problem if it is well groomed and you present yourself well. It helps if you know how to wear a suit (many interviewees I met did not)...

I faced a similar dilemma when I interviewed--I am a man and I wear my hair long, about shoulder length. I debated cutting it, talked with my premed advisor about it, but decided to keep it (much to my father's dismay). I wore it in a polished ponytail to interview and was accepted at my top choice regardless.

Good luck!

Ew, a pony tail? Really? I can't recommend that for anyone sorry. I used to have long hair, but got rid of it a few years ago, never would dare wearing it in a pony tail. Male pony tails should be left in the 90s and never see the light of day again, they look totally creepy, greasy, and disgusting.

Congrats on the acceptance though.

 

[Web MD]

OP are you a guy or girl? Because that will significantly impact my answer and opinion of you

 

[curvingsealevel]

OP are you a guy or girl? Because that will significantly impact my answer and opinion of you

I lol'ed hard on this one, very epic!

 

[orthomyxo]

Ew, a pony tail? Really? I can't recommend that for anyone sorry. I used to have long hair, but got rid of it a few years ago, never would dare wearing it in a pony tail. Male pony tails should be left in the 90s and never see the light of day again, they look totally creepy, greasy, and disgusting.

Congrats on the acceptance though.

I lol'd. You just tore him out for a paragraph for having a ponytail and then ".........congrats."

 

[Procyon]

I rock the permanent 5 o'clock shadow all the time. Shaving gives me gnarly razor burn.

I tend to get razor burn too, so I try to avoid shaving too often. I have sensitive skin. 🙁

I say keep the beard as long as you look good in it. 🙂

 

[LizzyM]

I know of several interviewers with beards. If it looks good (we're talking about a beard here, not some lame-ass stubble), I think it will be okay for interviews.

The key is always to be well groomed. If you are well-groomed and have a beard, its cool.

 

[uncleruckus]

beards are sexy

 

[docdoc121]

If you lived in Iran, you would have a SPECIFIC hair style, hair color, and beard. No choice in the matter, so no need to worry about interview beards and hair.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/new...atalogue-a-guide-to-religious-hairstyles.html

 

[searun]

Not only do I get terrible razor burn, I also feel more comfortable with some stuble. I like to stroke it, which may or may not be weird during the interview, but I would look about 5 years younger without it.

I recommend that you do not stroke "it" during a med school interview. What you do in the privacy your own home is your personal business.

 

[jvesco22]

I recommend that you do not stroke "it" during a med school interview. What you do in the privacy your own home is your personal business.

 

[WhizoMD]

OP are you a guy or girl? Because that will significantly impact my answer and opinion of you

girls with facial hair may be a new trend:

 

[mfrizzo3]

"The police often question him just because they find him interesting. His beard alone has experienced more than a lesser man's entire body. His blood smells like cologne. He is the most interesting man in the world."

 

[Cleavername]

u should be good as long as it aint like this.

wuts wrong with it huh🙂?

 

[sustentacular]

u should be good as long as it aint like this.

I mean, he can still wear the necklace just trim the beard a bit.

 

[mitchlucker]

What about stretched ears? Leave the plugs in and go like that or take them out and have a hole?

Also, the Rick Ross picture is hilarious, pictures of Lincoln and Washington on his chest ... cool man, inking yourself up for the big bills.

 

[JJMrK]

Shave it. As much as you (and others) think it looks good, there will be at least one adcom member who is too conservative for it. You want to do everything to maximize your chances, and this is one thing that is very easy to control.

 

[The Poet Sings]

I know of several interviewers with beards. If it looks good (we're talking about a beard here, not some lame-ass stubble), I think it will be okay for interviews.

The key is always to be well groomed. If you are well-groomed and have a beard, its cool.

the more i read, the more i love your posts!

 

[Dr McSexy]

I have a goatee. No one mentioned it at the two interviews I had. I've had a goatee for the last 4 years and it would feel really weird if I didn't have it. Just trim it up and do a clean shave in the other areas that morning.

I think about it sometimes that if I were to actually shave my goatee that I would look ridiculous for a week or so with a huge pale spot due to limited sunlight hitting that area for the last 4 years.

 

[jvesco22]

I have a goatee. No one mentioned it at the two interviews I had. I've had a goatee for the last 4 years and it would feel really weird if I didn't have it. Just trim it up and do a clean shave in the other areas that morning.

I think about it sometimes that if I were to actually shave my goatee that I would look ridiculous for a week or so with a huge pale spot due to limited sunlight hitting that area for the last 4 years.

What are they suppose to say, "So tell us about your goatee and how it has influenced you to become a physician?" 😀

Basically, if you're young, don't rock a beard. Only old(er) people can rock one and still come off as professional. A goatee is fine if it looks right. Just like wearing a suit, as long as it is clean cut and fitted, you'll be good to go.