How can I look freaky and still have a job/career???

Question

I want my hair really long and put like unnatural colored streaks through my hair, and I want more piercings and tattoos, and wear the freaky looking clothes, it's my self expression without it I feel dull and boring, so how would I be able to do that and have a job? i'm an artistic person, so i'll get an artistic job, but i'm gonna need a regular job for right now, so I can have some extra money while i'm learning how to work on websites, and if that fails and i'm forced to work a shitty job for the rest of my life, then what do I do? I see gothic raver looking girls on like vampirefreaks.com and i'm just wondering how do they look like that and have any money, because jobs don't like to hire freaky looking people.

Answer 1

I just have to say that everyone has made valid points - even if some contradict others - and should be considered. If this is the way you want to express yourself, then you will find a way to make it work - people do it everyday. Society is definitely not moving quite as fast as some of us would like, in the sense of its acceptablity of "abnormal" people, but it is s-l-o-w-l-y becoming more accepting...in places. Depending on where you live, I would say, most big cities are moving in this direction. I have worked two jobs for the last 12 years - always as a server at night (from bar environments to upscale fine dining restaurants), and with my degree being put to good use during the day, always in a professional position within an office environment...in metro areas and in the suburbs. I've worked with "normal" and "abnormal" people both over the years, and I've found that offices are becoming more accepting, especially in larger cities and moreso in cities within liberal states. Five or ten years ago, there's no way my dental hygeniest would have been allowed to have tattoos showing anywhere, but mine has several...and she works for a highly respectable, very old dentist. You are just going to have to couple the facts of the world with your desires and see what works for you... Make a decision that you know you can live with and make it work for you...

And to the people who think it's "sad" that this individual uses tattoos and piercings as a form of self-expression, I feel that it's sad that people are still close-minded enough to find THAT particular form of self-expression sad. Who are we to judge what anyone finds as their statement? I agree that society, as a whole, still expects a "normal" looking person in the work environment (like I said, everyone has made valid points). However, tattooing and piercing oneself in general shouldn't be looked down on anymore than getting the latest haircut does. That's a form of self-expression, is it not? Piercings aren't permanent, and those wanting tattoos should really be sure that's what they want, in my opinion...but that doesn't change the fact that, if we are to help speed up society's acceptance of the "abnormal", then it starts with us as individuals.

Whether or not she's a "pretty girl" is besides the point...having tattoos and piercings doesn't make her not pretty - isn't that a subjective judgement? That's the whole reason people choose tattoos and piercings AS a form of self-expression...they believe that they are enhancing themselves, as individuals, with art, with something that has meaning for them. Just because one doesn't find tattoos and piercings attractive doesn't mean one should judge that person or treat him/her any differently. It's not as if a person's decision to alter their body in these ways is causing harm to others. Tattoos aren't sad. Piercings aren't sad. People who continually judge others by their appearance only perpetuates society to continue being as unaccepting of "different" people...and to me, sad.

Answer 2

I suppose it depends on the type of job you get. I too am a very artistic person however, I work in healthcare. Bye bye lip and nose piercings and funky hair.

I'm also a writer. When I'm speaking to the public about my "other career", I can express myself through appearance any way I see fit. It's almost expected!

Sometimes you have to "conform" to the required dress codes of the establishment whether you want to or not. You won't be at your job 24/7 use the down time to be YOU. If you are intent on getting tattoos and piercings, it might be hard to excel in certain careers, but I would imagine you'd eventually find something to do. If you worked in an art shop, tattoo parlor, etc., you'd fit right in. Or perhaps you could put them where they're not readily seen? I'm not trying to talk you out of doing these things, as I'm BIG into self expression too, but I just want you to stop and think. How many big time CEO's have you seen with a pin cushion face, tattoos on every visible body part, gothic clothes and hot pink streaked hair?

Answer 3

I have 23 piercings, soon to be more. I have pink, purple, blonde, black and other crazy colored hair, I have visible tattoos and plan to get more. I work as a piercer at night.

I have a desk job during the day dealing with lots of people and important clients. My secret...NO ONE but the people I work with see me. I work via phone and email, so I can get away looking like a bit of a freak. And my boss being amazing can see that good workers come in all forms.

I got lucky, but in your case, you're gonna have to just ask every place you encounter. "Freakish" people as you say can gets jobs at Hot Topic, party stores, Spencers, try late night or night jobs doing stock, porn and fetish type lingerie shops will hire just about anyone. Or even look for a job where you know people won't see you (telemarketing, a home business)

Answer 4

How do I say this without sounding like an old poop

If you want a normal job, you have to expect to look like a normal person. I'm not saying you're not normal, by normal I mean normal as judged by the rest of society. Remember, when you work for a company you represent that company. If you work for a law firm and look like a freak, the law firm is going to look like a freak to it's clients. This is the way of the world.

Life is about compromises. I understand how you feel, I was a hippy in the 60s but because I needed a job and health care for my pregnant wife, I joined the Army and cut my hair. I didn't like it but I did what I had to do.

Answer 5

Please dont get so many piercings and tattoos. If you are truly an artist and creative they why would u feel dull and boring without those tattoos? Something is not right. I do not know you but I am sure you can get by without all that. Who do you think business are going to hire? The girl with all the tattoos and piercings or the girl without them? In an interview they look at those things. Jobs are very picky about it. I wouldnt do it if i was u unless you are working somewhere that you know wont mind.

Answer 6

sorry to say - society does judge people by what they wear and how they look - tatoos, hair color and freaky clothes will usually make an employer take a step back and think that you might not fit into their social setting.Wanting to be different is your dicision, but whether they hire you is theirs - you could try to get a job where you feel you would be comfortable and fit in - a tatoo palor or even some stores at the mall, or you could tame your wild side and cover tats up and get a job with normal looking people- u gotta work to live, so whatever you decide is up to you - good luck and be your own person...

Answer 7

Exactly what you said. It depends on the job. Unnatural modifications will limit the kind of jobs you can have, so it will be important to find out a company dress policy well before you apply anywhere. Look for jobs like telemarketing where there will be little customer interaction, or look into working at something like Hot Topic to make some quick cash (with the holidays coming up it shouldn't be too difficult). There are jobs out there for unique individuals like yourself, you just have to keep looking.

Answer 8

I think it's kind of sad that you find the only way to express yourself is to draw attention to yourself by dressing in as you say "freaky looking clothes" and have piercings and tattoos. You really can express yourself in other ways. I bet you are very pretty, and one day you will regret the tattoos and piercings. I'm sure of it. Please reconsider, it's not necessary. You can really can express yourself and not be dull and boring without going to this extreme measure....Really, if you want a career worth having, you're right, most people will not hire you or find you credible. I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 9

A lot of places are really anal about visible body piercings/tattoos. I would suggest either getting piercings/tats where the public cannot see them (at least until you are in your own career), or just hold off on the more visible ones until you can be in your career, where it doesn't matter how many you have.

Answer 10

Apply for jobs at places you shop for your stuff!! And maybe work at clubs you like or learn to be a makeup artist to others that wanna look that, it can be your artistic specialty..... ;)