Tattoos Piercings in the Workplace

Tattoos Piercings in the WorkplaceTattoos Piercings in the WorkplaceWill a tattoo or piercing keep you from getting a job?It wasnt terribly long ago that the perception of the tattooed were that theyre all sailors or bikers. Today, however, that stereotype has fallen and it seems, so has the workplace tattoo taboo.The average age of the workforce in 2008 was 40.7, according to The New Workforce Age and Ethic Changes. This means the majority of new workers being hiredtoday are approximately 26-29 years old. With the skilled labor force declining as baby boomers retire, most employers have learned theyll need to welcome the growing number of tattooed and pierced candidates.Inked individuals represent a significant part of that population. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 36 percent of 18- to 25-year-olds have at least one tattoo. While 40 percent of adults aged 26 to 40 have at least one.What does this mean to you? If youre in the decorated 40 percentile theres a good chanc e your next employer has already accepted your body art.A decade ago, showing off tattoos and body piercings would be a surefire way to get your resume placed in the No Way pile. But times have changed. Those making todays hiring decisions are younger and not as adherent to traditional workplace appearance, says John Challenger, CEO of Challenger Gray Christmas.Still there are industries that are just not tolerable of tattoos or piercings. It might be some time before youll see a tattooed banker, lawyer, accountant or clergy member. Creative fields however, are often open to such expression and some even welcome it. Fields like marketing, sales and technology are inclined to be accepting of tattoos, piercings, unnatural hair colors, facial hair and other such alternative markers.Some jobs encourage individuality so much theyve listed with The Modified Mind Employment Line, a website that list companies who welcome the inked, the holed or other such modified potential employees.Oth ers say that no matter how lax weve become there are still prejudices people carry with them.While visible tattoos and body piercings have become more acceptable in hauptrichtung society, they can still carry a stigma in the white-collar workplace said Sue Thompson, a workplace consultant and speaker based in Wilmington, Del. When you present yourself in the workplace, you need to recognize that people will naturally make a judgment about how you look. You need to look like you mean business.If youre concerned about how you will be perceived during a job interview because of tattoos or piercings follow a few of these tips to get through the process unscathed.Check out the corporate culture of a job before applying or interviewing. If youre armed with this knowledge you can present yourself in the best light.Target companies that you know hire people like you. Sometimes having a friend or referral within the company can help. If youve come highly recommended HR may be willing to over look tattoos or piercings.Cover it up. Many people feel having a body art is part of who they are but if your field forbids visible tattoos keep it discreet. Without a job wholl pay for your next big piece of art?