If I need you desperately, I'm going to overlook a lot of things. For example, our computer people, they are needed desperately so they can dress psychedelically. They can do whatever they want to do and the companies are going to go out of their way to accommodate them. What you should be looking for is their skill, not how they're dressed. Any time you can get both, I'll opt for the one who's not weird.
Perception is very important.
Unfortunately, we are human beings and part of the hiring process is impression. Not necessarily so. John Trice runs the Frost Bank on Padre Island, where things admittedly are more laid-back. He says he wouldn't overlook a potential hire because of a nose ring. But that's partly a function of his market.