What would you do if I told you your facial hair affected your chances of getting into finance? Some of you might nod, knowingly, while others might be reluctant to believe me.

For those who are reluctant: go shave, right now.

And then read the rest of this week’s Q&A below.

1. Must investment bankers be clean-shaven? Not that this is a deal-breaker for me, but I have a beard I really like….

Yes, they must. I’ve never seen anyone with a beard in this industry. They take appearances pretty seriously, and even something as minor as hair dye is usually not tolerated. My friend had to remove his before starting a banking internship a few years ago.

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Reader Q&A makes its return today - I’ve stopped calling this “Weekly” since the schedule is simply too random to predict.

Relationships Vs. Investment Banking

“I have a question that I don’t believe I’ve seen addressed on your site.

I’m interested in pursuing investment banking, as it sounds like it gives you a lot of good opportunities in the future.

My main concern may seem a bit cheesy, but I’m sure many others share it. If you choose to enter this profession, how and/or when do you finally get the time to get/have/maintain a girlfriend or boyfriend?

Should you just forget about that for your first 2 years as an Analyst, or is it not even realistic when you’re an Associate?”

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What is Investment Banking?: Ari Gold: What Bankers Actually Do, Why NOT Do Investment Banking

Investment Banking Lifestyle: A Day in the Life - Worst Day and Best Day, How to Stay Fit, Investment Banking Wardrobe for Men, Investment Banking Lingo Part 1 and Part 2, A Week in the Life (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday)

Breaking into Finance: How to Get an Investment Banking Job, Networking into Investment Banking, Recruiting in a Tough Market, Breaking in from Engineering, Breaking in from Law, Breaking in from the Back Office

Investment Banking Resumes: How to Write an Investment Banking Resume, How Investment Bankers Read Resumes

Investment Banking Interviews: Investment Banking Interview Guide, The Interview Selection Process, How to Close Your Interviews

Summer Internships: Summer Intern Success Guide, How to Dominate Your Summer Internship, Tips from a Former Summer Analyst, What You Do as a Summer Analyst, 10 Summer Internship "Don't's", How Summer Interns Get Full-Time Offers

Investment Banking Salaries: Investment Banking Salaries vs. McDonald's, Why Investment Bankers Make So Much Money, 2008 Analyst Bonuses

Private Equity / Buyside Jobs: Private Equity Resumes, Private Equity Interviews, The Myth of the Buyside Job, Headhunters: Friend or Foe?

Specific Groups: UBS LA, Boutiques, Restructuring, The Back Office

Quitting Finance: The Conference Room: How You Get Fired, The Farewell Email, A Day in the Life of a Former Investment Banker