Tattoos And Getting A Job

[deloriagod]

So I'm planning on getting my second (or second and third) tattoo when I turn 18 (which means I have a year left to plan). Basically, I'm going to get 2 lines of Chinese kanji (4 characters per line). One line will say "Never give up" and the other will say "Fear nothing". My original idea was to have them going down my left calf. No big deal, easy to cover and they'll rarely be seen (they'll also be small). But they're something I really want to be able to see. So for the past few days I've been been thinking maybe my wrists (underneath) would be a good place. I could always see them and that's what I want. But I have a problem..

 

 

 

How is that going to affect me getting a job after college?

 

 

 

I want a professional job, but at the same time I'm sickened to think I'm going to be going off into a world where body art is looked down apon. I'm truely afraid 2 simple saying that I live by being permenantly on my wrists is going to cost me a shot at living a great life.

 

 

 

I've been told be a couple of guys who have tattoos on their forearms that I would basically need to cover the tattoos during the interview, but what happens if I get the job, and suddenly I'm wearing a short sleeve shirt and my boss turns out to be one of those people who hates tattoos?

 

 

 

I actually have a plan if I can't find a good steady job, but I don't want to have to go with that right away.

 

 

 

I'm really going back and forth on this one.. Luckily I have a year to think about it.. So what do you guys think? Should I go through with it, get what I want to say to hell with anyone who doesn't like it? Or should I wait until I've got a steady just, then do it?

 

 

 

Anyone here have any experience of trying to get a job with visible tattoos or know of any real troubles?

[Rebdragon]

What's wrong with just getting tattoo(s) on the shoulders? If I ever get a tattoo (and I believe I will), I'd just put it there. When you don't want to show it, it's hidden. When you want to, it's not. Much easier to deal with than on the calf or wrist, if you ask me.

[Satenza]

Don't let the man hold you back.

[deloriagod]

What's wrong with just getting tattoo(s) on the shoulders? If I ever get a tattoo (and I believe I will), I'd just put it there. When you don't want to show it, it's hidden. When you want to, it's not. Pretty simple.

 

 

 

I've got a tattoo on my right shoulder already. I don't want anything on the other shoulder unless I decide I'm actually to do a tribal design that will run from my bicep, up my shoulder, and down my chest. I want the kanji somewhere I can see because it's a simple reminder. Also, when you're in the general public, a lot more people talk to you if they see you have tattoo. It's a great conversation starter, but I the corporate world has their own opinions.. :?

 

 

 

Don't let the man hold you back.

 

 

 

Hah, that's totally going to be my opening statement when my parents freak out if I get those tattoos :thumbsup:

[Rebdragon]

What's wrong with just getting tattoo(s) on the shoulders? If I ever get a tattoo (and I believe I will), I'd just put it there. When you don't want to show it, it's hidden. When you want to, it's not. Pretty simple.

 

 

 

I've got a tattoo on my right shoulder already. I don't want anything on the other shoulder unless I decide I'm actually to do a tribal design that will run from my bicep, up my shoulder, and down my chest. I want the kanji somewhere I can see because it's a simple reminder. Also, when you're in the general public, a lot more people talk to you if they see you have tattoo. It's a great conversation starter, but I the corporate world has their own opinions.. :?

 

Ah, so you want it to be seen fairly easily :-k . I assumed that you already had a tattoo on your shoulder from your post, but if I was in your position I'd still prefer to have the second tattoo on the other shoulder. So my opinion might not really help in this situation :-k .

[Necromagus]

You're going to have to accept that when you're moving in certain social circles, certain things might be looked down upon, especially if you're working with clients. As long as parts of society have a negative attitude towards people with visual tattoos, companies have a perfectly reasonable reason not to hire you if you do decide to get them.

[Nom]

I believe The Five Man Electrical Band had something to say on this subject.

 

 

 

I understand the dilemma. I would definitely feel like saying to hell with it but then, you can't control what the boss wants. And what the boss wants matters, unfortunately. Personally I would have it on a less visible area, solve a lot of problems. But you want it to bee seen, so I don't know :-k

[Bubsa]

You're going to have to accept that when you're moving in certain social circles, certain things might be looked down upon, especially if you're working with clients. As long as parts of society have a negative attitude towards people with visual tattoos, companies have a perfectly reasonable reason not to hire you if you do decide to get them.

 

 

 

Very well said.

 

Although, it wouldn't be a travesty if you had to wear long sleeves all the time. Besides, short sleeves and tie looks ridiculous.

[Satenza]

Most short sleeve shirts look ridiculous full stop --> .

 

 

 

Long sleeve and roll up is where its at.

[Necromagus]

Well, that's why I said visible (I know, messed that one up in my original post :oops:) tattoos. I don't think you should be refused a job for anything that can be covered up. I actually know a girl that had to get a neck tattoo removed that she got when she was 16. She was going to be a kindergarten teacher.

[Lenin64]

You're going to have to accept that when you're moving in certain social circles, certain things might be looked down upon, especially if you're working with clients. As long as parts of society have a negative attitude towards people with visual tattoos, companies have a perfectly reasonable reason not to hire you if you do decide to get them.

 

 

 

Very well said.

 

Although, it wouldn't be a travesty if you had to wear long sleeves all the time. Besides, short sleeves and tie looks ridiculous.

 

I think he meant he didn't want to wear a short sleeved shirt to work, where he might not have to wear a tie, not during the interview, when he definetely would. So Boss sees the tattoo after he has job, he gets fired.

[deloriagod]

You're going to have to accept that when you're moving in certain social circles, certain things might be looked down upon, especially if you're working with clients. As long as parts of society have a negative attitude towards people with visual tattoos, companies have a perfectly reasonable reason not to hire you if you do decide to get them.

 

 

 

Very well said.

 

Although, it wouldn't be a travesty if you had to wear long sleeves all the time. Besides, short sleeves and tie looks ridiculous.

 

I think he meant he didn't want to wear a short sleeved shirt to work, where he might not have to wear a tie, not during the interview, when he definetely would. So Boss sees the tattoo after he has job, he gets fired.

 

 

 

I don't mind wearing long sleeve dress shirts. I'm actually not a big fan of short sleeved ones. I'm just thinkin' there's no way I'm wearing a sweatshirt on casual dress days. Or if I end up somewhere that doesn't make you dress up real nice for work.

 

 

 

Hell, I enjoy remodeling. I could just work in that..

[The Real ET]

You're going to have to accept that when you're moving in certain social circles, certain things might be looked down upon, especially if you're working with clients. As long as parts of society have a negative attitude towards people with visual tattoos, companies have a perfectly reasonable reason not to hire you if you do decide to get them.

 

 

 

Very well said.

 

Although, it wouldn't be a travesty if you had to wear long sleeves all the time. Besides, short sleeves and tie looks ridiculous.

 

I think he meant he didn't want to wear a short sleeved shirt to work, where he might not have to wear a tie, not during the interview, when he definetely would. So Boss sees the tattoo after he has job, he gets fired.

 

 

 

I don't mind wearing long sleeve dress shirts. I'm actually not a big fan of short sleeved ones. I'm just thinkin' there's no way I'm wearing a sweatshirt on casual dress days. Or if I end up somewhere that doesn't make you dress up real nice for work.

 

 

 

Hell, I enjoy remodeling. I could just work in that..

 

 

 

If you're stressing like this don't get them at all. I'm not a fan of body art and permenantly marking my body, but that's just me. If all else fails just get them on your chest. No one can see it and if you want to just take off your shrit and stare yourself in the mirror. :P

[deloriagod]

You're going to have to accept that when you're moving in certain social circles, certain things might be looked down upon, especially if you're working with clients. As long as parts of society have a negative attitude towards people with visual tattoos, companies have a perfectly reasonable reason not to hire you if you do decide to get them.

 

 

 

Very well said.

 

Although, it wouldn't be a travesty if you had to wear long sleeves all the time. Besides, short sleeves and tie looks ridiculous.

 

I think he meant he didn't want to wear a short sleeved shirt to work, where he might not have to wear a tie, not during the interview, when he definetely would. So Boss sees the tattoo after he has job, he gets fired.

 

 

 

I don't mind wearing long sleeve dress shirts. I'm actually not a big fan of short sleeved ones. I'm just thinkin' there's no way I'm wearing a sweatshirt on casual dress days. Or if I end up somewhere that doesn't make you dress up real nice for work.

 

 

 

Hell, I enjoy remodeling. I could just work in that..

 

 

 

If you're stressing like this don't get them at all. I'm not a fan of body art and permenantly marking my body, but that's just me. If all else fails just get them on your chest. No one can see it and if you want to just take off your shrit and stare yourself in the mirror. :P

 

 

 

I actually plan on getting a big Hawaiian fishing hook on the left side of my chest. But I'm not really stressing, I'm just trying to decide if it's really worth it to get them on my wrists. If all else fails, they'll end up on my left calf as I originally planned but I really like the idea of having them on my wrists. I looked into maybe doing white ink but then it would just look like I was some emo kid who carved the symbols into his arm. Plus it appearently doesn't last a whole long time (but it looks cool as hell under a black light).

[xvillexvalox]

I'm highly sure you can't get a job for the FBI or CIA if you have a tattoo, or any other high secrety gov't job.

 

 

 

For business-office jobs you'll have to conceal the tattoos to remain business-like.

 

 

 

Luckily I'm going into genetics or anouther advancing feild of science where labcoats always conceal and no one really cares how you look as long as you're smart enough to do the job.

[meol]

My sister face the same dilemma as you, so she chose to get the tattoo (it's a Chinese Dragon) on her back. It's easy to hide, and easy to show (it's easier for a woman than for a man, but you get the point). So you could always pick the back or the chest, IMO.

[zaquierming]

Most likely, if it's a job that tattoos would be a problem, you won't be wearing short sleeves anyways. Even so, it's easily covered up by a watch or bracelet. Tattoos are becoming more accepted anyways.

 

 

 

I actually plan on getting a big Hawaiian fishing hook on the left side of my chest. But I'm not really stressing, I'm just trying to decide if it's really worth it to get them on my wrists. If all else fails, they'll end up on my left calf as I originally planned but I really like the idea of having them on my wrists. I looked into maybe doing white ink but then it would just look like I was some emo kid who carved the symbols into his arm. Plus it appearently doesn't last a whole long time (but it looks cool as hell under a black light).

 

 

 

"glow in the dark" tattoos are dangerous, if that's what you're talking about.

[knives669]

Just don't get one in an area in which someone may see. I plan on getting a tattoo when I'm older, but it will be on my back and won't affect my prospect of getting a job. :P

[deloriagod]

 

 

 

"glow in the dark" tattoos are dangerous, if that's what you're talking about.

 

 

 

It's not glow in the dark. It's white ink so it basically works the same way a white shirt would under a black light. However I'm not a really pale guy so the tattoo would probably fade after a couple of years and basically look like a scar the entire time it showed.

[angryjoe]

Get it on your forearm, then its not as visible to other people but you can still see it if you want to.

[mrmyk]

Hmm.... tatoo's are something which you want people to see but in this case you don't want people to see it (at least your boss). I wouldn't not hire someone unless they had like giant tatoo's across arms and everything but it seems you want something small so i see no problem with something at the top of your arm :) Perhaps so high up that no one can see it unless you wear .a tank top or no shirt.

[Led-Zeppelin]

My Dad is a car salesman and owns his own car yard, he has a tattoo on his forearm, of a eagle grabbing a snake, got it when he was really young, in his teens. He has always regretted it, more so the locality then the actual tat. Being in the business he is in, he's always had to wear long sleeves, even all through winter.

 

 

 

I will be getting a tat myself, but my chest and my back will be my canvas, as I am going to be a cop.

[Mercifull]

Like some others have said, if you get it high up on your arm or on your shoulder area then it will be easily covered up by a tshirt or regular shirt and thus will not affect any job prospects. Having a tattoo anywhere else shouldn't affect your chances but they do. You might however want to try something a bit more original than having Chinese letters. *yawn boring*

[Led-Zeppelin]

Like some others have said, if you get it high up on your arm or on your shoulder area then it will be easily covered up by a tshirt or regular shirt and thus will not affect any job prospects. Having a tattoo anywhere else shouldn't affect your chances but they do. You might however want to try something a bit more original than having Chinese letters. *yawn boring*

 

 

 

Yeah, I agree, I haven't decided what I'm going to get done myself, but I plan on designing it myself, something unique. So many people have tatts in Chinese and Arabic, and tribal stuff, just far to cliche.

[deloriagod]

You might however want to try something a bit more original than having Chinese letters. *yawn boring*

 

 

 

I have to say, at least I'm not one of those people getting a kanji tat just because it looks pretty. The words actually mean something to me. But I've already got a tiki on fire on my shoulder, I plan on getting Hawaiian fishing hook on my chest, and I want to get one or two others besides the kanji though I haven't picked places or designs. The kanji is going to be fairly small (probably ~3 inches from start to finish) and like I said, it something to me, so I'm going to get it one way or another.

 

 

 

I do have to say, I like the idea of placing it further up my forearm to be more easily hidden during interviews.. I've been talking to some guys from a tattoo forum and they think I should wait until I establish my career before getting them done..