Having a visible tattoo can make landing your next job more challenging than ever. That’s because the way you present yourself to the world matters when it comes to finding work, especially in certain industries and locations.
Despite the fact that we’re living in the 21st century – an era in which body autonomy is promoted and encouraged, there’s still a huge stigma around inked people. This is especially true when it comes to tattoos’ acceptance within the workplace. Surprisingly, even in this day and age, there are still many individuals who struggle to find a job because of this.
The sad reality is, many people who choose to have this body modification are still pigeonholed into this preconceived idea that a person who is heavily inked is someone who is unemployable or worse off, a ‘lesser’ member of society. Unfortunately, such people are often seen as individuals who have no interest in work and prefer staying home slumped on a sofa playing video games or glued to their desktop or mobile device playing games at a random no deposit casino. But anyone who’s in their right mind knows this to be far from reality.
Why Are Tattoos Still a Problem in the Job Hunt?
Almost a decade ago, tattoos were still seen as taboo and fairly unprofessional. Tattoos were cool but were also seen as a little bit dangerous. Ultimately, many people still had an overall negative reaction to tattoos. They were seen as dangerous, rebellious, and anti-social – yet still very cool in a rebellious way. Although tattoos are becoming more socially acceptable and common, according to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, a majority of Americans (65%) say they would be less likely to hire a candidate if they had a visible tattoo. However, some industries are more accepting of tattoos than others. For example, the creative and design industries may be more likely to hire individuals with tattoos, whereas the healthcare and financial services industries may be less likely to employ individuals with visible tattoos.
How do Tattoos Affect the Interview Process?
The interview process is an important phase in your job hunt. This is your chance to sell yourself and your skills to hiring managers. The more interviews you land, the better your chances of getting hired. However, it’s important to remember that this phase of the job hunt is about more than just your resume. It’s also about your appearance and overall vibe. For this reason, it’s important to keep your tattoos covered during the interview process. If you have large tattoos, it’s best to avoid wearing certain types of clothing. For example, you may want to avoid wearing open-backed shirts or sleeveless items. This is because you don’t want your tattoos to distract from the interview. You also don’t want your tattoos to scare off hiring managers.
Potential Problems With Having Tattoos During Your Job Search
If you are actively job hunting, you should avoid getting tattoos as they can hurt your job prospects. This can be especially true if you’re in a conservative industry or trying to break into management. Having visible tattoos could hurt your chances of getting hired, especially if you want to work in a corporate environment. This is because upper-level managers need to project a certain type of image. They need to exude confidence, professionalism, and poise. Therefore, having visible tattoos could negatively impact your chances of getting promoted.
Tips for Landing Your Next Job With a Visible Tattoo
Once you’ve decided that you want to succeed in the job hunt with tattoos, there are a few things you can do to make your job search as easy as possible.
- Make sure to have a polished resume that highlights your strengths and experience without coming across as unprofessional.
- Be completely honest and upfront when asked about your tattoos and if they’re visible. You don’t need to get into details, but you do need to be honest about the fact that you have tattoos and where they are located.
- Once you get an interview, you can also take a few extra steps to put your best foot forward.
- Treat every interview like a job interview. Be as professional as possible but also be true to yourself and your personality, and you’ll increase your chances of success.
It’s Your Choice To Cover up Your Tattoos During Your Job Hunt
While you don’t have to completely cover up your tattoos during the job-hunting process, it is a good idea to keep them hidden. This means you should wear long-sleeved shirts, turtlenecks, and pants that cover your ankles. This can help you avoid being turned away during the application process. You don’t want them to distract from your interview or hinder your chances of getting hired.
Some industries view tattoos as an asset, and you might even be able to use your tattoos to your advantage. Tattoos are a form of self-expression, after all, so make sure you are proud of your choice and don’t let anyone else make you feel ashamed.
Having a visible tattoo can make landing your next job more challenging than ever. That’s because the way you present yourself to the world matters when it comes to finding work, especially in certain industries and locations. Luckily, tattoos are also an incredible form of self-expression, so if you find yourself struggling to find work because of your tattoos, don’t let that stop you from pursuing your passions.