Physical appearance.

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?

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Turgon

The other thing to bare in mind is that if the person doing the hiring takes on someone with tattoos on their knuckles then someone more senior to the hiring manager may wonder what on earth where they thinking...Im just saying. Similarly if the guy turns out to be a bad hire he will be referred to as the one with tattooed knuckles. It's a bad look for the hiring manager. Judgement.

rsutton

The generation of folks born in the 70's+ are more tolerant of body art than previous generations. In my experience, I've found that people currently in their 50's or older look less favorably on tattoos. That group of people is often times the senior management group (CxO style). It's a variable that may or may not affect your career, personally I wouldn't worry much about it.

it_consultant

I have to say, of all the possible physical appearance problems out there, tattoos are way low on my list. In my experience the top offender for IT people is personal hygiene. This includes washed body, clothes, and hair and presenting (to borrow from my time in the AF) a neat, clean, and wrinkle free appearance. Tattoos are down there with shoes that are not shined, just not a huge concern.

Mike-Mike

I agree with the above, tattoo's are fine, but keep your appearance neat and clean. If someone had a full sleeve and tattto'd hands, but was in a pressed clean shirt/tie/slacks, clean shave, well kept hair... well to me that would trounce someone who had no tatts but was dressed sloppy and looked unclean

Turgon

Mike-Mike wrote: »

I agree with the above, tattoo's are fine, but keep your appearance neat and clean. If someone had a full sleeve and tattto'd hands, but was in a pressed clean shirt/tie/slacks, clean shave, well kept hair... well to me that would trounce someone who had no tatts but was dressed sloppy and looked unclean

Tats are not fine if you are in a customer facing role. Many of the best paying IT roles have an increasingly commercial aspect these days. Clients do not like tattoos. Cover them or see a doctor for laser treatment.

reppgoa

Turgon wrote: »

Tats are not fine if you are in a customer facing role. Many of the best paying IT roles have an increasingly commercial aspect these days. Clients do not like tattoos. Cover them or see a doctor for laser treatment.

Thats your opinion, and a very narrow minded one at that. Actually, I wouldn't even call it an opinion as opinions are based on fact, yours is more of a belief or stereotype.

There are plenty of very forward thinking companies out there, Google and Facebook come to mind. They realize that just because someone has tattoos doesn't mean they are a thug, criminal, or any other derogatory term you want to choose. And guess what, those are the companies that are doing better than most of their competitors.

If you have the skills to do the job, you will get hired.

Turgon

reppgoa wrote: »

Thats your opinion, and a very narrow minded one at that. Actually, I wouldn't even call it an opinion as opinions are based on fact, yours is more of a belief or stereotype.

If you have the skills to do the job, you will get hired.

Nonsense. This isn't a narrow minded personal opinion thing. Its based on observation in the field over many years. I work alongside a lot of people who do this sort of work. Not a visible tat in site. Most people doing commercial IT work and mixing face to face with VP and C level clients dont work for hip companies that are relaxed about programme tats. As for myself Im not tat averse.

networker050184

Turgon wrote: »

Nonsense. This isn't a narrow minded personal opinion thing. Its based on observation in the field over many years. I work alongside a lot of people who do this sort of work. Not a visible tat in site. Most people doing commercial IT work and mixing face to face with VP and C level clients dont work for hip companies that are relaxed about programme tats. As for myself Im not tat averse.

Unfortunately I'd have to agree with Turgon here. Even as someone with visible tattoos. If a company is putting you in front of clients they are going to prefer you to be as clean cut as possible. That's just the way it is right or wrong. Even if the company itself is accepting they most likely aren't going to take the chance on a big client.

That said there are plenty non customer facing roles in the industry.

ABNNBC

Like it or not, appearance is your first impression. I agree with all of the customer facing job comments. Spent 20 years in the Army and have zero tattoos, just not my thing. However, as long as they are covered it’s a mute point during an interview or on the job. Tattoos that cannot be covered on your hands, neck, or heaven forbid your face will likely cause problems at some point in your career.

MrRyte

reppgoa wrote: »

Thats your opinion, and a very narrow minded one at that. Actually, I wouldn't even call it an opinion as opinions are based on fact, yours is more of a belief or stereotype.

There are plenty of very forward thinking companies out there, Google and Facebook come to mind. They realize that just because someone has tattoos doesn't mean they are a thug, criminal, or any other derogatory term you want to choose. And guess what, those are the companies that are doing better than most of their competitors.

If you have the skills to do the job, you will get hired.

Google and Facebook aren't the best examples. When was the last time that you or anyone else you know dealt with an employee from either company face to face? And the fact is that there are some HR people who still hold on to their beliefs and stereotypes when it comes to a candidates outward appearance. The potential employee is thinking about representing himself to the company; the potential company is thinking about this potential employee will represent the company to the public and potential clients.

vCole

Turgon wrote: »

Nonsense. This isn't a narrow minded personal opinion thing. Its based on observation in the field over many years. I work alongside a lot of people who do this sort of work. Not a visible tat in site. Most people doing commercial IT work and mixing face to face with VP and C level clients dont work for hip companies that are relaxed about programme tats. As for myself Im not tat averse.

Not sure if I agree with this. However, may be different where you are. I live in the Boston, MA area. I have done customer facing roles, prior to my work at NetApp without issue. (My hands are not tattooed, however both of my wrists are. and 1/2" stretched lobes.) Never had an issue with a customer complaining about my appearance, just how professional I am.

SteveLord

It was YOUR choice to modify your body....knowing full well what effect it might have in your life when others see it. Don't forget that. I am not against it, but I am against some nut demanding "All potential employers should accept me for my 80s era mohawk and barbed wire tattoos!" Society will not move as quick as you'd like...so be realistic here.

Also, on the subject...I wanted to lay out the employment requirements for a local heating/cooling company. I don't know of anyone else that does this. Tough, but I've dealt with them many times for my furnace/AC....and their guys are some of the most top notch professionals I've ever worked with.

DRUG FREE - We will conduct a pre-employment drug test and all team members are tested random every month.

CLEAR BACKGROUND - We will conduct an extensive nationwide criminal background check.

CLEAN CUT - We are looking for well groomed professionals. Business-like appearance and no facial hair. No visible tattoos.

CLEAN DRIVING RECORD - Our team members must show that they are considerate law abiding drivers.

TOBACCO FREE - Our team does not use tobacco in or around our vehicles, building, or clients home or our service is free.

EXCELLENT COMMUNICATOR - Communication skills are of the utmost importance to a Service Legend. These skills are required by all.

WHATEVER IT TAKES ATTITUDE - Each team member must do whatever it takes to have each client say "I love those guys!"

Blackout

So im digging up the corpse of my own thread. Decided I don't want to have my tattoo's reflect negatively on my family, so today I started laser removal. gonna be 1500 dollars less in my wallet, but I think there is a ton of upside to getting them removed.

Everyone

I don't have any tattoos or piercings, so I can't really identify in that area, but I have worked wither directly for, or with, the Military for most of my career.

I have been hired site unseen before, but I don't think that is common. In that instance everything was done over the phone, and I didn't meet my manager until after I finished new employee orientation, which was like my 3rd day of work. For the job I had now, another manager saw me in person, but I didn't meet my manager face to face until I'd already been working here for 8 months.

Your communication skills, the way you speak, and the way you carry yourself, can probably overcome some appearance challenges. If you lack confidence, are difficult to understand, or bore me, I'd be more likely to start noticing little things about your appearance during an interview. If you came in dressed nice, were confident, spoke clearly, and kept my attention, I probably wouldn't notice/care about tattoos.

crrussell3

All I can say is "NASA Mohawk guy" anyone? His choice in hair style doesn't seem to have hurt his career choices.

As long as you are well groomed, clean, etc, why should hair style/color, tattoos or piercings matter, as long as they aren't offensive.

powerfool

I forgot all about this thread. I have really let my grooming standards go, in terms of my hair, in the past several months. I can grab a handful on the back of my neck which I used to have to the skin and cut weekly to semi-weekly. Also, my facial hair is about an inch long now. I thought it was going to be a problem for a recent interview, but I ended up getting hired straight from the phone interview. Still thinking about getting things in check before my start date, though.

kurosaki00

Like others have said
Usually if you follow dress code nothing else matters (I mean, be clean n stuff).

When its a first hand face to face position then it could vary
In my company they hire a lot of pretty ladies for positions like that lol
(its true)

lsud00d

I'm finally at a place in my career where I have no problem going in with my beard to an interview, which is how I am 99% of the year. Not a long beard mind you, ranges from a 3-7 with a standard trimmer depending on time of year (makes a nice face warmer in the winter!). If you want me (which you do), the beard comes with me

nel

Blackout wrote: »

So im digging up the corpse of my own thread. Decided I don't want to have my tattoo's reflect negatively on my family, so today I started laser removal. gonna be 1500 dollars less in my wallet, but I think there is a ton of upside to getting them removed.

Sounds like a good investment dude.

I dont have anything against tatts. Infact i would love a full sleeve! I just dont have the b*lls to go for it. I know a guy who is in a high position for a global bank. He has sleeves but these are always covered. As a result, its never stopped him progressing.

I always go by the rule that you should be able to cover them up for work. From my experience, i have found tatts can be accepted internally, although some managers frown upon dealing directly with someone who has visible tatts. External facing roles are a big no no for visible tatts.

Good luck mate.

phalx

I think you made a good choice in getting them removed. I want to preface my comments with the fact that I have nothing against tattoos and have several friends that have them. I had piercings when I was younger as well. That being said, I had a big shot CEO type tell me once "Wealthy people put art on their walls, poor people put it on their bodies." While I don't completely agree with the sentiment, I understand that a lot of the managers who decide promotions think this way. Additionally, if you can keep the tattoos hidden from your workers with long-sleeves, it shouldn't matter. However, knuckle-tattoos will probably cause you to be rejected from any client-facing roles. Good luck with your career, you are doing the right thing in my opinion.

effekted

I've been with my employer for nearly 6 years and while in Operations I had gauges and a mohawk for a period of time, wasn't a problem even during client visits. Now I'm in the IT Dept so generally away in an office aside from client tours, etc. and am probably around 3 months into a no shave beard. Nothing but compliments on the beard! No intentions on shaving unless I am looking for another job at the end of Q1, but even then I should keep the beard and hired for the epicness of my beard.

WiseWun

Just checked to see who pumped up a 2011 thread because I recall seeing it in the past. Thank god it was the OP! Smart move on removing your tats.

Blackout

Just the Knuckles! My sleeves are staying, I can just cover them up with long sleeves. I just don't want to be immediately judged based on the first visible tattoo they see. Its unfortunate but perception is reality, so I need to change the perception so my future can become a reality

Roguetadhg

Yeah, it's one of the main reasons if I was to ever put down the money on a sleeve, it'd be a half-sleeve.

DevilWAH

Blackout wrote: »

Just the Knuckles! My sleeves are staying, I can just cover them up with long sleeves. I just don't want to be immediately judged based on the first visible tattoo they see. Its unfortunate but perception is reality, so I need to change the perception so my future can become a reality

I once interviews some one for a client facing position who had the classical "LOVE HATE" across their knuckles. If it had been a artistic band round here wrist, or over there hand it may might have given a different image. But it did look tacky and if it had been a technical role where they where not representing the company to clients I would have over looked it. In this case it just sent the wrong image. the way he dressed and carried him self did not help his image either.

I also have asked some one I was interviewing to role up there sleeves so we could admire his tattoos, they were real works of art, and while they did show if he rolled up his sleeves, and crept above his collar they were not vulgar. He was dressed smartly, clean cut and engaging to talk to. It was clear he was very conscious of how he looked and was out to impress.

Hypntick

Yeah our project manager has full sleeves, pretty good work too. However as he is client facing a good portion of the time, he's in a suit most of the day. I'm just happy they let me wear my earrings here, they're not huge gauged or anything, I just thought it silly that in my last position, even though I was not customer facing, they frowned on them. Then again they also wanted us in slacks and dress shirts to sit in the office or even to go to the data center.

darkerz

Formal, tucked in shirt, belt, pressed and clean blue or black jeans and sometimes an over sweater/coat/thing sports thing because I get cold easily.

Shave and groom, keep the hair tidy and make the effort, people notice.

I can't stand formal pants, my jeans are a form of rebellion I suppose.