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Michael Glenn is Glennlist. Nerd Herder, Geeky IT Recruiter, and Social Media Addict.

Bad Beards and Facial Hair Hiring Trends follow this blog post

posted by on Nov. 25, 2009

In the 70's it was quite common to see men with thick bushy chest hair and a sporty moustache. Today, we are clean, shaven, groomed, waxed, and polished to a shiny gleam.

Hiring managers in Corporate America discriminate against men with moustaches and beards. Now I know a lot of you have some facial hair and you're gonna get pissed after reading this. And Rightfully so. You worked hard to get that Justin Timberlake thin razor cut (aka The Rap Industry Standard).

But listen up my bearded buddies. If you're interviewing for a Lumber Jack job, then keep that full beard that extends to a point.

Or if you're going to be a Roadie for ZZ Top, a long beard is a sure way to get hired.

But if you're Bob in Accounting, growing some mutton chops or a Fuman Chu will likely keep you at home watching the kids as your wife brings home the bacon.

Cut the beard, Sparky. There I said it. Go smooth, clean and shaven Captain James T Kirk look. You need to fit in. You need to do a Power Point presentations without looking like the Unabomber - Ted Kaczynski. And, you need to shave every day.

But if you insist on having facial hair, keep it trimmed and groomed and short enough so that it's not a bird sanctuary. Be smart, look good, and be normal.

 

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10 comments

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  • 2 points 2 months ago

    Speaking of looks and appearance I just listened to Susan Bolyes new album and all I can say is WOW- that woman has talent - real talent!

    I am sure the music executives are all happy right about now.  According to Yahoo News her album debut at #1 with sales hitting 701,000.

    Thank goodness she was not screened by an ATS or a  Recruiter/HM who might of been stuck on key words or "looks" ,"age" or "weight".  It's nice to know that talent still stands on its own.   I am just sayin....

  • 1 point 2 months ago

     

    I agree with Michael completely.  Let's face it, we want to work with people like us (I wouldn't work for a company that would hire me as an employee) and there are times when anyone who is different may be a deciding factor whether intentional or not.  If I feel a beard would be a hindrance in someone getting a job I would let them know and leave it up to them.  Of course since we are all great recruiters here we would already know if that is an issue with the company......right?

    Signed,  

    The bald, fat recruiter with a beard and earring.

  • 1 point 2 months ago

    Seriously? 

    The only reason I have ever had a problem with a candidate with a beard is a position that I hired for many years ago required them to be in a clean room and they wanted clean shaven men for that reason only - a beard cover wouldn't do. 

    I think a well kept beard is very handsome (I'm dating a guy who is bald and has a beard. He is VERY employable) and I can't imagine it ever being a real problem. 

    Now, the guy in the pic above needs to rethink his look.

  • 1 point 2 months ago

    I've never seen anyone wear a blindfold while interviewing a candidate.  People can deny it all they want - but looks absolutely DO matter in an interview.  It shouldn't be that way, but it absolutely is.   Maybe beards, eye / hair color, baldness,  zodiac sign, etc should be added to the 'protected classes' (I'm totally joking - where does it stop?).  That doesn't mean a pierced ZZ Top roadie is doomed forever to the unemployment line, but it does make it that much more difficult for them in corporate America.   Now that the truth has been said (looks DO matter),  does anyone know how to get rid of birds in a beard?

  • 1 point 2 months ago

    Oh, how I hope this discussion has legs and gets alot of comments. I would love some good laughter during the day.

    For you Family Guy viewers - remember when Peter grows a beard and 3 birds nest in it??

    Next time we interview a bearded man, I'm bringing Victor in to assess their personality based on their beard.

  • 1 point 2 months ago

    I am certain that facial hair means that you can't do the job correctly.  I think that means that if you have blue eyes you are no longer a candidate for a corporate job, or is it green eyes, and no blondes (all the blonde jokes are true aren't they?) and if you are too short or too tall or (add your own prejudice here).

    Give me a break!

     

  • 1 point 2 months ago

    Remember Dan Fouts the QB for the Chargers. He had a beard. After his career ended in NFL, he was an NFL commentator. He forever has to wear a beard now. He can't shave it, it's his trademark.

    Victor - you have a "brand" and identity. And yes, it's your Beard. You are an exception to this rule. If you shaved your beard (after 20 years). People would think you are about to  run from the law.

    I'm noticing a lot of the scruffy younger guys trying to sport a thick one in the halls of Corporate America.

  • 1 point 2 months ago

    This string has all the markings of being very entertaining.  That being said, Michael's pragmatic approach warrants discussion.

    How much DO looks matter?  Let's be for real here...

    "Appearances are a glimpse of the unseen." ~ Aeschylus
    Source: Siege of Thebes

    ******

    Our goal is to save you time and help you succeed.

     

     

  • 1 point 2 months ago

    Michael,

    I would like to be the first to say that "You are nuts!" if you think I'm going to shave my beard for a job. I'm not planning on working for H. Ross Perot anytime soon. By the way it is 2009 not 1979. Please don't tell me you believe someone who is sporting a well trimmed beard would be less likely to land a position than someone who is clean shaven. I am 45 years old and have been happily wearing and grooming my beard for 20+ years. I don't look like a roadie for ZZ Top, nor the unabomber. I keep myself neat and clean. I have had this beard since I retired from military service. Now having said that, I will say you that you can tell a lot about a person by their beard. It is more than a fashion statement, it is an extention of their self esteem and personality. A neat, clean, and well kept beard tells me that the person cares about their appearance, and would probably keep their area clean and neat. As a hiring manager, I would have no problem hiring a person with a beard. I do agree with your last paragraph. I would be more inclined to not hire someone if they had multiple piercings. I wouldn't want them to be electrocuted. Maybe that should be your next topic.

  • 1 point 2 months ago

    As a recruiter, the whole facial hair thing has never bothered me, at all.  But I know that some people do get hung up on it ("they look different from us...therefore we can't let them into our herd!").

    While I'm fine with facial hair, what do tend to make me wonder about a candidate are the more extreme visual statements of visible piercings and tattoos.  As it relates to job seeking, those people do generate more of a "what the heck were they thinking?!" immediate response from me.