This told essay is based on a conversation with Israel Garcia.
Principal Consultant on Digital and AI Transformation at Cambridge Experts, a UK-based consulting firm focused on technology product strategy. This essay has been edited for length and clarity.
After years of working in technology and AI consulting, I made an unexpected career change. It was to shave his beard.
My beard has gone almost completely gray, and I’m starting to worry that it’s sending the wrong message when I’m interviewing for jobs in AI and technology. On paper, my experience looked powerful. But when I met a recruiter half my age, I couldn’t ignore the contrast.
I wasn’t just trying to look younger. I was trying to make sure my appearance matched the image I wanted to project in one of the fastest-changing industries in the world.
My advice to job seekers is simple. Focus on the message your appearance conveys.
My appearance didn’t match the message I wanted to convey
I’ve been helping companies build AI strategies and systems for years. I’ve also worked in technology long enough to understand how first impressions work.
When I looked at a picture of myself before shaving, I saw that I had a long beard with gray hair here and there. I started thinking about the roles I was pursuing and the people who would be interviewing me. Many of them were much younger than me.
I used to think that looking older made me seem more experienced, more trustworthy, and more suited to leadership.
The problem wasn’t age itself. It was a recognition.
In my opinion, every interview starts before you even say a word. The way you express yourself conveys your message. If you show up to an interview for a highly technical role in a suit and tie, people may think you don’t fit into the culture. If you’re interviewing for a CEO position wearing sneakers and a T-shirt, you might be asked if you’re ready to lead.
The same goes for age.
It’s not about how old I am. But I didn’t want to be seen as old-fashioned or outdated. I felt that the image I was presenting was not consistent with the message I wanted my employer to receive.
That’s why my advice is to think less about the appearance itself and more about the impression they are trying to create. Do you want to convey deep experience? technical expertise? energy? leadership? Your appearance should support that message.
AI companies want experience and adaptability, but the balance is difficult
One of the paradoxes of the tech industry is that while companies are looking for experience, they’re also looking for people who fit into a culture that tends to skew young.
Especially in the field of AI, companies are looking for people who are adaptable, flexible, and able to respond quickly to changes in technology. At the same time, they want the benefit of years of experience.
That’s a hard combination to find.
I’ve worked with people less than half my age, and because I look older, people often assume I can be trusted before I even speak. Experience has weight. However, there is also a recognition that older workers may be less flexible or less able to adapt to rapid change.
I think this is why many experienced professionals who were recently laid off from large tech companies have a hard time transitioning to new AI startups. The culture can feel different and there can be pressure to prove that you are still adaptable and aligned with the direction of the industry.
At the same time, young workers face the opposite problem. They may fit the image the company is looking for, but they still don’t have the experience the employer is looking for.
In many ways, companies are looking for experience, flexibility, cultural fit, and long-term commitment all at the same time.
That’s why I tell people not to be obsessed with looking young. Instead, think carefully about the message you want to convey. The way you look, the language you use, and the way you express yourself all work together.
For me, shaving wasn’t about hiding my age. It was about making sure my appearance reflected who I am today and where I want to go next.