Express Yourself Verbally, Not Visually
ningcontentAccording to a CNN.com story, more than 25% of Americans between ages 18 and 50 have at least one tattoo. The percentage jumps another 10 points when you narrow the age range to 18 to 29. Roughly simplified, at least one in three or four people in the workplace will likely have a tattoo. Look around…do you see any of your co-workers sporting a little body art? Are you?
Tattoos are not covered under your civil or constitutional rights. While you absolutely have a right to get one, don’t expect an employer to hire you if there’s a concern about how clients might perceive you. For some employers, a dress code is critical to the branding and image of the organization. A tattoo may well be outside of the employer’s guidelines. For most customers, their perceptions are their realities.
However, tattoos are a reality and an employer may hire a qualified candidate and have a requirement that all tattoos remain covered by appropriate business attire while the employee is on the clock.
Think about the following before you get a tattoo (or your next tattoo):
Consider the message you’re conveying. Part of this is about the perceived reality of others and part of it is about the “message” of the tattoo. The same rules apply to the tattoo that applies to interviewing: avoid controversy. It’s like dating — you don’t want to turn off your “date” before he or she gets to know you.
Location, location, location. The real estate market has it right; it’s all about location. Choose locations on your body that will likely be covered by your work attire and focus your art there. No harm, no foul.
Limit the number of tattoos you have. Most people, even the most conservative, can handle a tasteful tattoo and can rationalize it as youthful indiscretion. However, when the tattoos start creeping up your neck and down your arms Miami Ink-style, people provide their own reality and credibility tests to you.
Your dress for success strategy should include a critical evaluation of how others will perceive and respond to you. Businesses ultimately want to make money and exceptional relationships between employees and customers translate into more money. If customers can’t connect with you because of the distraction of your body art, you may want to reconsider how you’re expressing yourself.
Sharon DeLay is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and Certified Professional Career Coach. You can visit her at Permanent Ink Professional Development Services or e-mail her for more information.
