FACIAL HAIR during the job search

[3fins]

Here's my deal:

I'll be starting my RN job search in May and have a full beard (no mustache), that's neatly trimmed. I wear the beard for two reasons:

a) My facial hair is so thick, that when I shave it looks like I have a 5'oclock shadow (even right after I've shaved).

b) Despite being 26 years old, my small build and baby face give me the appearance of a 12 year old (I've had administration at middle schools where I substitute mistake me for a student - on multiple occasions). The level of respect anywhere I go tends to drop by 100%.

Looking over the forums, I always see "shave it for the interview." In my case, I'm not sure If that's such a good idea. Thoughts?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

One important aspect of the interview process is assessing whether or not the applicant would be a good 'fit' for the department. If your appearance is markedly different from the others in the group, it would weigh on the negative side.

Another issue is the organization's dress & appearance code. Do they permit facial hair among caregivers? Many organizations do not because of the infection control issues & inability to secure a good fit for respirator-type masks.

[chessknightRN]

I have a beard and mustache but I shaved it down to where it looked like a 5 o'clock shadow, and didn't have any problems during the interview process. You're going to have to shave it very low anyway to get fitted for a respirator mask if you work in a hospital so you might as well do it before the interview process.

[Mommy TeleRN, RN]

I work with many bearded nurses. I would trim it nice and neat. As far as Fit testing, at my facility if you can't get fit tested (one reason is facial hair, my personal reason is I have asthma and I feel suffocated by those masks) we get the backpack respirator thing (called a PAPR) that is like a hood that fits over your face.

When in the interview and asked what questions YOU have, I would just make a casual reference about the appearance policy and let them know that you will be more than happy to comply with whatever the appropriate policy is.