Clean-cut: Play it safe when prepping for an interview p1 - Military Transition - Military Times EDGE

You’re out of the military — you can finally wear that tongue ring you’ve always wanted! You can ... but should you?

Not if you’re looking for a job, according to Danny Cahill, head of the executive search firm Hobson Associates. “There is still a bias against longer hair, facial hair, body jewelry and tattoos,” especially among older workers, who tend to do the hiring, he says. “Why would you introduce any potential negative into the equation?”

The equation might change once you get the job — interview culture is not the same as the working culture — but until then, you can’t be too conservative in your personal grooming, Cahill says. An interview “is performance art, it really is.” And you need to look the part:

Hair length

Both men and women should consider a cut if their hair is much longer than average. It goes without saying that hair should be clean, tidy, and off your face — but we’ll say it anyway.

Facial hair

Trim, well-maintained facial hair may be acceptable in many workplaces — but it’s not advisable for an interview, especially in more conservative industries, Cahill says.

Jewelry and makeup

Dial it back: Limit jewelry to a few understated pieces, and stick to more neutral shades of makeup.

Fragrance

Use sparingly or, even better, go without. You never know if your interviewer will be allergic or particularly sensitive to scent.

Tattoos

You take a risk if you show up with your ink exposed. Attitudes may be changing, but many people still react negatively to tattoos. Cover yours if you can do so easily and professionally.

Piercings

Only 1 percent of Americans aged 46 to 64 have a piercing somewhere other than an ear, according to a recent Pew Research Center study. Again, why take the risk of creating a negative impression? Take it out.