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.

I love the angle you've taken with this thread, OP, where the title appears to be supportive of tattoos. Then when the thread is opened, you start insulting them. It's like one of those set up and punchline rude birthday cards.

I have visible tattoos that can be 'hidden' (forearm, wrist, ankles, back and feet). The only reason they would not be visible is due to me dressing for the weather, not for 'professionalism'. I also have a large number of tattoos elsewhere which can't be seen in most daily activities.

I teach and not once has any of my tattoos been an issue. I've come in to contact with SMT, government officials, other teachers, academics and parents without anyone reacting negatively. All the while I never gave a second thought as to whether my tattoos were on show.

I also had a nose piercing, 2 lobe piercing on each ear, tragus and conch piercings. I only have a tragus and lobe piercing now due to removal for surgery.

I am considering a full sleeve tattoo. It will not affect my ability to teach.

I had a law degree by the age of 20; approached for a govt job in London shortly after, worked in local govt and now teach at 24 whilst considering various masters courses. They have not impacted my educational achievements.

Ao Bumblebee you refuse to hire anyone who has a visible tattoo and/or is overweight? I'm overweight yet exercise 5x per week and currently have undiagnosed health issues causing a vast number of issues, including no weight losss. I'm not undisciplined, indeed I've managed to study, work 3 jobs all while being a single parent and not letting anything slip because I am very disciplined.

I'd cut my own arm off before working for some employers.

Just recently been on holiday at half term. Expensive, place full of range rovers and volvos. IT was remarkable how few tattoos on show in the pool. Very very few. I'm not sure they are as popular as some people think.

I think the prevalence increases with lower incomes.

They are popular with the younger generation.
I would discriminate unless they have something tattooed across their forehead.

I suspect industry is more relevant than level of education these days. A lot of people on this thread who have tattoos and a high level of education seem to be academics, but I don't find that surprising as I would expect academics to be non-conformists (that's not an insult, by the way ). The same goes for people who have the imagination to set up and run successful businesses. I would be more surprised at people in big corporate city firms having visible tattoos (though times may have changed on that one) and certainly, working in an independent school, I don't know a single colleague who admits to having a tattoo anywhere.

A visible tattoo in banking would stop you getting to the c suite, definitely.

Snobs

A visible tattoo in banking would stop you getting to the c suite, definitely.

TBH I'm more concerned that my lacking a penis will be the issue.

Maybe the people with tattoos just couldn't give a shit about their grammar or typos on an online forum.

I have many large, colourful tattoos and a very obvious septum piercing and these have not held me back. Neither did my hair when I shaved half of it off and dyed the rest blue.

I work bloody hard in a very busy, customer-facing environment and have a decent chunk of responsibility. I am perfectly qualified for my current role and I will begin my masters in September, which will hopefully stand me in good stead for a promotion.

I think it was partly a class issue in previous generations, which is another potential barrier to employment, but not so much nowadays.

None of my parents ( in their 50s) professional, successful peers have tattoos and think they are scummy along with multiple piercings but many of the future lawyers and doctors I know have them and are very middle class and presumably will not be held back by the tattoos as they aren't visible for the most part. One junior doctor I know has a visible one on her ankle (which is hilariously terrible) but I suppose she will wear longer trousers.

I would struggle to take someone seriously in a professional sense if they had loads of tattoos, but that is my parents attitude rubbing off on me to an extent I suppose, along with the fact my peers seem to get them on a whim, and then go on and on about how personal, special and individual the dumb lotus flower/ohm sign/compass/random phrase or animal is to them. It's just not, more people have tattoos than Tesco club cards. I associate tattoos with adolescent rebellion, which isn't something you want in an employee with any real responsibility.

Headofthehive55, you are correct. Rule of thumb - the posher the hotel, the fewer the tattoos.

I worked as a prison education officer for six years. I would estimate 90% of the inmates had tattoos, enough to put me off for life.

I think OP is wishful thinking. I expect a lot of interviewers will be biased against candidates with visible tattoos (in normal interview wear or workwear). Even if they say they aren't biased and there are no company policies against tattoos, I think they are still likely to have subconscious bias.

Lots of anecdotes to the contrary here, but the plural of anecdote is not data.

I'm really speculating here, but I reckon it has the greatest impact at low-mid and mid-level office and retail jobs. If you're a manual labourer, probably nobody really cares. If you've got the skills and experience to pull in 80k a year, or sports and celebrity megabucks, that 'overrides' objections to your tattoos. But if you're looking for something like a store manager job, that's when I reckon the employers will pass you over for having a visible tattoo.

And yes, Bumblesbees is a twat. But an honest twat. And I expect facing attitudes like theirs will not be uncommon when you're going for interviews.

I think people do make judgements about what is presentable - or not.
We had someone turn up to interview in flip flops.
Flip flops don't affect your ability to work at a desk usually, but indicated that she didn't fit in. She wasn't sufficiently wow to overcome this. I think if you do present yourself a little bit less conventional, you have to be a much better than your competition.

I’m just telling the truth, and I suspect it’s true of a lot of employers, they just don’t come out and say it.

I have tattoos and feel I am pretty successful. Mine are not really visible.

I would be put off employing someone with a lot of visible tattoos though

Same with overweight people, they lack discipline
Please tell me how to discipline my bowel so that I don't have to take steroids, renowned the world over for causing weight gain.

A visible tattoo in banking would stop you getting to the c suite, definitely.
Or not.