Beards in a professional setting

The inconsistent growth pattern of your beard means that it's probably not going to look neat and clean, no matter how you trim it. With age, you may find that you can grow a better beard. For now, I'd say scrap it.

Hi guys. I read the thread with interest. I've just recently started to grow a beard and am wondering if you can suggest any good barbers or barbers/ Men's grooming salons that will shape my beard. I'm a 30 year old professional and have never grown a beard before and have currently 3 weeks of untouched (and just easing itchiness!!) growth. I'm based in Melbourne. Any advice/ suggestions would be great.
Cheers.

BTW - I agree with a lot of the thread contributors. Keep it neat and trimmed.

In my opinion, scruff has no place in the office, unless you're the CEO, approaching sixty, and have a full, grandfatherish beard. As a new recruit, you ought to be looking hungry, young and eager to work.

Perhaps, if you go for a more conservative hairstyle, i.e., a bit longer and parted.

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I disagree with alot of comments here. I think if you have a great beard its an ASSET in any industry (except if it involves wearing gas masks). Like that works for sure. You need to keep it trimmed though. I trim mine every few days. Not great pics but good beard examples of me: If it is patchy at any time get rid of it, has to be consistent. Mine is at the border of consistency, so as thick as possible is best. Also, the neck has to be shaved, no if ands or buts. Also, other than in the unkept picture you seem to be able to rock the beard out well!

just to kind of tie this up; I'm keeping it for the time being. I've trimmed it back on whats in those pics, and heavily shaped the chin and jaw area with scissors so it's squarer and contours my face rather than rounding it. the neck is most certainly shaved with a sharp line. It is patchy around the cheeks, but I don't think it's so bad, and if I keep it for another 2-3 years I think it will be quite dark and full around there, given how it has darkened up in the last 1-2 (I'm only 23 as a reference).

On the comment re a more conservative haircut; I've also gone even shorter on top when I trimmed the beard, and think it looks cleaner and neater, but before I start the job at the end of november I will grow it right out so I can do something a touch more classic looking. I spent a good couple of years doing a side part (with clean shaven face) and think it looks fine, but in keeping with the slightly edgier facial hair, and just to try something new, I'm probably going to give a straight back slightly slicked look a go (and probably end up looking massively german with my blonde locks).

and finally, to the negative comment regarding listening to my girlfriends opinion; if I think the beard is every getting in the way of promotions it will go very fast, but in the meantime I've gotten the job by impressing upon people that I'm eminently capable, the very people who will dole out any promotions I receive for at least the next 3 years. So, since the beard isn't hindering me, and given that I still completely wear the pants in the relationship, why wouldn't I listen to her opinion on my looks as a kindness?

While I think your beard looks all right, I find facial hair a little wrong in most professional settings. I also think a beard can make you older, not in a good way.

I'm not sure of the norms down under, but I can tell you in the US a beard on an entry-level (or really any position) corporate employee is wrong, wrong, wrong. Even more so in conservative, client-facing fields such as law, banking and audits.

You just don't see it. When/if you do see a guy sporting a beard, it would be almost impossible to concentrate on anything else.

To your fellow employees, you would be 'the guy with the beard.'

Personally I would have no part of hiring a kid that lacked the sense to come into an interview with a beard. It's just that abnormal (here at least.)

Shave it and count yourself lucky they hired you! Don't listen to the jerkoffs in this thread supporting the beard.

Originally Posted by Pennglock

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I'm not sure of the norms down under, but I can tell you in the US a beard on an entry-level (or really any position) corporate employee is wrong, wrong, wrong. Even more so in conservative, client-facing fields such as law, banking and audits. You just don't see it. When/if you do see a guy sporting a beard, it would be almost impossible to concentrate on anything else. To your fellow employees, you would be 'the guy with the beard.' Personally I would have no part of hiring a kid that lacked the sense to come into an interview with a beard. It's just that abnormal (here at least.) Shave it and count yourself lucky they hired you! Don't listen to the jerkoffs in this thread supporting the beard.
Ahhh yes you are right, your opinion is far superior to mine! After all, I am a jerkoff! Edit: Looking good is important, obviously. If you look better with a beard than without, then it might be a good thing. Also, if you are young and looking older is a good thing (which is often the case in early 20's) then it is a good thing. If you are dealing with people, they like to think you have experience. The clean shaven 21 year old looks like a 21 year old.

While I'm not going to otherwise argue with you, this is a massively exaggerated statement-

When/if you do see a guy sporting a beard, it would be almost impossible to concentrate on anything else.

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original poster - where do you live?

i work for corporate america, but i also work in austin, tx which is known for being a lot more lax about things like facial hair . . . even tattoos.

anyway i go through the same logic as you do when i'm deciding my 'look' - if i'm sporting the beard, i like to have a very clean, haircut like very long on top, but very clean tapered sides, and slicked in a part - almost vintage like.

if my hair is a little shaggier, i'll either be clean shaven or 3 day stubble.

when i'm shaggy and bearded, it looks too messy. when i'm clean shaven and have a clean haircut, i like 19.

Originally Posted by lachlanf

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While I'm not going to otherwise argue with you, this is a massively exaggerated statement-

haha indeed. Perhaps he has a fetish?

I think they look good after a certain age. Young men in beards look like pretenders. Asian and (dot) Indian men also look particularly good with beards.

Was that sarcasm? Asians with beards?