Tattoos & Corporate Jobs

Hello Sythe.

So I've been wanting a tattoo for 5 years now, and within a few years I'm moving out of my parents house and living on my own. Currently in college finishing up my business degree, and was wondering if tattoo's would hurt/limit the amount of jobs I could get in the corporate world.

I don't want a full sleeve, just a few simple ones that I already have in mind & have a lot of meaning behind. I'm planning to get tattoo's in this area, similar to the pictures below:



and



Do any of you guys have experience in a corporate job? If so, how has tattoos affected yourself or anyone you know in this line of work? Thanks

 

Yes. Visible tattoos will potentially hurt your chances of getting hired. I have a tattoo, and was told I was never to reveal it in my business casual attire.

 

Where are your tattoos man?

 

On my lower leg, business casual hardly ever means wearing shorts, and they still took the time to address the fact that I have a tattoo, and how it could lose me my job or disruptive attire and unprofessional image for our clients

 

Don't do it. Or at least wait until you aren't looking to get hired/have a stable and secure position.

 

Alright, thanks.

 

I work for a city government in Southern California in an entry level position. The basic rule is if it is visible, it cannot be obscene, grotesque, gang, etc. 90% of people above me wear formal attire daily, and only those who appear before the pubic are "highly suggested" to not have tatoos. So check with your company, as I know my boss making $75k a year in an office job has a few small tatoos.

 

Hmm thats interesting, sadly not all jobs have the same protocol regarding tattoos. This gets me thinking really, as I am still in college and pretty eager to get a tattoo. I guess I should put the idea to the side for now, or at least till I get a stable job that allows the use of tattoos.

Thanks for your input

 

If you're looking to work a corporate job getting a tattoo is a terrible idea.

 

Generally if it's visible you're out of luck. If you can cover it, no big deal.

 

Kinda figured that from the last few responses, thanks.

So nothing below the elbow, nothing above the collarbone?

 

Whatever you do, don't get a neck tattoo. That will definitely hurt your chances!
I'd say nothing above collar bone and nothing on your hands or around your ankles. That way you can just wear long sleeve shirts and long pants to cover them.

 

Dammit, really wanted the neck tattoo. But alright, guess im crossing that out.

Thanks for the advice!

 

If you want to be taken seriously in a business profession dont get visible tattoo's. People go off first impressions and tattoo's are related to gangs, prisons, bikers, low class. This is what ive gathered from my experience living in america and being apart of a professional work setting. (These arnt my opinions just what ive experienced and seen)

example: What's your first impression of someone with "Thug LYFE" tattoo'd on their hands? Im not proud of my answer but it usually consists of " What a trashy ignorant fuck"

 

This, through and through. I'm unsure on legislation where you're from but, I am aware that in NZ an employer is unable to discriminate/fire someone thereafter employment for finding out their employee has a tattoo. But, to avoid any disruptions, don't get a tattoo that is visible and you are fine. I have 2 sleeves that can be covered with long sleeves and I have maintained a corporate-style job before with 0 issues.

 

Of course I don't plan on getting a tattoo that says "Thug LYFE". I also do plan to spend for a top quality artist as well, knowing this is gonna be on my skin forever.

Unfortunately we don't have a law regarding that sort of thing. I'm planning to get one on my upper arm that would extend down to just below my elbow, enough to be covered when I roll my sleeves up. Appreciate the help, thanks!

 

I haven't read any replies so I may be reciting what other's have said.

The upper arm/ forearm tattoos should be fine for any shirt wearing job. Just keep them private through the induction stages of getting employment. However, any tattoos on the neck/face or any tattoo you cannot hide is a very bad idea for the corporate world. You'll stand a very high chance of being declined for that reason alone so it will very much damage your ability to pass interviews.

I've got friends who've been declined into the military in the UK because of the neck tattoos. Some are currently undergoing tattoo removal, they look good in my opinion. However, it's not the opinion of the majority.

 

Yeah I've pretty much ruled out the idea of getting a tattoo on the neck, guess im gonna have to stick with the upper arm/ upper part of forearm.

Wow thats weird, why would the military care about what tattoos you have? The last thing I'd want to do is invest money into getting a tattoo done, then a couple years later investing twice that amount for laser.

 

My step dad works in mta and has a bunch of tattoos on his upper arm. I've even seen him wear short sleeves that expose some of it. It seems they've gotten more lenient with the acceptance of tattoos, but I wouldn't get any myself.

 

100% this. you should not have tattoos in visible places, though i do know of at least one person who has one hidden on her wrist