To think tattoos don’t hold you back professionally?

[Fluffysparks]

... But the people who get them are more likely to be less qualified?

Aware that I’m about to get flamed here, and probably have to NC. Also, I am aware this is a MASSIVE generalisation based on the evidence of one thread.

But, reading another thread earlier, I couldn’t help but realise the grammar of those who claimed to have tattoos was (disclaimer: in general ) much poorer than people who didn’t. It just made me wonder, that’s all, as most of the employers said that a tattoo wouldn’t put them off.

[Fluffysparks]

Sorry, posted too early. Surely this means that it isn’t the tattoos themselves holding employees back, but the mindset iyswim?

[hotmilkandcrunchynuts]

Maybe in general. I don't know.

I am very qualified and have 2 tattoos. You would never see them unless invited to though.

[Nomoretears56]

Erm excuse me!! I have tattoos, I am at the top of my pay grade, I've worked bloody hard to get where I am and people with your attitude should learn some tact and if that's beyond you then learn to STFU

[monkeysox]

Some jobs do not allow visible tattoos.

[Fluffysparks]

Oops sorry I just meant I general, but obviously it must have been a one off thread.

[pinkliquorice]

Maybe there is a link that more well educated people don’t have tattoos.
But tattoos don’t hold you back professionally, the richest and the most successful people I know all have tattoos (and they don’t have degrees either)

[Fluffysparks]

*in

[MrsLettuce]

4/10

[Fekko]

I guess it depends what it is. They aren't exactly unusual these days are they?

[afrikat]

I have an MSc and hold a senior position in a corporate environment. I have 4 tattoos and I am planning more. At least half of my colleagues also have tattoos. I couldn't disagree with you more

[Fluffysparks]

I guess not then! It was just a question

[Sparklesocks]

I tend to think making assumptions about entire groups of people based on anecdotal experience shows naivety at best, wilful ignorance at worst.

[Incitatus]

I have tattoos and a nose piercing and I’m a qualified health care professional

[Fluffysparks]

Sparkle, yup, probably. It was just an observation I made earlier, I didn’t actually say I think this

[NoChella]

BSc and PhD with 3 tattoos here, sorry op! I think you'll get a lot of responses along these lines to prove your generalisation wrong!

[SurfaceThroughTheWaves]

Qualified, register professional with multiple tattoos.

[SurfaceThroughTheWaves]

Who apparently can’t spell

[whirlygirly]

I was reading an American book which discussed this - nice girls don't get the corner office. The author said that she wouldn't employ someone covered in tattoos as she'd question their professional judgement.

Whether you agree or disagree, I've known several senior recruiters who thought like this. I think if you're in a more conservative organisation like financial or professional services, visible tattoos can create an unfavourable (and potentially unfair) perception. In most other industries I really don't think anyone cares either way nowadays.

[Fluffysparks]

Congrats on your PhD No

[Nomoretears56]

I apologise, I was very angry reading your post OP, I have 8 tattoos, some visable some not, a nose piercing and a tongue piercing, none of which impact on my ability to do my job to a high standard, however I'll agree that some employers have prejudices that preclude them employing people who like this sort of thing, I've experienced this in the past and can only hope that in the future this attitude is relegated to the bin where it belongs!

[contortionist]

I agree OP that if it’s true that the average earnings of people with tattoos is lower than the average earnings of people without tattoos, then it could be that tattoos cause lower earnings (by holding people back professionally), that lower earnings cause tattoos (lack of other means of self expression?) or some third factor (eg low educational attainment) causes both effects.
Or that there are lots of factors at play which interact with each other in complex ways.

[Fekko]

The only think that makes my toes curl is belly button rings. They just look painful. I like to look at tattoos though - I used to have loads of books on them when I was at art school!

[PoppyPopcorn]

There are tattoos and there are tattoos though....

Having a wee tattoo on your shoulder or back isn't my taste but isn't visible and isn't likely to hold you back.

Having your children's names tattooed on your neck or LOVE and HATE over your knuckles probably will.

[Fluffysparks]

Sorry everyone, looks like I was wrong

[Fekko]

Dads undertaker had love and hate tattoos. Also something on the back of his neck but I forget what it was.