Seeking input - should I have a beard during a job search?

Yes, grow the beard!

Are you aiming for a role as Santa Claus?

I personally would grow it as long as it is well kempt, you will look more age appropriate for the job.

A big part of senior leadership roles, as you know, is the trust they place in your experience. A beard, especially one with some cinnamon and sugar, should do a nice job of that.

But ultimately, it will all be based on your qualifications and what you bring to the table beyond a consulting view. A consulting view is great, but having been in a leadership role in industry, I will tell you that I would rather pay for 3-4 consultants occasionally to right the ship, than assume that someone purely raised in consulting, without functional experience or a different perspective, will get my organization past the standard management consulting playbook which is often more damaging than valuable to a healthy org.

I face (pun intended) the same situation- have a beard, assumed as younger if shaven, older if not. It shouldn’t matter if you have the goods - but gotta keep it professional/ tidy and own it. Thats all. Dont show up lookin like Jack Sparrow or Gandalf.

I grew a beard for my first interview with a bank, to look older. Got the job then my boss pressed me to shave it and i got mistaken for someones child … so i grew it back and its never left.

Stay clean-shaven!

Well it depends on the look you want to go for. If you’re wanting to look younger then clean shave it is; if you want to project older then go bearded. Understand that it’s pretty clear, a man will generally always look younger clean shaven and with less facial hair than bearded and with more scruff.

Have a style beard like French cut and trimmed to less hair, looks good

If it’s gray, then no

Same situation.

I kept it through all my interviews. Have 1 offer already and expecting another one soon.

I look much younger without it so I shaved it off. I miss my beard but YGDWYGD.

Depends which country you work in.

I am about to voluntarily leave a MBB after a decade and will be looking for a senior-level role elsewhere. I am fortunate to be able to carry off a solid beard (auburn with some grey) as well as go clean shaven, and have alternated every couple years. Without a beard I am often mistaken for being about five+ years younger than I am. With a beard I am aged appropriately (43) to a few years older. I’d like to go bearded again for a while and am trying to decide whether it will be an asset, a hinderance, or neutral. (Leaning neutral-to-asset and want to test here)

Keep it nice and clean and shaven around high enough so one can see above the shirt collar that you’re maintaining it daily.

If you don't have it now, grow it after you interview. You are on that cusp where looking mid to late 40's could ding you.

A solid professional beard gets compliments. Ask yourself if you've gotten compliments from others on the beard so you know it's not just your own opinion that it's looking sharp. Some people don't like facial hair no matter what, but you also may not want to work with those people, so I'd say keep it if it's good and helps your confidence, but if it's still "in the works" you might be better with a shave for now.

If someone would not hire you because of a beard, you’re probably better off not working there speaks a lot about their character. I do not care for beards however I would never not hire somebody because they have a beard. People that are in a position of power to hire need to get off of their high horse and judge people based off of their talent and skill set and personality not what they look like. Good luck 🧔‍♂️ 👍😎