advice for job interview, beard vs shaven

[Mo_coon-catcher]

I'm looking for your alls advice on this. Clean shaven vs having a beard when inverviewing for a job.
My opinion is that it depends on te particular job and if the facial hair is groomed and maintained. My buddy is in the clean shaven camp.
My situation is, I'll be interviewing for a position as a jailer at the local sheriffs department in a few days. I've had a beard for a couple of years now and feel like I keep it maintained well. The guys at the sheriffs department never mentioned anything about it when they told me about the position coming open. And I've talked to them a few times since then without them saying anything. My friend keeps saying it's better to shave it off. I have no problem doing so if it means job or no job, as I need to move onto something better with insurance and retirement programs. But at the same time I don't want to get rid of it if it won't make a difference. I feel as if it keeps me from looking 12 years old. Here's a picture for reference. It'll probably get trimmed up a bit even if I leave it. So what's your alls opinions?

Thanks,
Kyle

[Knoll]

Kyle, even with the hair, your appearance is that of a young man.
Imo, by keeping the hair, you're rolling the dice. I would recommend playing it safe.

GOOD LUCK with the interview!!

[sleek]

From a tactical point, id shave it and cut it short. Especially as a jailer. In hand to hand, your whiskers make a great handhold to pull that pretty face of yours into someone's knee. At least look up their grooming requirments for the position, call another county and ask them if you are still uncertain.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Odds are they have a clean face rule. Various masks have to fit at a moments notice.

[osage outlaw]

I suggest trimming it down short.  If I had a job interview tomorrow I would trim mine down short or even into a goatee no matter what the job position was.  The first impression is very important.  Good luck

[upstatenybowyer]

Fundamentally, the most important thing at a job interview is how you present yourself, not the specifics of your appearance (although appearance does matter).

That said, you do have a young-looking face (as do I so I can relate). I'd go with a very short setting on your beard trimmer and get a nice, clean, military-looking type haircut at a good barber shop.

Best of luck my friend!

[Morgan]

Another vote on shaving. Right, wrong, or indifferent, people make judgements on others about their appearance. Some people like beards, some don’t. You don’t know what the hiring board may think, so don’t risk it. I am in a very stable position, and wear a beard in some form at all times except when I periodically travel to the corporate office in Texas, then I’m clean shaven.
Just my 2 cents.

[Hawkdancer]

Kyle,
I agree with the shave/short trim goatee.  Did you see any other jail personnel with beards?  You will probably look young when you are 50 !
Hawkdancer

[DC]

I don't think you would lose any points for not having a beard and you may lose some for having a beard. Lose the beard. It'll grow back. I had to cut my hair 4 times before the telephone company was happy. From shoulder length to preppy. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet.

[Zuma]

I suggest trimming it down short.  If I had a job interview tomorrow I would trim mine down short or even into a goatee no matter what the job position was.  The first impression is very important.  Good luck

I gotta go with Clint here but--- and I am not switchy-- I like your look in your post quite a lot.
Get the job and then let it grow on THEM.
Zuma

[Mo_coon-catcher]

I'll go with the short for now if that'll get me by before shaving. I'm afraid of my face breaking out or getting a rash or something since it's been a while since I've shaved. I worked at fast food for a couple years where I had to shave. It sort of makes it so you don't want to unless you have to. But I just needed the extra push to do it. I knew I should, but that extra nudge helps. Almost 26, and by tomorrow I'll look like I'm a high school freshman again. I'll have to post up a before and after. Luckily I know everyone there pretty well. I even graduated high school with one of the deputies and my grandmother helped the sheriff with his campaign.

Kyle

[sleek]

Gee what are you worried about then? Good luck tomorrow!

[Hawkdancer]

As the thespians say "Break a leg"!  We're rooting for you.
Hawkdancer

[mullet]

Shave it till you are there for awhile.. I've worked for my company for almost 35 years and have shaved mine at least 10 times. But, to be honest, doubt you will get hired with it for a Sheriff Dept., they tend toward the military cut.

[Knoll]

I liked upstate's idea re the military style haircut.

Glad you're not going in with one of those Schneider-looking bird nests!!