Tattoos and the business world? Ive done a lot of research just need some people with experience here...?

Question

Hey everyone, I really want to get a few tattoos, Im 21 years old, but I am definitely waiting till Im older just to make sure I want what I have in mind, or that I dont get bored of what Im thinking of, etc. ...., Im going to be in sales, business manager, or something like that and kind of know that I am going to making pretty good money. Has anyone had a problem with having a tattoo even if it is a place you can cover up with a good salary? I want to be able to hide mine, not just for work but because I like some spots better than others so no offense to those with tats showing I think thats awesome.

So I guess anyone out there with 6 figure salaries or close to that, that have tats and have had problems even if they are covered? Also do you regret them? I dont care how I look when Im 80, but do you still like the design or picture of what you got.

Sorry for it being so long and scattered, but those are the only things im worried about...thanks a lot everyone in advanced

Sorry for another detail, i just didnt want anyone to think that im saying you can't have a good salary with a tattoo, i meant kind of like a good job or had problem with your employer, clients and stuff like that...i know many people can have great salaries with ink all over just meant more of buisiness world type thing

Answer 1

I have 3 tatts and make good $$$. It really depends on the type of job. With sales and marketing alot of time is spent with clients so the ink needs to be able to covered with your business attire, whether that be a dress shirt or a golf shirt. I play golf from time to time with my clients, so a tattoo on my hand, wrist or forearm is out of the question. Mine are high on my arm and shoulder blades. Sure people may be more accepting about ink than they used to be, but the workplace is still (depending on your industry) pretty conservative, especially when you deal with the Senior ranking executives.

Answer 2

I make a very good salary compared to the US National average (in the range you're looking for) and I am in the process of getting a full sleeve (my entire arm). I work in short sleeves at least 50% of the time, and I deal with customers on a regular basis.

I'm not in sales, so that will make some difference for you, but I think you'll find that most people, when dealing with you professionally, will be professional about it. they will work with you based on the work you do, not what you look like. If you're talking about direct sales, like a car salesman or something, I would say just keep them where they aren't visible to your customers and you'll be fine. Most people will be fine with visible tattoos, as long as they are not skulls and nude women, and they are done well, but it will have some effect.

The important question you have to ask yourself is whether the tattoos are more important to you than the money is. Once you know the answer to that question, you won't need the answer to this one, because you'll already have it.

I started my first tattoo at 25 and if I ever thought I'd regret it, I wouldn't have gotten them. I currently have a half sleeve on my right arm, and I'm working on my left sleeve/quarter panel (full rib cage connected with the sleeve) then I'll get one on my leg to commemorate the death of my best friend. If people have a problem with my tattoos, it's their problem, not mine.

Answer 3

I am 25 and I have tattoos and piercings and I am an investment banker. I made them noticeable and visable when I went in for my interview. Not a word was said. I have always been in the more professional line and never once has anything been said about my appearance. I have my noise and tongue and I have tattoos on my wrist and ankles and back. So I think these days it really doesn't matter as much. However one thing I have heard is with tattoos on the neck are highly liked in the business world. Most tattoo shops these days will not tattoo your neck unless you already have ink on it. I actually had this happen to me.

Answer 4

no job should be affected by having tattoos that are not visible when in the office environment. no matter how little or how much money you make i have never heard of a potential employer asking the person to strip down for a tattoo search. the only jobs i can think of where tattoos could be a problem is modeling.
as for visible tattoos... it's really hit and miss. some offices don't care at all about tattoos and others have strict policies about them. but if you are only planning on getting tattoos that will be hidden while in office wear then there is no reason to worry about future job prospects.

Answer 5

Generally if they can by covered up it doesn't matter.

If they are visible, that's the first think people look at in an interview. We had a woman interview and she had a tiny cross on her hand between her thumb and pointer finger. She was smarter than the rest of the applicants but the head of the company said, "Have a nice day" the second he saw the tattoo. Obviously it's not fair but honestly...that's the consequence of doing it.

I myself have a tattoo and piercings, but no one at work knows because it's covered or not noticeable. Many people I have talked to at work say that they think "Walmart" when they see a tattoo.

And honestly... the ridiculously wealthy clients we have want nothing to do with employees with tattoos. (Call center employees).

Of course there are opportunities for people with tattoos in sight. But they are few and far between, most people will just not want to deal with it.

Sorry that's it...Good Luck

P.S. I do not regret any of my piercings or tattoo

Answer 6

I am a college instructor, so I by no means make millions of dollars. I do, however, work in an environment where I don't show off my tattoos. I waited until I was older to start getting tattoos, and, as of yet, none are visible in normal clothing. If you're going to keep them out of sight with normal business wear, it shouldn't make any difference whatsoever to the level of success you can achieve.

Answer 7

I haven't, but then I'm in a purely technical, non-customer oriented field. Frankly there tends to be more money in it for the average Joe, but it's considered harder & the mid-high end in sales is probably better. I'm in the category of what salary you're looking at, so at least I can speak comparatively.

I tend to think of sales & marketing as a field you risk having to sell your soul for - voicing opinions to get ahead you don't agree with, pushing a product a person may not need because the sale helps you, overlooking potential harm as it hurts your career, etc and so on... and possibly dressing & appearing as to keep the lowest common denominator of your clientèle happy. I want to be able to look at what I do & if I see it's a bad thing, change gears and direction. I also want to be able to express myself & "pursue happiness"; I want my mental acuity & skills judged, not the container used for locomotion. I have seen & known some folks in that kind of a career with ink; they tend to have it in areas that can be easily covered with conservative clothing - below the collar, above the elbow, above the knee. The world is changing, but there is still more that needs to transpire.

Okay, off from your original request and not intended as a dis on the field, just more as a risk I've seen from folks who've been in it. As far as the regret issue, if you can honestly keep in mind potential changes you're likely to go through I think you can be okay. It's hard to know what you'll want & be like in the future. At least if you're thinking seriously about it, you stand a chance to have a clue, or minimally be headed in the right direction.

Answer 8

I have multiple tattoos on my forearms and work in corporate marketing. While I know that most people that I work with wouldn't care too much about the fact that I have these, I still do wear long sleeves every day just because you never know who might be "turned off" by them and whether one of the VP's of Marketing or someone else happens to notice and just might have some sort of preconceived notions that might even just be subconsciously tainting what they think of me because of it. I don't mind wearing long sleeves at work and I'm happy to just have my work speak for myself when I'm at work, rather than appearance as much. I even felt a bit unsure about my earrings, but kept them in, although I removed my tongue barbell (I'd already chipped all my teeth on it anyways so I was pretty much done with it). I'd much rather wear the long sleeves and let my work speak for itself than wonder later on if I didn't get that promotion because of some black "ink stains" on my arms.

Answer 9

as long as the tattoos are in places that can be hidden such as back... stomach.. legs and if you were long sleeve shirts every day arms you should be fine... as long as they cant see the tattoos you are fine ... even at places like walmart and mcdonalds.. you have to cover up your tattoos if you have one in a place you cant hide chances are they may not hire you

hope that helps

Answer 10

Keep them covered. Subconsciously you are judged sometimes, you may not always have the opportunity to explain what the tat means. Just my opinion.