Beards in the back office?

I currently work at a Fortune 100 FS company in the Internal Audit function and have been growing a beard for a good 3 - 4 months. It's well-kept; not scraggly or patchy, and regularly groomed. Hasn't been any issue at all in my current company. However, I have some interviews lined up within the Internal Audit depts at a few i-banks and I'm wondering if the dress code/facial hair policy is a little more uptight or if I can get away with a beard if it's clean and fits my face.

I know conventional wisdom says to go clean-shaven to any interview, but I'm interviewing for back office roles in highly specialized and in-demand areas I have expertise in and although my current company is not an i-bank, they are still a highly prestigious FS firm and I've had no issues with facial hair here.

Thanks guys.

6 Comments
 

Is it really that big of a deal to shave for the interview and then re-grow the beard?

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 
Best Response

Just to update -- I went in bearded, and they offered me a 35% raise on my base. So to those who will read this in the future, your mileage may vary, but I interviewed bearded at a top IB and got an offer that blew away even my loftiest expectations.

 

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