Best Professional Beard Styles For An Interview

Is it about time to go to an interview for this important job you really wanna get and you wonder if your beard will be suitable for the situation?

If yes, you are in the right place!

The important day has come. You have found this interesting project and you want to get this job so bad. And now the million-dollar question. “Do I really need to shave my beard for an interview?”

In short, most jobs do not require you to shave your beard for an interview. Those years that you needed to be clean-shaven to look professional have passed irreversibly. In fact, most men do wear beards when they are working. However, if you are going to work in food service, military, or public service jobs you may be asked to shave your beard.

In this article, we will discuss a variety of things regarding looking more professional while wearing a beard, where you can and where you cannot wear a beard, what kind of beard styles to choose for an interview, and much more.

So, let’s get started!

Is It OK to Have A Beard To An Interview?

“Our research suggests that those in a sales or service role, where expertise and trust are crucial to converting sales, would be well-served to grow a beard. Your LinkedIn profile and marketing materials may even benefit from the subtle cue conveyed by donning a beard,”

These are the exact words of Sarah Mittal, assistant professor of Marketing at St. Edward’s University and co-author of the paper “It Grows On You”, published in the Journal of Business Research.

More specifically the five studies conducted on the aforementioned paper show that in many cases facial hair has been linked to the perception of higher expertise and trust.

On top of it, other studies over the years have brought to light that sporting a beard may actually make you appear more confident, reliable, and more intelligent.

However, it shall be kept in mind that many workplaces are still hesitant about their employees having any kind of facial hair, and therefore doing some research on their policy before the upcoming interview is highly recommended.

Clean-Shaven vs. Having a Beard to An Interview

While most workplaces nowadays might be more relaxed on the issue on some occasions you are still not allowed to wear a beard. For instance, in most countries, the police, firefighters, pilots, military men and more cannot grow facial hair.

Maybe only mustaches. But other than the beardstache style (mustache with stubble) growing a long mustache especially without any other facial hair is weird. It doesn’t look good whatsoever.

Moving on.

Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of each facial style choice during the interview process.

Clean-Shaven

Along with black in clothing and red lipstick, clean-shaven is always classic, especially in job interviews. It’s a safe option that fits in for almost every situation and gives the impression of a younger, fresher, more professional, and overall a more put-together look.

In addition, a study by Professor Richard Wiseman of the University of Hertfordshire found that clean-shaven men are perceived as:

• 38% more generous
• 36% more caring
• 51% more cheerful

than their bearded counterparts.

It is also believed those clean-shaven men:

• Are easier to get along with other people
• Show less aggression
• Are more flexible to work, socialise and generally interact  with others. 

Being clean-shaven could mean you’re more likely to be perceived as a person who will integrate better into the work environment, who will stick to the work process and therefore a better match for the position by your potential future employer.

Beards, on the other hand, if not properly groomed may give the impression of a lazy and more aggressive guy.

Last but surely not least, sporting a beardless face is low budget.

Growing a beard tends to require a lot of products to look good.

On the other hand, for an effortlessly well-maintained clean-shaven, everyday, professional look all you need is a suitable razor, some shaving cream, and the proper technique to avoid any skin irritation.

Now let’s see what the other side has to offer!

Having A Beard

As mentioned above in various cases and studies facial hair has been linked to the perception of :

1. Higher expertise
2. Trust
3. Confidence
4. Reliability
5. Intelligence.

Moreover, beards are usually viewed as a sign of:

1. Dominance
2. Power
3. Maturity

The correlation between power and sporting a beard is evident from the way society itself has been empowering and supporting bearded men within social spheres and aspects for ages.

A recent experiment also demonstrated that even though beard sporting men indeed convey a more commanding presence, when smiling, may appear to be more helpful, accepting, and friendly.

On top of everything, it might be slightly more expensive to keep a beard in check but it saves you time from the mundane daily shaving routine before every job interview or going to work.

Another thing I would like to mention here is that especially for jobs that men talk or deal with other people (and women for the most part) having a beard is also an advantage.

According to proven studies, women prefer men with short beard styles to bearded men with very long beards or clean-shaven men.

What Makes A Beard Style Look More Professional

Taking into consideration all of the above and despite the fact that still at some work fields a clean-shaven look is more preferred,  you can still wear your beard, along with your best smile and confidence, to an interview as long as it is well taken care of.

An image speaks a thousand words and a beard kept neat, clean, and tidy transmits an air of utter professionalism and cleanliness.

What is called a “professional beard” is a well-groomed or trimmed and brushed thoroughly on a daily basis (even twice a day if need be) beard, whether it is short, medium, or longer.

To step up the game try applying a beard balm to shape and beard oil for a more shiny and silky smooth appearance. When washing, opt for your favorite scented shampoo, and do not skip conditioning.

For a strictly professional, suitable for an interview look, you might want to avoid any fancy beard jewelry, dying your beard, mostly unnatural colors, and generally, it is recommended you should stay away from anything loud enough to draw your interviewer’s attention. 

5 Most Professional Beard Styles For An Interview

1) Light Stubble

Light stubble rests somewhere between a totally clean-shaven look and a short beard.

More specifically, a beard that is less than 2mm in length can be called a light stubble beard. The light stubble is usually facial hair that is two to three days old counting from the time you last shaved.

This beard style looks very put together and extremely professional. Whatever your hairstyle might be light stubble will most definitely fit perfectly and enhance the features around the jaw, mouth, and cheek area.

2) Heavy Stubble

A 2013 Australian study named it as the most attractive beard length and depending on how fast the hair grows around that area it can visible after three to ten days.

Heavy stubble (very similar to 10-day stubble) needs to be properly trimmed on a regular basis.

To maintain this beard style you will need a beard trimmer to cut your facial hair to 1/8 inch or 4-5mm when it grows more than that.

This is my personal favorite and you will look very professional but also masculine.

3) 5 O’Clock Shadow Beard

I honestly think that if you wear this style, you will very rarely face any problem.

This is the shortest beard style. It is also known as the 1-day beard. (To get a clear idea this means that if you shave your beard with a razor today, the length that your facial hair will have tomorrow at the same time)

Its name is due to the fact that most men used to shave very early in the morning (around 5 o’clock) and thus before doing so they had the 5 o’clock shadow.

It is barely visible (depends on the lighting as well).

This style is for men that hate to be clean-shaven but also can’t grow or are not allowed to grow a beard.

To maintain the 5 o’clock shadow you need to trim your beard with the 1mm guard or even shorter than that if your trimmer allows it. You have to get a trimmer than cuts really precisely and deep.

4. Beard with Taper

With this beard style, the length and thickness of the beard are focused mainly on the jawline area. The sideburns are shorter (fade) and the beard grows longer gradually as it goes down the cheeks.

This is a more stylish and modern beard style but it is still short and simple.

5) Short Goatee Beard

Some of you will say, hey Tasos, goatees are not professional, they look terrible, bla bla bla.

The good news is that all of this is BS.

Goatees have stood the test of time and millions of men wear them daily.

While this style is not my favorite, it is perfect for men that can’t grow thick facial hair on their cheeks, men with many patches, and of course men who prefer goatees.

Again, remember, to not grow a long or pointed goatee. You don’t want your beard to draw attention, you want to impress your future boss with your skills. Gotcha?

Are Stubble Styles Attractive?

We have briefly covered that but I want to make sure you understand this.

Some of us may think that people like our yeard or our 2-year-old beard. Some of you look epic with these super long beards.

Others might have different opinions.

The point is that for the most part when you want to go to an interview do not do extreme stuff. You can go to the interview with a short beard and when you get the job ask them if they allow you to have a longer one.

Play it safe.

Sporting a stubble, either light, medium, or heavy can show dominance and confidence with a sense of professionalism, trust, reliability, maturity, and calmness.

Also, as a side note, a study among 8,500 women showcased that a man with stubble was more attractive than someone with a long beard or a clean-shaven one.

Another study in Australia in 2013 named the longer stubble beard style the most attractive beard style out of them all.

To sum things up, not only are stubble beard styles attractive but also they are the most attractive among all beard styles according to studies.

Best Beard Trimmers For Professionals

Read Also: Best Beard Trimmers Under $30: [Tested Hands-On]

Conclusion-Should You Shave Beard For An Interview?

When you are going to get a new job, you should look and act professionally.

If the job you are going to take is not one of the few exceptions that we mentioned above, feel free to wear a short, simple, and well-groomed beard style.

Impress them with your skills and knowledge. Do not let them judge you by your appearance or your facial hair.

Be confident. Be well-prepared before attending an interview.

Finally, relax. If you have much stress, nothing will go as planned.

And that’s really it for today’s article gentlemen. I really hope I helped you a bit.

Good luck!

Until next time,

Stay safe,

Tasos