Could tattoos make tough job search toughe

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Could tattoos make tough job search toughe
July 22, 2010
Central Valley Business Times

As job seekers try to find new ways to stand out from the crowd at a time when the pace of job creation remains brutally slow, some are undoubtedly asking themselves if their tattoos and body piercings are helping them stand out but in a negative way.
But John Challenger, chief executive officer of outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc., says while some employers might frown upon conspicuous body art, the practice is becoming so commonplace that companies would be severely limiting the pool of candidates if they rejected everyone with a tattoo or nose ring.
“Employers’ anti-tattoo stance probably softened considerably during the labor shortages of the late 1990s. Today, even in this tight job market, most companies are not going to view tattoos too harshly. One reason is that with everyone from soccer moms to MIT computer science graduates sporting tattoos, preconceptions about tattooed individuals are no longer valid.
“Secondly, and more importantly, companies have a vested interest in hiring the most qualified candidate,” says Mr. Challenger.
Indeed, employers might have a difficult time finding candidates without some type of body embellishment. Overall, the Food and Drug Administration estimates that as many as 45 million Americans have at least one tattoo.
A 2010 Pew Research Center report on Millennials (18- to 29-year-olds) revealed that 38 percent have tattoos. Tattooed Gen Xers aged 30 to 45 were not far behind at 32 percent.
Despite concerns of how potential employers and others might perceive tattoos and piercings, a surprisingly large percentage do not make any efforts to conceal them. While the majority of people keep their tattoos covered, the Pew Research study found that 30 percent of tattooed Millennials have their body art on full display for the public. Additionally, nearly one in four (23 percent) Millennials have a piercing somewhere other than the ear lobe.
“Two decades ago, showing off tattoos and body piercings would be a surefire way to get your resume placed in the ‘No Way!’ pile. Times have changed. Those making the hiring decisions are younger and not as adherent to traditions about workplace appearance,” says Mr. Challenger.
“There are definitely certain industries where more conservative standards of appearance persist. We may never see visible tattoos on bankers, lawyers, accountants or the clergy. However, areas such as advertising, marketing, sales and technology are more inclined to be progressive and more accepting of new fashion and lifestyle trends,” he says.
“As a job seeker, you have to judge whether the employer you are interviewing with is going to be accepting of your body art. If that is not the case, and that is where you really want to work, then you will have to make an effort to conceal your tattoos and take out your piercings,” advises Mr. Challenger.
And as for piercings: Beware! With increased security at many corporate offices, too much bling could set off metal detectors. “You do not want to be late to the interview because you were forced to remove 12 body piercings at the security desk,” he says.