We are living in a moment of change when it comes to selecting profiles. Companies are no longer looking for an “immaculate resume”, they are looking for values that match the essence of companies. This means dress code and tattoos in the workplace shouldn’t be an issue anymore. 

Professionals who do things “with love”, passion, and desire, whose experience, convictions, and beliefs prevail over other academic or aesthetic issues… This sounds good, but is it really true? For example, are tattoos at work still an issue in 2022?

IS IT OK TO SHOW TATTOOS AT WORK?

“He’s the perfect candidate, only those tattoos don’t convince me… too showy, too big… maybe it harms us among our clients with the classic image that our company has”.

This fictitious conversation between two recruiters about the candidate’s tattoos could be heard in any department of selection, right? 

Today, aesthetics continues to affect the candidate, although social networks and younger generations of talent normalize it, only 12% of Europeans are tattooed, a low percentage if we compare it with the average of millennials who wear ink on the skin. It’s the most tattooed generation to date, and also the one that has managed to break with the stereotypes that exist around the sector. According to the Pew Research Center, 40% of all millennials have one tattoo at least.

It’s true that little by little, these engravings on the skin seem to be taking on a different color among the youngest, who don’t see tattoos as something bad or aggressive towards the public. But they aren’t the only sector of the population that is fighting to change this way of seeing them.   There are other companies, led by people with years of experience, who also want to change the way of seeing tattoos.

✨ Thinking of getting a minimalist tattoo? Top 6 best minimalist tattoo ideas!

WHAT DO PEOPLE THINK ABOUT TATTOOS IN THE WORKPLACE?

However, it’s true that there is still a lot of work to be done at a social and work level, as shown by the results of the study carried out by the University of Tampa.

• 86% of the students surveyed with visible tattoos said they believed they would have more difficulty finding a job after graduation.
• 89% admitted that, when getting a tattoo, the first thought about the impact that tattoos would have on finding work.

Despite the fact that wearing tattoos has become normalized, Kristen Foltz, researcher of the study, acknowledged that when it comes to finding work, “the chances of not being selected increase.”

So do you think that If there are two candidates who have very similar backgrounds and very similar values, the company is more likely to select the one who doesn’t have tattoos, or they aren’t visible? 

👉 Perhaps you should consider getting a white tattoo! The most elegant one. Check it out!

HOW TO GET HIRED IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO: BEST TIPS

Research the industry you want to work in

It’s important to do some research to find out if tattoos in the workplace are accepted and at what level. Therefore, you’ll be able to know if you have to cover your tattoos with makeup or clothing or allow them to be visible.

Understand the company culture

Do you want to work for a specific company? Research them to find out what kind of culture they have if it’s formal, creative, innovative or if they have tattooed employees… For example, If they’re informal, they’ll accept tattoos at work very easily. Investigate it! 😉

Read the organization’s dress code

You have to understand the values and regulations of the company. Currently, organizations have many rules of behavior and dress according to their values, they want to give the right image to the public, and they can only do that through the workers. What preferences does the company have? Do they accept people with tattoos?

Stay true to your values

Staying true to yourself is very important, tattoos are part of you and a professional job shouldn’t change your whole person. So, also consider what kind of person you want to be at work and whether it’s related to what you’re being asked to be. Never forget about yourself!