Has a tattoo ever hindered your search for a job or affect a current one?

SMILEYSIXX · #1 04-10-2011, 04:01 PM

I want a tattoo on my forearm up high near my elbow where it woulnt be visible if I wore a long sleeved shirt. Would this be any kind of hindrance? My dad is telling me I can't get it because I'll never get a job with a visible tattoo, but if it's not visible with long sleeves. What job could possibly require short sleeved shirts which would force me to expose a tattoo there?

Anyone with a tattoo in a place that raises similar concerns that could give me some input?

By the way, I don't want responses talking down to tattoos, this thread isn't about getting anyone's opinion or approval. I say this only because I know these responses are coming.

Stigs · #2 04-10-2011, 04:10 PM

Push comes to shove, if you end up being forced to wear a short sleeved shirt, buy a slip-on elbow brace and say you injured it as a child.

It should cover up the tattoo with ease, and nobody is going to care enough to see if you have a tat under it.

SMILEYSIXX · #3 04-10-2011, 04:26 PM

Already had a "got burnt and I'm self concious about my scars" thing, but injury is better because that's not visible like scars

HEIST · #4 04-10-2011, 04:36 PM

Really depends on community you live within and what the people are like in the workplace. In Vancouver, it's rarely heard of that a tattoo hindered someone in acquiring a job. Almost everyone I come in contact with when going into a place of business has a tattoo; it's really common here.

i_got_a_mohawk · #5 04-10-2011, 04:45 PM

No.

But:

-I work in science. I don't have to interact with real people very often, so it doesn't really matter how I look.

-I always make sure that my ink is somewhere that is easily covered. Which, being a guy, simply means no neck, face or hand tattoos. I wouldn't risk it (plus I don't like those ones in general)

**jmattbassplaya** · #6 04-10-2011, 04:49 PM

Find a new location for the tattoo. It's just easier.

arbitrary · #7 04-10-2011, 04:58 PM

it really depends on the job/career you are pursuing.

powderfinger · #8 04-10-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMILEYSIXX

I want a tattoo on my forearm up high near my elbow where it woulnt be visible if I wore a long sleeved shirt. Would this be any kind of hindrance? My dad is telling me I can't get it because I'll never get a job with a visible tattoo, but if it's not visible with long sleeves. What job could possibly require short sleeved shirts which would force me to expose a tattoo there?

Anyone with a tattoo in a place that raises similar concerns that could give me some input?

By the way, I don't want responses talking down to tattoos, this thread isn't about getting anyone's opinion or approval. I say this only because I know these responses are coming.

I wouldnt do it. You probably wont even want the thing in a couple years, anyhow...

Deluge Of Sound · #9 04-10-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arbitrary

it really depends on the job/career you are pursuing.

Bingo.

Chopper · #10 04-10-2011, 05:00 PM

Yes I have and it was just my kids names on my arms!

jp58 · #11 04-10-2011, 05:08 PM

Depends on the profession, the tattoo, and you/your potential employer.

Jay Ralston · #12 04-10-2011, 05:10 PM

I think it depends on the tattoo and what career or job you have. Take for example my job as a Corrections Officer. Because we are in the publics eye, if you have any tattoos exposed, they will not put you in a position where you deal with the public such as our main entry or visiting. Now how that can hinder a person, is if you go to promote and a position opens up in one of those areas. Certain staff do get overlooked because of their tattoos.

bongomania · #13 04-10-2011, 05:15 PM

I'm a big fan and supporter of tattoos and tattooed people, but even I will tell you that there are still lots of people out there who view tattoos as a sign of criminality. Heck, even me sometimes--if I see a young man in an oversized T-shirt with tattoos on his neck, I think "he's a thug, or a wanna-be thug". That doesn't mean they shouldn't get jobs, but it does mean that in the harsh reality, people will put their judgments on you.

A simple arm tattoo would absolutely not stop you from "getting a job", but it might well stop you from getting some jobs.

Me, I have tattoos on my ears. I did it when I was young, specifically so that I could never "sell out to the man". Well, it worked.

i_got_a_mohawk · #14 04-10-2011, 05:18 PM

Also, I see you're 16. I don't know about the laws in the US, but it isn't legal to tattoo a minor over here. I'm assuming it's similar in the US.

jp58 · #15 04-10-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Also, I see you're 16. I don't know about the laws in the US, but it isn't legal to tattoo a minor over here. I'm assuming it's similar in the US.

In most states, tattoos and piercings require an adult's consent if you're under-age, although a fake id would likely work, if the shop even asks

SMILEYSIXX · #16 04-10-2011, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Also, I see you're 16. I don't know about the laws in the US, but it isn't legal to tattoo a minor over here. I'm assuming it's similar in the US.

It's a birthday present, so I'll be 17 and with parental permission it's legal.

The tattoo is religious, so it's not something superficial that I'll regret later in my life. There are definitely some tattoos that I greatly dislike. For instance, I'm a huge Rush fan, but unlike a lot of Rush fans, I refuse to get the starman or something like that tattood on me, despite my confidence that I will die still a fan.

Jim Campbell · #17 04-10-2011, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMILEYSIXX

I want a tattoo on my forearm up high near my elbow where it woulnt be visible if I wore a long sleeved shirt. Would this be any kind of hindrance? My dad is telling me I can't get it because I'll never get a job with a visible tattoo, but if it's not visible with long sleeves. What job could possibly require short sleeved shirts which would force me to expose a tattoo there?

Anyone with a tattoo in a place that raises similar concerns that could give me some input?

By the way, I don't want responses talking down to tattoos, this thread isn't about getting anyone's opinion or approval. I say this only because I know these responses are coming.

why bother asking us.....do what you're going to do and accept whatever consequences there are.....of course everything you want now is something you will treasure always....your dad doesn't know anything,after all, all he did with his life was waste his time working to support you....

bongomania · #18 04-10-2011, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMILEYSIXX

The tattoo is religious, so it's not something superficial that I'll regret later in my life.

Calling TB'er Bassybill!

i_got_a_mohawk · #19 04-10-2011, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMILEYSIXX

It's a birthday present, so I'll be 17 and with parental permission it's legal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jp58

In most states, tattoos and piercings require an adult's consent if you're under-age, although a fake id would likely work, if the shop even asks

Ah right, slightly different than over here. Some places will claim that parental consent is fine, but legally, it isnt. It's one of the telling signs of which places to avoid.

Scratchers will tattoo anything on anyone for some cash.
Good quality tattooists will have a backlog of people wanting work and wouldn't risk reputation on somthing like that.

(again, over here that is)

SMILEYSIXX · #20 04-10-2011, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

why bother asking us.....do what you're going to do and accept whatever consequences there are.....of course everything you want now is something you will treasure always....your dad doesn't know anything,after all, all he did with his life was waste his time working to support you....

Well that was necessary.