I mean, really - what's up with that? I've been being told lately that maybe the reason I haven't been able to find a job is because of my beard, and that if I shave it off somebody might actually hire me. But that just doesn't make sense, and there are several arguments against it.The first and most persuasive argument is that I've had a beard for the last 20 years. I had it, in goatee form, when I was the director of an art gallery in the late '80s/early '90s. In 1994 I was hired to work at the Dansk Factory Outlet (where I went on to work for the full 11 years of its existence) with that goatee and was actually encouraged to grow it out to a full beard by my manager. And the beard literally got me the job at The Home Depot; Gary Thomaset, the assistant manager who hired me, swore that this gray beard of mine comforted people, that it gave me an aura of maturity and knowledge that put people at ease, these being people who were about to spend exorbitant amounts of money to have all new windows put in their homes, or a really fancy entry system with door, sidelights, and transom. And today at my interview for a floor supervisor position at the local Eastern Mountain Sports store, my interviewer told me that the beard fit right in with the outdoorsy image promoted by the company.
Another argument against the beard being a drawback is that here in New England, and especially in my area of southeastern New England, facial hair on men is pretty standard; it's part of the scenery here, accepted and part of the lifestyle. Just walking around Newport on any given day (and in Providence and Boston on those occasions when I travel up there), I'd have to say that a good 40% to 50% of the men-on-the-street have beards, goatees, muttonchops, and mustaches (and apparently handlebar mustaches are HUGE around here, especially among firemen). I don't count soul patches; those are just the result of shaving with a hangover.
Obviously the equation beard = joblessness falls apart under the evidence. I mean look at this handsome, hirsute fella below, with his air of avuncular kindness and deep wisdom. Wouldn't you hire him?
© 2010 by A. Roy Hilbinger
As yet another bearded wonder, the only drawback I've ever found is that too many adults think it's funny to compare me to Santa Claus. (I get Jerry Garcia comparisons, too, when I wear my reading glasses. I'll take Jerry over Santa any day.) I don't mind it when little kids ask if I'm Santa. In fact, late last January, an adorable little girl (about 3) came in to my part-time retailing job with her father, and as I was ringing up their order, she timidly said "Hi, Santa Claus." She didn't ask, she knew I was Santa. And when they were leaving, she said "Bye, Santa Claus." I'm always nice to the children. The adults are another matter...
ReplyDeleteI'd hire him in a heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteWT shaved his beard just once, about 20 years ago. Our youngest was about two and was terrified of his new smooth father. He immediately grew it back and has had either a full beard or goatee since.
Hey, let's not have anybody dissing beards! I do think what you suggest about regions may well be true--in Idaho, it's the norm for men to have facial hair, tho I had my beard in San Francisco, where they were much less common. As long as it's kept up, I wouldn't think it would be a problem. Good luck with EMS!
ReplyDeleteD without a beard? unthinkable.
ReplyDeleteI just wear mine in the fall/winter months, now. But havin' a beard never kept me from gettin' hired! Methinks 'tis something else...
ReplyDeleteI like the beard. My husband has one (more goatee) and it works for me just fine.
ReplyDeleteThere are jobs and jobs...and I don't see why you would wish to choose a job where something about you is not appreciated.
ReplyDeleteWell, my boss wouldn't hire you. He's an ass, and he wouldn't. He'd see the beard as being too relaxed, too laid back. How can you go for the throat when there's all that hair in the way?
ReplyDelete*Sigh*
I'd have hired you a long time ago!
ReplyDeleteI grew mine 32 years ago because I tended a neighborhood bar and wanted to look older. Now, I'm being told that shaving it off will make me look younger. The problem is that I have no chin. I have to admit, though, that most of the gray resides below my ears.
You probably wouldn't want to work for any company which was bigoted enough to discriminate against employees because of facial hair. I wouldn't want to do business with them. Keep the beard Roy.
ReplyDeleteI don't really like beards or mo's but I don't think it would prevent me from hiring. I haven't got a beard, I'm just old! Now that . . that is a problem.
ReplyDeletenothin wrong with looking like santa claus.
ReplyDeleteHubby has had a beard since he got out of the Army and even then he had a moustache. And he could pass for Santa all the time too. His beard is fairly long and I like short beards. He won't cut it and is being stubborn.
ReplyDeleteYour beard is short compared to his. He does look younger with a shorter beard but he keeps it long because it bugs his boss. And since he is union there is not much his boss can do about it. But it bugs me, and he gets asked if he is my father. Yup, beards can make one look older.
I would say for you to trim it fairly short when going on a job interview and then once you get the job then let it grow. It's not like you didn't have facial hair once they hired you. But if enough people think it is holding you up from getting a job, then just make a decision as to which is more important, having a beard or having a job. It's a choice you and you alone have to make.
Still sending prayers your way.
God bless.