It's no secret that tattoos have been frowned upon in corporate boardrooms for decades, and job seekers with visible tattoos have been overlooked for positions. But are the times finally changing?
Back in 2014 Workopolis released a report that showed that 77% of employers will or might be less likely to hire job seekers with tattoos. So clearly the decision to have a tattoo (or two or three) can impact your chances of being hired.
Read: Can my tattoos jeopardise my job hunt?
But that’s old news.
I can’t speak for Johannesburg, but it seems as if everyone and their aunt in Cape Town has a tattoo. And they’re all employed. And not as gangsters or sailors either.
Are the times then changing?
Andrew Timming, a professor at the University of Western Australia Business School, can actually answer that for us.
He has conducted multiple studies on tattoos in the workplace and just recently found that "Overall, employers still hold negative perceptions toward body art and continue to stereotype, but these perceptions are changing quickly," he says. "Over the last couple decades, there has been significant growth in the prevalence of tattoos."
Still, tattoos are perceived differently by different employers and individuals. Older, more corporate and client facing businesses might be less inclined to be as keen on visible tattoos as, say, an adventurous digital or marketing firm.
Modern companies that target younger job seekers may even see tattoos as an asset, because they are consistent with the companies ‘brand identity’, Timming explains: "More traditional companies whose target demographic includes older people are much more likely to view tattoos on job applicants negatively. In many instances, they will be a deal breaker in a job interview."
Trendy youthful clothing stores, for example, are known to feature tattooed models in their ad campaigns. And are you even a digital designer if you don’t have an arty tattoo?
Read: Meet Byron Barker, Tattoo Artist
With around two decades of experience running the Wildfire Tattoo Shop, Manuela Gray is one of Cape Town’s best-known tattooists. She’s seen the rise in interest first-hand: “It’s become the thing to have. In fact, if you’re in a creative field – it’s weird if you don’t have a piece or two. It’s showing how much society is changing.”
So, while it does indeed seem as if your tattoos are not as much of a liability as they could have been in years past, there are still a few good guidelines to stick to, to ensure you have the best chance of landing the job.
Avoid offensive tattoos. No matter how liberal, most employers will pass on a candidate with racist, explicit or vulgar imagery or language displayed where all and sundry can see it. "'LOVE' and 'HATE' might look cool on your knuckles at 21, but decidedly less cool at 51," Timming says.
Avoid overly visible tattoos. If your ink is on your face, neck or hands, you’ll be limiting your job options in many industries. "Tattoos that are difficult to conceal, for example, on the hands, neck and faces, are obviously likely to present job applicants with greater problems in securing employment," Timming explains.
Do your research. Tattoos are more welcome in some company cultures than others, so be sure to know if you should cover up or tastefully display your artwork in an interview. "For example, if you're applying to be the creative director at a marketing firm, then the tattoos, if tasteful, will blend nicely into the background of that company," says Timming.
At the end of the day, it's your body and you don't HAVE to work for a company that makes you hide your pride and joy. "The times are changing, so it no longer makes sense to advise people to avoid tattoos entirely," Timming says.
Written by Elizabeth Mamacos: Elizabeth currently serves as Editor at Careers24. She oversees a team of writers who specialise in career advice, and has a long history of both digital and print journalism. Elizabeth spends her free time studying and running after her kids. If you would like to get in touch, email her at editor@careers24.com.
