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Original poster

Job interview. To bare tattoo or not?

25 replies

LittleDonkeyKong · 18/07/2023 20:22

Have a job interview this week for a teaching assistant position. I was going to wear something with elbow length sleeves but suddenly thought if I should cover my tattoo. It's a pretty dinosaur design on my lower forearm and not overly big. Thoughts?

OP posts:
CurlewKate · 18/07/2023 20:23

I would cover it to be on the safe side.

StarlightLady · 18/07/2023 20:24

You never know what people's attitudes are, so I would wear something that does not expose it. For the record I am not anti tattoo and have one on my shoulder.

Luxell934 · 18/07/2023 20:24

I would cover it. Especially if it’s a catholic or church school.

Allmarbleslost · 18/07/2023 20:25

I would cover it. I work in a school and we're not allowed to have tattoos on show.

heyitsthistle · 18/07/2023 20:25

I think you should cover it, just to err on the side of caution. Good luck with the interview!

PimpMyFridge · 18/07/2023 20:26

That would be fine at my kids school (especially if it had the scientific name on it 🤣🤣) but you don't know so would cover it on the basis that you would be presenting yourself as you would be if you were actually in the role and tattoos on show were a no no.

renthead · 18/07/2023 20:26

Probably depends on your area. I live in a super hippy/alternative area where it is surprising if someone doesn't have tattoos! Wouldn't be an issue at all. But to be on the safe side, cover it.

DoesItHaveKosovo · 18/07/2023 20:28

Cover it, absolutely. I have several tattoos but some people are weird about them, so I’d be wary at a job interview!

CrackerAndPudding · 18/07/2023 20:29

You probably are best placed to gauge the culture at the school, but I'd err on the side of caution.

There were a few teachers with arm tattoos in my school in the 00s and I don't remember it ever being a talking point.

Original poster
LittleDonkeyKong · 18/07/2023 20:30

Most of the time I forget it's there but then suddenly thought should I have it out or not. Its a CofE school and rural

OP posts:
BarelyLiterate · 18/07/2023 20:30

Yes, I would definitely cover it for the interview and, if you get the job, keep it covered until you can ascertain the school’s policy on visible tattoos.

Arewehumanorarewecupboards · 18/07/2023 20:31

I really want to see your dinosaur tattoo

GoodVibesHere · 18/07/2023 20:32

I'd prob cover it. I'm intrigued by the 'pretty dinosaur' as I've never thought of dinosaurs as pretty Smile

Boleynforsoup · 18/07/2023 20:33

I would definitely cover them. I'm a teacher and have a lot of tattoos (full sleeves, legs, feet, back of neck; pretty much every part of my body bar my face, hands and throat) I always cover all my tattoos for interviews and out of all the schools I've worked in over the last 15 years only two have a policy which meant I didn't have to cover them all every day. Annoying on a very warm day but it's a choice I made knowing that most schools have a 'no visible tattoos' staff dress code so that's on me. My current school doesn't though, it's one of the many reasons why I love it.

ShowOfHands · 18/07/2023 20:34

I work in a school and had purple hair, a nose ring and visible tattoo in my interview. The purple hair I'd had done the day before and interview was at short notice.

They asked me to dye my hair and change to a stud but the tattoo was fine!

MyrtleSmurf · 18/07/2023 20:36

I have multiple tattoos and work as a TA. I am moving jobs and have covered mine for interviews, I am going to gauge the culture and read the policy in my new job before revealing them!

cariadlet · 18/07/2023 20:37

I would cover it for an interview and then find out what the policy is if you get the job as it varies from school to school.

The interviewers could be fine about them, could disapprove or not have any strong conscious thoughts either way but might have an instinctive, gut reaction that it looks unprofessional. It's not worth the risk if it's easy to cover it up.

I teach in a very conventional small town and our policy is just no visible, offensive tattoos.
Lots of staff have tattoos - teachers, TAs and others.

FortyFacedFuckers · 18/07/2023 20:45

I have multiple tattoos but I would keep them hidden for an interview, in my experience you still get a lot of judgy people, (unless you want to weed out the judgy employers)

Frogmila · 18/07/2023 20:52

I'd cover to be on the safe side but it sounds really sweet! I'm sure the kids will love a TA with a dinosaur.

user1494050295 · 18/07/2023 20:56

I sit on interview panels and I would prefer it covered

Campervangirl · 18/07/2023 21:08

I would cover up for the interview and I say that as a middle-aged female who has a chest tattoo, one behind my ear, one on my inner wrist, one on my leg, a massive one over one shoulder, one on my back and half a sleeve on one arm which also covers most of my hand 😬
I work in the rail industry in a technical/professional role.
Once you're in it's not so important but always better to present the best version of yourself.
I don't cover up at work anymore, my attitude is that ink doesn't affect my brain plus I'm old and I don't take any shit 😉

Original poster
LittleDonkeyKong · 18/07/2023 22:24

So I've found a black longline cardigan to wear with my staple wide legged jumpsuit!

OP posts:
Brandnewshit · 18/07/2023 22:27

Pretty dinosaur 😂

Instawars · 18/07/2023 22:49

You’ve already made your decision- so just want to say GOOD LUCK!!!

Murdoch1949 · 19/07/2023 06:47

Definitely cover it for the interview.

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