Man to Man #5: Is My Facial Hair Bad for my Professional Life?

[@Basomic]

I barely even recognized him without the stache haha

[@edsnow1526]

My own experience has taught me repeatedly - being clean shaven gives me a clear advantage as a professional man. I am an attorney, and I have experienced this dynamic in job interviews, client relations and with judges and juries. The message is in the receiver, not the sender, and most people are focused on superficial appearances. Being clean shaven creates a better impression on people.

[@Rimber6]

I went on a holiday last year and grew my bread out. When I went back to work it caught fire, but luckely only my beard got burnt. Ever since the incident though people have been calling me burny (instead of bernard) and bullying me in other ways also. I have missed a promotion and my girlfriend left me because of that. Not just that but with a collegue of mine who did get the promotion (an old classmate) and who now is my boss. I wish I didn't grow it. None of the above is true, I made it up.

[@getfok_1067]

Lmao

[@PTExp]

Glad to see Man to Man back on the tube. Keep up the good work!

[@LittleCD]

i hope AOM gets big because we all need the extra manliness in our lives

[@achigurh88]

I was in the boat club for 5 years, straight out of high school. I left the service in 2011 with no real job prospects and that was fine with me. I didn't have a family to support, had some money saved up and was fine with trying to figure out what I wanted to do with myself. I've worked in a few different fields sporting a beard, with the exception of working security at a refinery. That one required me to shave, as it was a uniformed position. All the other positions were fine with my broken razor... Construction, retail, and currently at a part time position doing electrical work while in school. I'm almost done with my degree and I have an interview coming up with one of the most prominent defense contractor's in the nation. I'm going to stick to my gun's with the beard, as I prefer it.

[@jamesharris3734]

I currently have a full beard and mustache at my current corporate job. I have had no problems or issues with my facial hair at any job that I was on. Recently, co workers and clients have been giving positive feedback and compliments on my facial hair. I also keep it neat and trimmed as well. I also feel very confident with my facial hair when I'm wearing suits at my job. This video was really informative. Thanks for posting it. I will be looking forward to more videos like this one. Thanks

[@bgraeler86]

I've been in the Navy for about 9 yeasts now and unfortunately the uniformed service is highly against beards (with the exception of special forces) many get out of the military and grow beards just to have the freedom of not having to shave everyday. I do believe that a clean shave does give a professional look, however I also agree that depending on your line of work a well groomed beard or mustache is a good look.

[@taluntain87]

not just extra but true manliness

[@25inspector]

When I worked in the military and then law enforcement I had no facial hair because it was not allowed for safety reasons (gas mask fit). But since I no longer work in a paramilitary environment I now always have some kind of facial hair.

[@pioneer7777777]

I think another factor is where you live: I live in the Midwest, and during winter beards serve a functional purpose for warmth so beards are much more common during that season. I'm in engineering and beards seem to have mixed acceptance. There is a career fair coming up so I'm considering getting rid of the beard for that since I'm graduating this semester so getting a position is very important.

[@tomfoolery6146]

To add insight, I have a goatie and have had it since high school. The one time I shaved it completely off, every single person said "grow it back!" So, if the beard, stache, or goatie is your look then I say rock it.

[@thebestSteven]

I think it's about cleanliness. Well kept facial hair is fine, but one that isn't will look bad, same as clothes, or your office, anything else like that.

[@1533ramsay]

Bret, you are one step to full beard. You grew the stash. Now let the whole face grow. It winter time, it acceptable.

[@wblakeharris]

Men with beards look friendly. I'm starting a computer tech business and I think my beard only helps to make me look more like I know how to fix computers. Plus my lady loves it and it keeps my face warm.

[@CJFRANKS7]

"What do you think of when you think of Super Mario?" The phrase: Is a me! Mario! XD

[@dcclintonjr]

I've had many different lengths of beard and styles of facial hair since I was 16, and I'm at the point that I don't care what some folks think. Most who think negatively just can't manage to grow a beard that's not patchy (hyperbole, but you get my point). Besides, research shows beards=trustworthy check out the Chronicle of Higher Education's article on the research from 14 Apr 2010.

[@srinivaskari]

If your beard is done stylishly like brad pitt's french beard then its a huge positive. Punchline: if you have a sense of style and can pull off a beard and have the personality and lifestyle to complement it, then a beard is for you.

[@ls1z28chris]

@lnclincoln I did the same thing. I got out of the Marines in 2008. Ever since I've worn a beard. That is until recently. Yesterday I had to go to an industry forum on wireless technology in the Atlanta area in place of class. I had to wear a suit, so I just went ahead and shaved. Boy it felt weird. One guy approached our group and started talking. Towards the end it came out that he thought I was the professor. Enjoy your fun in college, bro. It goes by quickly. Semper Fi.

[@glocksout]

Different types of facial hair offer subconscious hints at trustworthiness. A strong mustache might indicate trustworthiness due to our culture's connection with a lip-warmer and law enforcement or emergency services (especially fire fighters). But a soul-patch might reduce the perceived trustworthiness. A woodsman beard may be perceived as lazy. If your career path is highly competitive, it's probably best to go cleanshaven until you call the shots.

[@Yibble100]

On the East Coast (NY, Phila, etc.) still considered risky. Depends on Corporate culture...

[@Bicyclechris]

You are awesome.

[@SSPspaz]

I have always had some sort of facial hair ever since my senior year in high school (first just a goatee, and now a full beard). For a 2 year period after college however, I was clean shaven because it was demanded of me for a corporate job. I was absolutely miserable and felt naked. Being a corporate-owned conformist robot was, in my mind, the very antithesis of being a man. My beard is part of who I am and I will never again shave it for a job.

[@schwrtzman]

My folks are very much against the idea that someone can advance too far in the federal government with a beard, and since I live in DC, that's a serious issue. I've got a great beard though, and until I run up against resistance, it's staying put.

[@Clueless986]

Just bought your book!!

[@Bicyclechris]

Great stuff. Stay away from moustaches though, they make most men look creepy. Moustaches faded out of style in the 90's, and should be avoided.

[@Shindai]

Was trying to grow a beard a few years back, but during the interview the guy basically said the job was mine but the beard will have to go, so I shaved it to a goatee, and all was well. Another job interview I had more recently after growing my beard for about six months, I'm pretty sure the guy was put off a fair bit by the beard. I didn't get that job. Beards only should affect things if you work with food though, in my opinion .I'd shave for Subway, but not for Asda.

[@azzameentv]

Hit the nail on the head with linking facial hair to the brand. What do you think of when you think of Colonel Sanders? The goatee. What do you think of when you think of the Pringles logo? The mustache! What do you think of when you think of Super Mario? The mustache!

[@TheEgyptianOne]

ur wrong, beards and the trend of stubble started to begin again in the 80's when miami vice kick started the trend again, then it stopped in the 90's and came back in the late 2000's

[@SebbyNilsen]

You look younger without the mustache. :) But you suit the mustache too. :)

[@sanguinecalamus191]

IF I was to shave, how could I make myself look like I'm in my twenties besides working out which I am currently doing? I am too afraid to shave mine off since I don't like the shape of my head.

[@darinfrancom2842]

If your going to do the beard make sure you keep it well trimmed and groomed this oozes "Manliness". On the flip side nothing says slob like a messy unkept beard.

[@nkmac171]

i hope i stays "exclusive" so that when it comes to a job interview it will differ us from the rest

[@maericxelnaga]

I was hired with a beard at my current job. After 2 years I was threatened, that if I didn't shave the beard I up kept on a daily basis, I would be fired. Sadly, I've been clean shaven and job hunting ever since.

[@TheSwineflu03]

I think a man should keep a clean shave on his face. first impressions are everything in the business world and a beard, in my opnion, gives off a laziy signal. Even if it's well trimmed, facial hair is not professional. I mean I'm not saying if a guy walked into my office and wanted a job I would say no because of facial hair. He would just have to work a little bit harder to prove himself to me than a guy who is clean shaven.

[@prolego]

I find if 50% of people like a beard, and 50% of people don't like a beard, then it's better to keep it off and save the hassle

[@MrDude3399]

How about no

[@Glorfindel9357]

The thing I hate about shaving is that I can't see where my jaw is without hair on it.

[@MaliciouslyCompliant]

I'm still a student, so I let it grow at will.

[@philliph.8171]

Seth Godin is the fucking boss. #marketing4lyfe

[@JayMichael999]

@ls1z28chris Semper Fidelis, my friend!

[@markknife1]

Ah yes, the infamous pencil mustache. . . Sad how it started as a necessity then turned into what we now know.

[@Garyvillines]

Work for a jerky company. Have a full beard that goes to my chest. Jerky, beard, manliness. It all works together.

[@themanclaw2]

I shaved my beard once. I literally felt like my face was naked. I never shaved again.

[@alansaladan]

300- odd year history?!?! is it 2076 already?

[@papajohn5656]

There's also the 1970s UNIX beard like that awful Richard Stallman.

[@bgraeler86]

9 years, not yeasts. this is awkward

[@taluntain87]

how do you grow your bread out :D

[@papajohn5656]

@alansaladan America did exist prior to 1776 - it just hadn't rebelled, you know.

[@idkmybffjv]

Thanks for the fucking history lesson. YES OR NO IS IT GOOD FOR BEING SUCCESSFUL! I'M IMPATIENT. Sorry. It's this dumb ass beard. Makes me edgy.