That Norelco comes in handy when trimming your beard to match your working personality — a beard to inspire leadership potential, a Fu Manchu to display confidence. What about recruiters? They, too, need tools to “trim up” their talent acquisition practices to find the best teams.  Indeed, tools like the ATS, video interviewing, and onboarding programs (to name a few) have made recruiters’ jobs as easy as an in-home trim kit makes grooming. Likewise, just they carry unique coifs, the teams recruiters create vary — widely.

The Confident Fu Manchu

Hulk Hogan is a notable figure sporting the Fu Manchu. The wrestling star’s slogan was, “I fear no man, no beast, or evil [sic], brother.” The recruiter who goes searching for a team with the same sense of fearlessness looks for confident individuals. But when does that confidence go too far? Seventy-two percent of candidates are confident they can present their skills to recruiters, but, only 15 percent of hiring managers feel the same way.

Where does this disconnect come from? It’s not surprising that candidates go into interviews thinking they have the necessary skills when they read the job descriptions. Little do they know the job description they just read isn’t really what the position requires of them. Six out of 10 employees say the job, in reality, is different from what was written in the description.

The Versatile Handle Bars

Mustaches come in all shapes and sizes. You’ve got the Tom Selleck, the Mark Twain, and the Sam Elliot, to name a few. Although impressive, none of these quite match up to the versatility of the handlebar. Let’s be honest: beyond the facial hair, you want a team that is as versatile as the handlebar mustache. Curl-up the sides with wax or go au naturel even. As a recruiter, you’ll want a team that can both adapt to the changes in technology in the office and use old tools in new ways. Anna Case explains why it is necessary for candidates to be such jacks-of-all-trades:

“It’s vital for today’s employees to hold valuable skills and maintain a competitive edge. Sure, having focused expertise is great! But, for many employees, versatility can prove even more important. Companies are always looking for ‘Swiss Army Knife’ employees.”

Consider that handlebar mustache team to be your Swiss Army Knife.

The Leadership-Potential Beard

Mustaches — although they go through changes — have been in style for decades. Zach Galifianakis beards, on the other hand, come and go. With that said, beards can come in handy in the office. At least, they did in the early ’90s: managers actually preferred beards to mustaches or clean-shaven faces, rating them higher in personality, appearance, competence, and composure. The team that has the neatly trimmed beard fitting of their faces is the team that brings reports and presentations to higher-ups. They are the more professionally respected individuals around the office, the ones recruiters know have a potential for leadership within the company.

The Trusted Pencil

Brad Pitt was recently seen sporting a pencil mustache. Read more to see what this says about Brad (and possibly your) work style…

Originally posted on Recruiter.com.

Maren Hogan

Maren Hogan is CEO of Red Branch and general Bad@$$

Maren Hogan is a seasoned marketer and community builder in the HR and Recruiting industry. Maren started Red Branch Media and, before she hired all the smiling faces you see below, she ran it on her own. In marketing for over 15 years, she has deep experience in strategic campaigns and a long-term, results-based operational approach.