Job Interviews and Tattoos

Job Interviews and Tattoos Tattoos can mark a career, a recent article in the Toronto Star says Toronto employers advise job candidates to be sensible when meeting a prospective boss for the first time, and that includes hiding any tattoos or body piercings in order to make a good first impression. Marc Belaiche, president of TorontoJobs.ca says most employers view tattoos negatively. Its common sense he says.Its like knowing you shouldnt wear jeans to an interview. The results ofa tattoo and body piercing survey by career website Vault.com foundthat 85% of employees who respondedrecognized that body decorations can hinder a candidates chances of getting a job. Obviously people are getting the message, as last years survey resulted inonly 19% agreeing that tattoos could impede their potential to land a job! Belaiche said, Ifits a mechanics job, the employers dont care but if its a white-collar job meaning downtown corporate banks or financial institutions theyre more against tatoos showing or even nose rings. They dont want anything out of the norm. Kevin Final, a temporary-services co-ordinator at Temps4u tells any potential employee to cover upbefore going to an interview or assignmentand says hiding tattoos does not stifle a persons individuality. There are a lot of things that are part of a person that expresses who they are, but that doesnt mean its appropriate everywhere they are. He says clients dont specifically ask for workers who dont have prominent tattoos because its typically an unspoken understanding. You just dont do it. If you are interested in working in work pants or jeans for the rest of your life youwilllikely not be negatively affectedby sporting your body piercings or tattoos. However,if you choose to seek a high profile position it will be necessary to cover up orbegin a long term investment inplastic surgery to fill in the holes and remove the ink.