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Tattoo's and Job Prospects
I know that tattoo's ruin job prospects, but to what extent? I have a tattoo on my upper arm- the middle of my bicep and tricep. People barely see it because its never warm enough here to wear short sleeves. Would it ruin job prospects even if you cant see them? like..if they would be covered with a shirt?
I read about a firm in japan, if you showed anyone a tattoo, you would be fired. what do you all think?
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First, if your tattoo isn't visible, it's only a liability if you decide to show it to anyone at work. Even so, I think you'll find that the vast majority of employers are at least enlightened enough not to care that you have tattoos, only whether or not they can be seen.
I'll concern the rest of the article with U.S. business attitudes toward body art because it is the realm in which I have direct experience, but I think it is worth mentioning that different cultures have different attitudes toward these things. In Japan, as you mentioned, tattoos carry a stigma for their significance in organized crime. They are considered much more taboo by older generations there for this reason.
While I suppose it is regrettably undeniable that tattoos can "ruin" certain job prospects, even though dear old Mom might have assured you that if you get a drop of ink, you'll never work again (for more than minimum wage, at least), this is categorically untrue.
The trick is in being savvy as to which employers will care, and which won't. Company policies are varied enough now, that it's often worth asking (but of course, if you already have an exposed tattoo, there's little to be done about it anyway).
Awhile back, I made the healthy, informed, and dubious decision that I didn't need to impress anyone who was put off by self-expression. I cannot, in good faith, say that I have ever encountered a situation in which this has hindered me or left me regretful of my decision to have two sleeves as well as a tattoo on the back of my hand done. Then again, my career choices have often leaned in directions that this was unlikely to be a factor anyway.
That being said, I enjoyed a rather successful stint in commercial real estate, representing people who had more money than my young brain could fathom in transactions worth millions of dollars. Common sense would tell you that visible sleeve tattoos, in combination with my young age would be a prescription for disaster.
I always kept my sleeves buttoned crisply, at first, but as I built a relationship with these clients, I became comfortable rolling them up, if it was appropriate. I didn't go out of my way to flash my artwork in their faces, but nor did I take awkward pains to hide it. When the negotiations got serious and the sport coats came off, I found that these people were a lot more interested in what I had to say about their money than whatever might be lurking in my shirt.
The reason?
Because even though I decided that I didn't need to be embarassed about my tattoos, or let it hold me back from going after goals, that comfort in self-expression is no excuse for unprofessionalism. I spoke the language, I knew my business, I represented my clients like a tiger, I dressed appropriately, and I was always on time. I never acted like my tattoos should be a problem, since I did an exemplary job, and I think my clients cared far more about what I could do for them than that I'd decorated my skin.
Sometimes it will be company policy; right there, black and white in the handbook. There's nothing you can do about that. But I think you will find that if you dress appropriately, care for your appearance, are polite, knowledgeable and hard-working (as we all should be anyway, right?) that people will be much more likely to overlook your tattoos. Your personality should be the first thing they notice. Win them with that, and it will be hard to lose.
Just be mindful of your choices, and be realistic about them. I doubt that even my winning smile could have prevailed if it had to compete with a swear word inked forever across my throat in Old English script.
Some sentiments are better kept under your collar.
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I have tattoos in the same place you describe. It's never been a problem for me. Just wear sleeves. Once they hire you, you can show off your ink as much as is appropriate. Generally speaking, though, it's best to keep it under cover when applying for a job.
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It is perfectly acceptable to have tattoos, and it's definitely possible to have a job while you have them, BUT there are exceptions just as there is to every rule.
If the tattoo isn't visible & won't be unless you're naked, I wouldn't worry about losing the job. They won't see it, so it shouldn't affect your job. If you have visible tattoos however, like a sleeve, or on your neck, face, hands, etc, it can affect your chances & most places will not hire you. You can be applying for a job where you'll be out of sight and they still won't allow it.
Just remember not to get anything super large & visible, and you should be fine.
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Yeah, you're not gonna get fired for a tattoo that no one ever sees.
I've held a few different jobs, oddly enough the blue collar work was more strict about tattoos than the white collar work I did. When I worked for a state department doing paperwork, I could show any tattoos I wanted to. It all depends on the job and the work environment.
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1. This isn't Japan
2. If they can't see it and aren't going to see it, then it doesn't matter.
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