Will Having a Tattoo Affect My Job Outlook?
Tattoo that was once an art form of choice among sailors and prison inmates has now become a symbol of individuality for common people. Many in modern society now embrace the art that was viewed with distaste before. Although the prejudices against tattoo usage are fast fading, "discrete tattoos" are getting more common, at least in the corporate world and the marketing arena. According to the 2007 Vault employee tattoo and body piercing survey, 85 percent of survey respondents believed that tattoos can hamper job prospects. It might help to be prudent in your tattoo display as it could rob you of a potential job opportunity.
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Industry Specific
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The corporate sector warrants certain conformities in employees, and, therefore, tattoos, visible or otherwise, are a definite rarity. This is true for most large companies that expect a great deal of professionalism in employees. In any conservative law firm, your tattoo is bound to be frowned upon and could keep you from getting the job. It is safer to follow a "no tattoo on display" policy and cover up your tattoos during any job interview, irrespective of the company's tattoo policies, as all companies expect the candidate to present a professional look. Certain industries, where self-expression is not regulated, give you the flexibility to flaunt your tattoo; if you already sport a tattoo or plan to sport one in the future, you may try your job prospects in a creative industry such as journalism or advertising, where your creative expression might be recognized and appreciated.
The Visibility Issue
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Tattoos do not become an issue when they are concealed. Although you may believe that bringing up the tattoo issue is unfair in any hiring process, you have to accept the possibility that people may find it unattractive and could base decisions on that. It could help to cover the tattoo with work-appropriate clothing and hide your artistic bent of mind when you seek employment in the corporate sector or in a customer-based firm; presenting the right appearance is as essential as your skill and is critical in a hiring process.
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Company Policies
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You need to be aware of your prospective company's dress code and body-art policies. Some companies allow nonoffensive visible tattoos, while others demand a job-specific appropriate dress code when it is matter of catering to a clientele; sales personnel may be asked to wear full sleeves to conceal his visible tattoos, though nonoffensive, when he meets with the clients. Employers in hiring practices may have prejudices about tattoos, and your open display of tattoo could hamper your job prospects. Customer-service industries make company rules with the client as the focus, and although employee rights are present, the industry doesn't give them the right to display tattoos; they expect them to make a good impression on the general public.
Reasons for Ban
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Companies have a constitutional right to ban employees with tattoos. This strong discrimination policy is legal; it arises from the fear that the tattooed person might wrongly symbolize the company's image. Remember that your First Amendment rights to the freedom of expression do not protect you or give you the right to display your tattoo in the workplace as employers have the right to implement dress code and body-art policies to save the company's image.
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References
- Young Money; Will Having A Tattoo/Piercing Cost Me My Job; March 2004
- Resumark; How Tattoos and Body Piercing Affect Your Career; Tatiana Verenik; January 2010
- Montana Body Art; Body Mods and Employment; David A. Darsow
- CPA Ireland; Can your Personal Appearance Hurt Job Prospects?; Robert Half
- Wapt.Com; Your Right To Bear Arms; Christine Mlodzik; December 2007
- All Business; Tattoos in the Workplace: What's an Employer to Do?; Barrie Gross
Resources
- Photo Credit Rainer Elstermann/Lifesize/Getty Images
