Piercings in the Finance industry

I'm 18 and I have my first ever finance-related internship interview coming up soon. I have one piercing on my left ear, but I've been told it hurts my job prospects.

I've been contemplating taking it off during the interview, but tbh, I feel like if I acted like a pussy just for a job, I might as well never apply for any financial posts.

Probably a bit extreme, but any thoughts or should I be "risk averse"?

4 Comments
 

Depends how bad you want the job. If you don’t feel right taking it off during the interview, how are you going to feel taking it off for years? 

Imo, it’s unprofessional. Personally, dont really care too much, but I think piercings on men are weird (love chicks with nipple piercing). But I also think you shouldnt try to pretend to be someone you’re not. Up to you man. 

 

Perfect response and thank you for it!

Do I really want it? I don't know what to expect, but I suppose it's just the usual entry grunt work.

And yeah, I currently don't see myself 'ideologically' taking it off, but I bet I'm doing myself a disservice considering I do want to be doing finance. I won't take it off then, also considering that my chances look bleak as a first year anyways.

Also, why are piercings so 'unprofessional in finance? It's not like I don't know what I'm doing😢.

 
Most Helpful

I get you man. It’s just how the culture of the industry is. But also, it varies by firm. At some groups people have beards, tattoos, and piercings, at others any of that was be an instant ding. It really just depends, but in general high finance is very conservative. 
But I’ll emphasize what I mentioned before. If you have to pretend to be someone you’re not just to get the job (everyone has done this at some point when they were desperate for a job) then it’s a sign that maybe it’s not the group for you. You will realize the value of culture once you start working

 

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