When you go in for a job interview....?

Question

This is for everyone with tattoos and/or piercings.

When you go in for a new job whether it is a fry-cook at McDonalds, a teaching posistion, or a high business whatnot, do you go as is or do you 'clean up'?

What I mean by this:

If you have numerous visible piercings or tattoos, do you take out the piercings and cover the tats or do you want them to see you as you are?

Once you get the posistion, would you reveal your piercings and/or tattoos?

In a couple of years I will get my degree and be a high school teacher. I have 10 visible (all in ear) piercings and my tattoos are all mostly hidden.

I know at my old high school the principal was ok with piercings as one teacher had his lobe stretched and another had her nose pierced.

I was just wondering at other schools and other workplaces in general.

I'd really hate to have to take my earrings out since I like them so much.

Answer 1

Hey Hey,

I worked in corporate and recruitment for years before going to uni to become a primary teacher, and from what i have seen, tattoos and piercings create and image in the interviewers mind where it doesnt matter how great you are for the job, how you look has a bigger impact.

example, a guy applied for a job that my boss advertised as vacant, but i had to screen the applicants. this guy's resume was fantastic - over qualified in my opinion, but i put him forward for the job. my boss was so excited about meeting this guy, but once he went to the reception area and saw who he was - 3 earrings, streaked hair, yet still wearing a business suit - my arrogant sod of a boss told him 'the position has been filled'. when i asked why, my boss said simply that people get the wrong impression, he didnt want someone like that working there.

mean while, i have a tattoo that i always cover up, i had a belly piercing (now taken out) and had 3 piercings in each ear, however when i started working i started wearing only one. i think its crappy how you cant be judged based on the content of your mind and whether you are right for the job, and you're judged more on how you look and what clothes/piercings you wear.

so at first, i would mainly take the piercings out and cover up, and once in the position, ease your way into being comfortable - at least the people you work with will know you for who you are and not what piercing/tat you have from the start.

hope that helps! :o)

Answer 2

I would clean up! It's kinda sad you risk gettin a job because of how you look! I have 2 tattoos myself And i'll be working in the medical field myself and they kinda look funny at the tattoo and piercings! Piercings because you can get hurt like maybe a small child or violent patient could grab on to it and do some serious damage! Tattoos I think shouldn't be looked at as if the person should be judged buy the tattoos! So just to be safe cover them up as much as possible!

Answer 3

I did a lot of recruiting for lots of types of positions throughout the years, and I would definitly clean up for the interview, regardless of where it is. They say you should always look a step above where you would be working. So, if its for McDonalds, wear nice pants and a sweater or blouse. If its for a teacher, wear a suit.

Once you get the job, I'd check the dress code, and abide by it. if it says something about piercings not being allowed, and you reveal them each day, you could be fired. If it doesn't say anything, you might be okay, but your employer could still reprimand you for being unprofessional. It all depends on the environment and the job. But, I wouldn't think you'd want to work in a job where you couldn't be yourself, right?

Answer 4

First impressions are important in any interview. However if you dress respectfully and are pleasant mannered, it should not be an issue if you have tats or piercings when being interviewed. Be warned however that some people are very closed minded about certain things like personal decorating and be it right or wrong you might be overlooked for the job if you come across as too "wild" in their eyes. Good luck job hunting.

Answer 5

Since the general population is *skiddish* about multiple piercings, especially on the face, it would probably be wise to remove them when you go for the interview. Tattoo's can be covered with long sleeves and blazer jackets. Be sure to check with the interviewer as to what the company policy is regarding tats and piercings,.. some companies are very strict about them. You can't hide who you are, .. but you descretely cover the visible things about you, that you know society has issues with. No, it's not fair,.. it's just the way it is.

Answer 6

For a job interview, you should ALWAYS cover the tats as much as possible and take out all piercings except for earrings (women only). Once you get the position (depending on what line of work it is) they may already have rules about piercings, which you should check with them first.

Answer 7

It really depends on the type of company you are interviewing with. Obviously if it's a corporate or customer facing job I highly recommend removing the piercings and covering up tats. But if the company is edgy and has an "alternative" feel then I think it would be fine.

Answer 8

I keep it clean and professional, but during the interview I will hint at the company policy about piercings and tattoos. Since I am not one to like those who shun the idea of self expression, if a job wouldn't let me be me, then I would refuse to work there.

Answer 9

Job interview questions sycks. Who came up with this crap just another way to keep you from getting a job just look over the resume and say yes or no BYTCHES

Answer 10

I've got some facial piercings, and when I take them out, you can see the holes, and it's gross. So I normally wear small, tastful pieces during the interview, and on the job.

And you can't see my tattoo, so I don't worry about that.