Are beards acceptable in professional environments?

[shekkie75]

I've been having this debate with my wife the last few days.

While I've not been working I totally went Mountain, let the hair and the beard grow in. Tomorrow I have an interview with a company and I trimmed the beard to what I think is a groomed looking length and got my hair cut.

I'm not opposed to shaving the beard for the interview but I'd really rather not, I like the look and would like to maintain it. It's short, I keep it trimmed and shaped evenly and think it would be acceptable.

What do you think, MEEN?

[sinman1974]

As long as it is groomed you should be fine.

[rmm]

i work for a NYSE financial services co, and have had my beard for 4/5 years i've worked here

i'd say it's not only fine, but that if you dont have one, people will assume you're a homosexual

[JSiN-802]

in a wood shop/ cabinet making environment, i'd be surprised if an employee didn't have a beard or goatee.

[mrgerbik03]

A well groomed beard should be no problem

[D-Linquent]

i work for a NYSE financial services co, and have had my beard for 4/5 years i've worked here

i'd say it's not only fine, but that if you dont have one, people will assume you're a homosexual

So, you're telling him to shave...


I don't think it's a problem. People have beards in my office. It's fine as long as you take care of yourself.

[doctor333]

Good luck shekkie.

[Antheddeous]

A well groomed beard should be no problem

+1

[Greitas]

Jesus had a beard.

[mfb2007]

Sort of.

At my firm, you're not allowed to grow facial hair on company time - that's one of the very few restrictions they actually put on us. Now, I can take 2 weeks off of work and not shave and come back and have a beard and as long as I maintain it and keep it nice, its a non-issue. But, I can't decide on a random Monday that I want to grow a beard and just stop shaving.

[leclerk]

Sort of.

At my firm, you're not allowed to grow facial hair on company time - that's one of the very few restrictions they actually put on us. Now, I can take 2 weeks off of work and not shave and come back and have a beard and as long as I maintain it and keep it nice, its a non-issue. But, I can't decide on a random Monday that I want to grow a beard and just stop shaving.

Tell me you're kidding.

[prochargedKOTA]

Since I work in a family owned business I have no input really. But I do want to wish you good luck at your interview Shek.

[DaMiTrOn]

Beards are MAANLY! I say yes!

[tollywoodsju]

I work in a Fortune 500 company HQ and I have a nicely trimmed beard and have had it for the better part of 2 years. There is nothing on the books that says you can't have facial hair in our code of conduct. I do have friends that have the same stipulation as MFB though. They can't be in the 'tweener stage with facial hair. Has to be completely shaven or distinctively grown.

Also, Good Luck with the interview Shek

[twodogs257]

Like the rest above, as long as you keep it groomed, there should be no problem with having one. I've worked a number of corporate jobs at company's like Ruby Tuesdays (accountant), Clayton Homes (internal auditor), EdAmerica (csr) and not one of them had a problem with beards/goatees. There are quite a few disciplines out there like airline pilots, cops, etc that only allow a mustache.....I think in your line of business, you'll be just fine man. Just don't go in looking like Grizzly Adams and you'll do fine. Good luck!

[Bayou-Bangle]

I agree with the rest of the posts as long as it kept clean and trimmed shouldn't have a problem. Working in construction it's either clean shaven jobs or whatever grows goes.

[sniper--dog]

I thought you just got a job? Now your switching again?

[ShadowDarkStorm]

The only issue is the guys that can't really grow a beard. Like everyone says as it looks neat and well groomed you should be fine. Now if you shaved it I wouldn't be surprised if you had a better chance.

[Visegrip117]

I agree with the rest of the posts as long as it kept clean and trimmed shouldn't have a problem. Working in construction it's either clean shaven jobs or whatever grows goes.

Ha Ha aint that the truth.


I say the beard is fine as long as its neat.

[polskatron]

Sort of.

At my firm, you're not allowed to grow facial hair on company time - that's one of the very few restrictions they actually put on us. Now, I can take 2 weeks off of work and not shave and come back and have a beard and as long as I maintain it and keep it nice, its a non-issue. But, I can't decide on a random Monday that I want to grow a beard and just stop shaving.

Same at my workplace. I think it is to avoid the federline look between the shadow and beard look.