Physical appearance.

Blackout

I know some people on this forum do recruiting in some capacity or another. I have spent 10 years in the military and have allot of visible tattoos (Knuckles) , could this prevent me from getting hired?

Forsaken_GA

Blackout wrote: »

I know some people on this forum do recruiting in some capacity or another. I have spent 10 years in the military and have allot of visible tattoos (Knuckles) , could this prevent me from getting hired?

I wouldn't hold it against you if I was interviewing you, as I have tattoos myself, though nothing visible.

If you showed up with unkempt hair, needed a shower, and your clothes were all wrinkled... that, I would hold against you.

Essendon

If I was hiring for a customer facing role, I wouldnt hire you. Otherwise, if you had the skills for the job, I'd give you a chance.

Blackout

The only reason I ask, I have been in the military for a decade when I first joined tattoo's weren't really acceptable and I have been reading allot more that with the new generations, workforces have been more tolerant of tattoo's these days. I have many regrets from my time in the military, now that im a married man and have a child, I get worried that the stupid crap I have done is going to negatively affect them.

Blackout

Forsaken_GA wrote: »

I wouldn't hold it against you if I was interviewing you, as I have tattoos myself, though nothing visible.

If you showed up with unkempt hair, needed a shower, and your clothes were all wrinkled... that, I would hold against you.

LOL being in the military for 10 years, if I went unkept I would have anxiety attacks, if my beard grows out slightly I get paranoid that someone will see me with it. Unfortunately I think im stuck with the high and tights and baby face till im in the grave.

Forsaken_GA

Blackout wrote: »

The only reason I ask, I have been in the military for a decade when I first joined tattoo's weren't really acceptable and I have been reading allot more that with the new generations, workforces have been more tolerant of tattoo's these days. I have many regrets from my time in the military, now that im a married man and have a child, I get worried that the stupid crap I have done is going to negatively affect them.

The dress code for IT tends to be a little more slack. Unless you actually have to interact with customers face to face, it's probably not going to hurt you much. We have two floors in our building. It's not that difficult to tell which one the geeks are on I guess they figure we brainy guys are a little eccentric, and they'll indulge us

Some companies may care about appearances for all employees. My last three jobs haven't cared one whit. We've got a guy with full sleeves and purple hair. If important people are coming to visit, we're given advance notice, and asked to be presentable (which means they want us to wear the company polo shirt), but other than that, meh.

I personally choose to dress like I belong on the other floor, but I'm something of an anomaly, and I believe in to each their own.

Blackout

I really do appreciate the encouraging words!

powerfool

My time in the military has given me some contradictions... I continue to do some things because I was in the military, and I deliberately do some things differently because of it. I still wear undershirts religiously and maintain a haircut that is still within standards. However, I have facial hair (groomed consistently) just because I couldn't have it, full beard, but rather short.

networker050184

Like everyone else said, customer facing roles will probably be an issue. Mostly will depend on the person doing the hiring though.

SteveLord

powerfool wrote: »

My time in the military has given me some contradictions... I continue to do some things because I was in the military, and I deliberately do some things differently because of it. I still wear undershirts religiously and maintain a haircut that is still within standards. However, I have facial hair (groomed consistently) just because I couldn't have it, full beard, but rather short.

Ha...sounds like me. Except shaving everyday was the only thing my "lifetime commander" misses about my time in the military.

Anonymouse

I work in helpdesk at a corporate office and see a few tattoos around. Nothing tacky like sleeves or whatever. Depends on the company I guess. I haven't really noticed on any of the desktop support group but then again it's not like I'm checking out guys arms for that sort of thing.

neocybe

I agree with some of the other posts. You may have a tough time getting into a field - customer focused role. I work inhouse for a large energy company and one of my colleages has full sleeves, hands and neck covered with tattoos so go figure, I'd say its a moving target.

Mokilok

I was having a beer with some of the top managers of the company last week and I was listening as they were all talking about their opinions on Tattoo's. In general their belief seemed to be that tattoo's belong on criminals and tradesman and shouldn't be on anyone working in a professional suit and tie type environment.

You know the saying "What's the difference between someone with Tattoo's and someone without?" The answer being "We don't mind that you don't have Tattoo's."

I think that holds up in most IT workplaces, especially one where the management is a little older. I have Tattoo's up both of my arms, concealed by a long sleeve shirt and I honestly don't think I would have gotten the Job if the HR and IT manager had seen them during the interview.

RobertKaucher

I have tattoos and I am pretty sure 90% of my friends do as well. Most people in my generation seem to (late 1970s). I will say this, though. When I dropped 125 lbs - people started treating me differently. So don't let anyone ever try to convince you that appearance does not matter.

I think in most cases it's probably not a big deal - except as others have noted for customer facing roles...

Forsaken_GA

RobertKaucher wrote: »

I have tattoos and I am pretty sure 90% of my friends do as well. Most people in my generation seem to (late 1970s). I will say this, though. When I dropped 125 lbs - people started treating me differently. So don't let anyone ever try to convince you that appearance does not matter.

I think in most cases it's probably not a big deal - except as others have noted for customer facing roles...

Now, the flip side to all of this is that it may present some problems with advancement. This is a large part of why I stopped wearing jeans and funny t-shirts into work. Some of the best advice I ever got was 'Dress for the job you want, not the job you have'. Hiring managers who have seats that need filling may not be quite so picky about appearance if you've got the skills they need and you're a generally agreeable person. However, once you're in the door, the internal politics come into full force.

Stiltz79

I have tattoos on my arms and chest, an earring and I shave once a week. I wear dockers, steel toe workboots and dress shirts with the sleeves rolled up past my elbows. I have a chain attached to my wallet and wear 2 gold rings on 1 hand and 1 on the other hand. I have the feeling that you accept me for who I am. I accept others for who they are. I'm a biker and have been judged based on they way I look and the way I dress. I don't judge others that way. An employer could be passing over a possibly valuable asset by judging based on looks and not character and skills.

SteveLord

Stiltz79 wrote: »

An employer could be passing over a possibly valuable asset by judging based on looks and not character and skills.

Or they could be leaning toward the other valuable asset(s) has character and skills and is more clean cut.

poriggity

I love tattoos, I have 3 myself, and want more. That being said, when I got my first tattoo, I told myself it would be somewhere that could be covered up with a short sleeve shirt. I stuck to that rule for my other tattoos, and will continue to do so if I get more of them. It may or may not hurt to have visible tattoos, but I'd rather not chance it.
Scott

MrRyte

"Never judge a book by its cover"

Unfortunately in the corporate world; that term simply doesn't apply. You may have all the IT certs in the world; but your outward appearance is a major deciding factor. One guy that I had CISCO classes with has his CCNA for more than a year and still can't find anything other than help desk. He's helpful and pretty cool; but if you saw him in public you'd never think that because of his tattoos, piercings and grungy-dyed hair style (not to mention strongly suggestive shirts which may rub females the wrong way.....)

higherho

If you cannot take care of yourself how can you take care of the job? I'm sorry but if your showing off your tattoo's, wearing jeans, and long hair with a beard that is not well kept then that comes off as not professional. Plus how good is your character if you cannot take care of yourself? Do not expect to come into the professional world if you do not want to be and look professional.


EDIT

@ main poster - I'm not saying to get rid of your tattoo's. I would typically not show them at the workplace unless its a workplace that accepts it and my post is not directed at you or saying that you dress bad or anything. Please do not take my post differently.

networker050184

You're kidding right? I'd say using the correct form of "your" is much more important to showing professionalism in your average IT role where the vast majority of communication is done via email or phone.

higherho

networker050184 wrote: »

You're kidding right? I'd say using the correct form of "your" is much more important to showing professionalism in your average IT role where the vast majority of communication is done via email or phone.

True, very true. I was just saying that from experience. Customer support roles with big corporations is a different ball game especially if you are working close with government civilians and high ranking military officers. I guess I should have clarified my post a bit more. So the debate here is dependent on what role you play. I face consumers everyday and work with high ranking government civilians. My personality, how I talk, how I debate, constructive criticism, attitude, and how I dress / look matter just as much as the technical skills.

Now you mentioned about spelling. I agree with you and its one reason why I triple check an email before I send it out or when I type a technical document or a managerial document. However, if you cannot put a belt on your pants and you're coming to work while they drag down on you how serious do you think people will take you? You can say the same thing about spelling but teaching someone how to spell or gain IT skills is much easier than teaching someone how to take care of themselves (attitude, grooming, etc).


Now I'm not saying go around and judge people but you have to realize we are in a world that stigmas, stereotypes, attitudes, etc, exist. Is it wrong? yes.


@ main poster - I'm not saying to get rid of your tattoo's ( I like them! I would not mind a Ssj3_goku one). I would typically not show them at the workplace unless its a workplace that accepts it and my post is not directed at you or saying that you dress bad or anything. Please do not take my post differently.

Anonymouse

So would it be inappropriate that sometimes I wear my "No I will not fix your computer" shirt on casual days at work?

TLeTourneau

Anonymouse wrote: »

So would it be inappropriate that sometimes I wear my "No I will not fix your computer" shirt on casual days at work?

Casual days, what are those? It's business formal every day for me. It's even business formal for 2nd and 3rd shift.

it_consultant

RobertKaucher wrote: »

I have tattoos and I am pretty sure 90% of my friends do as well. Most people in my generation seem to (late 1970s). I will say this, though. When I dropped 125 lbs - people started treating me differently. So don't let anyone ever try to convince you that appearance does not matter.

I think in most cases it's probably not a big deal - except as others have noted for customer facing roles...

Whoa, 125 pounds is a big deal. Good for you. We just hired a sales guy and I will honestly tell you that I prejudged him based on his obesity. I have seen clients tense up when they see someone with full sleeves approach them to work on a computer. I won't say your chances are totally hosed because you have tattoos, but I would try to dress conservatively until you can ascertain your environment's flexibility to body art.

afcyung

I think its relative to the company you are working for and the image they want to display. It may not matter for entry level positions but maybe working with management or working with customers it would be unacceptable. I think it also depends on what the tattoo is. If you have a rubber ducky on your forearm that's probably more acceptable then some barb wire prison looking tat. Its also important to remember that when you are on shift you are a representative of the company and its always best to present the most professional image possible.

djfunz

I wear what others around me are wearing. I show up to the interview usually over dressed and usually conform to the standard around me.


* I just noticed I have my 100th post. Now it says senior member and I feel all warm inside.

LoMo

I'm not a tattoo person. I always iron my clothes and make sure i'm clean though.

MrRyte

TLeTourneau wrote: »

Casual days, what are those?

Those are the days on which you see every inappropriate form of attire from a person looking like they came straight from the beach or headed straight to the nightclub after work. I remember seeing one IT guy wearing flip-flops; tattered jeans and his cap to the side and a big wig just happened to do a surprise visit that day....the IT guy was gone shortly thereafter.

SteveLord

I thought I had it good here being able to wear jeans everyday. Then one day I was going to meet a server guy at the another state department here. He had cargo shorts on. (He part of a crew that is non-public facing.) I wore khakis and everything because I didn't want him to be jealous of me showing up in jeans. Pwned my ass he did.

vCole

Well, I work for NetApp. I have a half sleeve, both wrists, chest, both calves, tongue ring and 1/2" stretched lobes. (mind you, I wear shorts to work and tshirts so almost all tattoos are visible.)

But, I'm not customer facing - however, just know your stuff and most companies can over look that.