Beard okay for 1L interview? Forum

(On Campus Interviews, Summer Associate positions, Firm Reviews, Tips, ...)
Forum rules
Anonymous Posting

Anonymous posting is only appropriate when you are revealing sensitive employment related information about a firm, job, etc. You may anonymously respond on topic to these threads. Unacceptable uses include: harassing another user, joking around, testing the feature, or other things that are more appropriate in the lounge.

Failure to follow these rules will get you outed, warned, or banned.
BarCliff

New
Posts: 92
Joined: Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:57 pm

Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by BarCliff » Sat Jan 15, 2011 9:52 am

I've had a beard since freshman year of college. I keep it trimmed and clean looking. I hear from everyone that I look better with it.

Would it be seen as unprofessional to sport it to a callback? I went to the firms site and very few people have facial hair, and those that have it were partners

A&O

Bronze
Posts: 347
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 11:08 am

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by A&O » Sat Jan 15, 2011 10:16 am

Facial hair is fine if you, as you say, keep it trimmed and clean.

User avatar
Rand M.

Silver
Posts: 757
Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2009 8:24 am

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by Rand M. » Sat Jan 15, 2011 10:48 am

BarCliff wrote:I went to the firms site and very few people have facial hair, and those that have it were partners
It's probably safer to take your cues from there rather than an internet message board. If you're that attached to it, then keep it and incur whatever small risk is associated. If you're not attached to it, then hack it and be on the safe side.

A&O

Bronze
Posts: 347
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 11:08 am

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by A&O » Sat Jan 15, 2011 10:50 am

It's probably safer to take your cues from there rather than an internet message board.
You can say that about everything posted here. But, the point of the internet message board is to convey relevant experiences. Everyone I know with a beard did fine.

Oracl3

New
Posts: 39
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2011 4:57 pm

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by Oracl3 » Sat Jan 15, 2011 11:17 am

no beard.

Want to continue reading?

Register now to search topics and post comments!

Absolutely FREE!


User avatar
1evilo.aihpos

New
Posts: 63
Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2011 4:37 am

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by 1evilo.aihpos » Sat Jan 15, 2011 11:50 am

shave

Black-Blue

Bronze
Posts: 279
Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:46 pm

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by Black-Blue » Sat Jan 15, 2011 1:01 pm

yes beard

especially if shaving makes you look like a babyface.

User avatar
Icculus

Silver
Posts: 1410
Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2010 12:02 am

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by Icculus » Sat Jan 15, 2011 1:05 pm

Do you look like either a hippy or terrorist? Shave it.

If not, keep it, and keep it clean. While I have no experience in legal interviews, I have been working for the last eight years and have been on several interview committees and I don't think well kept facial hair has ever been a problem.

User avatar
romothesavior

Diamond
Posts: 14692
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:29 pm

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by romothesavior » Sat Jan 15, 2011 1:33 pm

Even if the odds of it negatively affecting you are small, why take the risk? More than ever, legal hiring decisions are being made around the margins. So many qualified law students for so few spots, and the smallest things can matter. Will a well trimmed beard likely have any affect? No. But the fact is that it could, and it is within your control to guard against it, so shave it.

And what's more, I don't think I've ever seen a young firm associate with facial hair.

Want to continue reading?

Register for access!

Did I mention it was FREE ?


LogosEther

Bronze
Posts: 123
Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2009 2:43 am

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by LogosEther » Sat Jan 15, 2011 1:45 pm

Agree with romo. I was wondering the same thing because I'm in your same situation and I concluded that I'd rather just get rid of it. Also, think about it this way... If you don't get the job for reasons completely separate from your beard, you'll never know that, and you'll still wonder if your beard was a factor. That would suck.

User avatar
A'nold

Gold
Posts: 3617
Joined: Sat Oct 04, 2008 9:07 pm

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by A'nold » Sat Jan 15, 2011 1:56 pm

I was in the same situation my 1L year. No one there had a beard. I shaved but I looked like crap. I got the job.

User avatar
Kohinoor

Gold
Posts: 2641
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 5:51 pm

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by Kohinoor » Sat Jan 15, 2011 1:59 pm

BarCliff wrote:I've had a beard since freshman year of college. I keep it trimmed and clean looking. I hear from everyone that I look better with it.

Would it be seen as unprofessional to sport it to a callback? I went to the firms site and very few people have facial hair, and those that have it were partners
Depends on the firm culture. I would shave it personally since in my experience in the professional world, there are people/groups who absolutely view it as unprofessional.

plum

Bronze
Posts: 291
Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2010 2:21 pm

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by plum » Sat Jan 15, 2011 2:08 pm

what if he shaves it for the interview but then gets it back once he starts working there? is this sort of switch-and-bait allowed? how would it be dealt with...

Register now!

Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.

It's still FREE!



User avatar
theavrock

Silver
Posts: 601
Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:52 pm

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by theavrock » Sat Jan 15, 2011 2:11 pm


User avatar
Patriot1208

Platinum
Posts: 7023
Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 11:28 am

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by Patriot1208 » Sat Jan 15, 2011 2:13 pm

Don't take the chance, shave. Every recruiter will tell you this.

User avatar
let/them/eat/cake

Silver
Posts: 595
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:20 pm

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by let/them/eat/cake » Sat Jan 15, 2011 2:28 pm

Do you have work experience?

Do you look like an infant without it?

You see what i'm getting at. If no/yes, i'd say leave it if it's clean and you actually look better with it. Adds some gravitas, imho.

Get unlimited access to all forums and topics

Register now!

I'm pretty sure I told you it's FREE...


A&O

Bronze
Posts: 347
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 11:08 am

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by A&O » Sat Jan 15, 2011 2:32 pm

Have a beard. Had it during 2L OCI. Interviewers and recruiters even complimented me. Had it during the summer. Got the offer. Seems like a bunch of 0L/1Ls here making a big deal out of nothing.

User avatar
megaTTTron

Silver
Posts: 980
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2010 4:26 pm

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by megaTTTron » Sat Jan 15, 2011 2:40 pm

romothesavior wrote:Even if the odds of it negatively affecting you are small, why take the risk? More than ever, legal hiring decisions are being made around the margins. So many qualified law students for so few spots, and the smallest things can matter. Will a well trimmed beard likely have any affect? No. But the fact is that it could, and it is within your control to guard against it, so shave it.

And what's more, I don't think I've ever seen a young firm associate with facial hair.
This. This so may times it's crazy.

And's its sometimes perceived as disrespectful. You gotta EARN that right to have a beard.

User avatar
Patriot1208

Platinum
Posts: 7023
Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 11:28 am

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by Patriot1208 » Sat Jan 15, 2011 2:56 pm

Anonymous User wrote:Have a beard. Had it during 2L OCI. Interviewers and recruiters even complimented me. Had it during the summer. Got the offer. Seems like a bunch of 0L/1Ls here making a big deal out of nothing.
It's not that it will hurt the op it's th at it can hurt the op and there is no reason to chance it. I am an 0L but I worked in a recruiting office for professions that are similar. Also, why so anon?

User avatar
megaTTTron

Silver
Posts: 980
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2010 4:26 pm

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by megaTTTron » Sat Jan 15, 2011 3:00 pm

Anonymous User wrote:Have a beard. Had it during 2L OCI. Interviewers and recruiters even complimented me. Had it during the summer. Got the offer. Seems like a bunch of 0L/1Ls here making a big deal out of nothing.
Where did you work?

Communicate now with those who not only know what a legal education is, but can offer you worthy advice and commentary as you complete the three most educational, yet challenging years of your law related post graduate life.

Register now, it's still FREE!


A&O

Bronze
Posts: 347
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 11:08 am

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by A&O » Sat Jan 15, 2011 3:00 pm

Also, why so anon?
Because I'd prefer not to be outed based on my physical characteristics?
h at it can hurt the op and there is no reason to chance it
Anything can hurt the OP. So basically, if he doesn't want to take a chance, he should do nothing at all. Ever. Never.

Right.

A&O

Bronze
Posts: 347
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 11:08 am

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by A&O » Sat Jan 15, 2011 3:01 pm

megaTTTron wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:Have a beard. Had it during 2L OCI. Interviewers and recruiters even complimented me. Had it during the summer. Got the offer. Seems like a bunch of 0L/1Ls here making a big deal out of nothing.
Where did you work?
I worked at a big law firm, as is pretty much implied by my post. Are you asking for vault range? That seems a little strange. A V5 would care about the beard, but a V15 wouldn't?

User avatar
romothesavior

Diamond
Posts: 14692
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:29 pm

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by romothesavior » Sat Jan 15, 2011 3:05 pm

Anonymous User wrote:Anything can hurt the OP. So basically, if he doesn't want to take a chance, he should do nothing at all. Ever. Never.

Right.
Nice straw man. I think we're all just saying that if something can't really help you but can possibly hurt you, you don't do it, even if the risk is low.

But you probably know better than us. Congrats on your offer.

User avatar
megaTTTron

Silver
Posts: 980
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2010 4:26 pm

Re: Beard okay for 1L interview?

Post by megaTTTron » Sat Jan 15, 2011 3:06 pm

Anonymous User wrote:
megaTTTron wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:Have a beard. Had it during 2L OCI. Interviewers and recruiters even complimented me. Had it during the summer. Got the offer. Seems like a bunch of 0L/1Ls here making a big deal out of nothing.
Where did you work?
I worked at a big law firm, as is pretty much implied by my post. Are you asking for vault range? That seems a little strange. A V5 would care about the beard, but a V15 wouldn't?
Just because you worked for a firm, with a beard, does not make it normal. Your above post is TERRIBLE advice.

TCR is don't do things to set yourself apart in a way that could be perceived as disrespectful. AKA get a haircut and shave. If you want to make waves or fight the man do it outside of work.

ITT one guy with a beard and an offer misleads. Seriously, good for you man, but don't mislead people.

Seriously? What are you waiting for?

Now there's a charge.
Just kidding ... it's still FREE!


Post Reply Post Anonymous Reply  

Return to “Legal Employment”