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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To wonder is a visible tattoo will really ruin my career chances?

50 replies

superstarheartbreaker · 06/10/2013 23:49

I a tattoo on my hip and I would like to have another one. I work in education and I am applying for teaching jobs. I am thinking of getting a snow leopard on my shoulder. Ok , so not too visible but is it a risk? Do employers discriminate agains tattoos? I read in the news that they do. Not the mail btw!

OP posts:

InspectorMagnet · 06/10/2013 23:56

Call me a prude, but teachers shouldn't be exposing their shoulders at work and certainly not at an interview. Therefore tattoo shouldn't be a problem.

CoffeeTea103 · 06/10/2013 23:57

Why would your shoulders be exposed at work? Also think teachers should dress appropriately, so if your shoulders are covered then it shouldn't be a problem

PiratePanda · 06/10/2013 23:58

If you're happy wearing clothes to work that fully cover up your tattoo then it won't be an issue, surely?

LaurieFairyCake · 06/10/2013 23:59

Yes, no vest tops or shift dresses if you do

Can't you just get it on your butt or fanjo

No one gets that out at school

Unless they're pissed and a teacher from the. 80's (thanks Mr Connelly from Ayr Academy)

Original poster

superstarheartbreaker · 07/10/2013 00:00

I would always cover up. So i guess it's not a biggie. I might get it elsewhere though.

OP posts:

Remotecontrolduck · 07/10/2013 00:03

I think for teaching yes it will matter. Wrongly in my opinion as I have no issue with (non-offensive) tattoos. Some people will judge you though unfortunately.

If it can be covered up then you should go for it, but it will really need to be covered.

SugarHut · 07/10/2013 00:03

Will it beyond ruin your chances, no. Not the smartest move, yes.

I do agree with other posters though, surely you don't have your shoulders out, in which case, it won't matter?

ravenAK · 07/10/2013 00:10

I'm a teacher & have a large shoulder tattoo.

I tend to wear long sleeves for work as having one part of the tattoo peeking out from under a short sleeved top looks silly. Some of my work blouses have sheer sleeves, though - it's certainly not any secret in school that I have a tattoo, & I'll cheerfully roll my sleeve up if students ask to see it.

But as Inspector Magnet says - on interview you'd be wearing something formal, so a shoulder tattoo won't present any problems.

It makes me slightly cross that any of this is even a consideration, but I'd probably be more careful about vibrant hair colour or piercings if you're jobhunting & playing safe.

DioneTheDiabolist · 07/10/2013 00:11

Dsis is a teacher. Her shoulder tattoo has never been an issue.

yellowsnownoteatwillyou · 07/10/2013 00:26

I know a female teacher who has 2 tattoos on her lower arms, one on the underneath of her arm and on the top of her other arm. And I'm talking massive tattoos.
She apparently never wears short sleeves, I don't see how this works,but she's still employed and working her way up the ladder. She also has an under cut shaved in her hair, and she's not an art or drama teacher.

CoolItKittens · 07/10/2013 00:50

DSis is a teacher and has tattoos on both wrists. Never had a problem so far.

fortyplus · 07/10/2013 00:56

I don't think you'll ever know whether or not it's a problem. If you attend an interview and don't get the job you'll never know whether a tattoo had anything to do with it.

I don't base my opinions of colleagues around their tattoos - I don't like them but probably wouldn't think 'yuk' any more than I would if they had a large wart on the end of their nose

FunnyRunner · 07/10/2013 01:05

As long as it can be covered up you should be fine.

Teaching can be conservative as a profession, in the same way that other professions are. I say 'conservative' with a small c obviously Gove you cunt :o

missmarplestmarymead · 07/10/2013 09:50

I would be surprised if it would ruin it but it may be best to think that some people are prejudiced against them and no-one is prejudiced because someone does not have one.

My friend is a school governor (chair) and often sits in on interviews. She does not like them and if there was not much to choose between two candidates, the one who didn't have a tattoo would get the job. Obviously, she wouldn't give that as a reason to the others on the panel or to the candidate.

I suppose I am saying you are always taking a chance that you will come in front of someone who may dislike them and use them to block a promotion whereas you will never be blocked because you don't have one.

SamG76 · 07/10/2013 09:58

Agree with Miss mmm. I don't like tattoos at all and while I'd try not to hold it against someone in a job interview, there always the possibility of unconscious bias.

thegreylady · 07/10/2013 10:03

My dd is a teacher and has two small tattoos. One is on her shoulder and one on her foot. The one on her foot shows if she wears sandals but there have been no comments about it.

FunnyRunner · 07/10/2013 12:34

The worst thing is tattoos on the face, neck or hands to be honest. They are the hardest to hide. DH has been on an interview panel where a guy came in with a tattoo weaving up his neck. No matter what his credentials he was never going to get the job. People can wail and flail over the unfairness of it all but when you are representing an organisation at a senior level you need to be able to present yourself well to many different people from many different backgrounds. It's just a fact.

Beastofburden · 07/10/2013 12:46

I would have thought it depends a bit on the tattoo. A nice snow leopard elegantly drawn somewhere not too in your face ought to be fine and a bit cool for the students.

People who have their entire skin coloured in with dodgy women, bits of sci-fi and general cartoon stuff- not such a professional look.

IvanaCake · 07/10/2013 12:51

I can't see the problem with a shoulder tattoo...it would be easy to hide. I have a small one at the top of my back and no one I worked with ever knew it was there.

Goldenbear · 07/10/2013 12:59

I'm a SAHP so it's not a reference to my job but DP who is an Achitect was talking to me about this the other night as there is an Architectural Assistant who has just started working at the practice and he tattoos on both arms. DP says he is very ambitious and wants to be an associate Director by the time he is 30, DP seems to think the tattoos will hinder this ambition as the company won't want an Associate representing them, in contact with clients and bringing in business. When he was interviewed the tattoos were not on show.

Goldenbear · 07/10/2013 13:01

Sorry Architect not 'Achitect'.

pinkyredrose · 07/10/2013 13:13

goldenbear if he wears long sleeves how will the tattoos hinder him?

Beastofburden · 07/10/2013 16:17

I had a lot to do with high octane architects in posh international practices. They all had a very striking personal style, be it in dress, hairdo or general aura. Piercings, "forward" fashion and rainbow hair were the order of the day for the Young Ones. The odd tattoo would just vanish in the general creative mayhem, seems to me.

SilverApples · 07/10/2013 16:23

Choose a place for your tattoo that can be covered by professional dress.
Problem solved.

bzoo · 07/10/2013 16:30

I am part of a management team in Private Healthcare. I have a hand/wrist tattoo. I see many healthcare professionals with tattoos and piercings. I started off as a cleaner within the company and 2.5 years later I had worked my way through the ranks and about to enter senior management. Tattoo or no tattoo my work ethic shone through and ultimately THATS the point. A tattoo doesn't affect work ethic or working hard. Most people don't notice my tattoo straightaway!

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