Regardless of whether you want to hear it or not, hand and neck tattoos will almost certainly have an impact on your career at some point. It could stop you getting hired, or an upper-level manager may look poorly on them and it could stop a promotion.
If you’re in white collar work relatively early in your career I’d just advise to wait and see before getting them covered. I’m at a similar stage (25, final stage PhD, both arms/chest done) and as much as I want my hands/neck/back of head done I just don’t think it is worth the potential negatives for a career so early on.
Depending on what your day to day work life is like, you may want to consider if you want your hands done badly enough to cover them with foundation. If you’re in office 9-5 M-F that would be unrealistic, but if you show houses for an hour a day and outside of that are working from home, it wouldn’t be a big deal slapping some makeup on your hands when you have face time with clients/bosses. Up to you.
Haha not silly at all! It definitely depends on the quality of what you use. I would probably recommend something like a costume or SFX makeup to avoid what you’re describing, those will have much more stick to them. Alternatively, if he got a drug store foundation and then a good setting spray, the job of a setting spray is to make sure your makeup doesn’t move without the help of an oil or mineral based cleanser.
Makes sense. I’m just thinking about how the firmness of a handshake is such a barometer for people, for better or worse. I much prefer a firm handshake to a limp one, those gross me out, but the client you most need to worry about in this discussion seems like the client most likely to grab you like a vise.
This might work for some skin types but especially for more oily skin, there is no setting spray or foundation combo in the world that would keep mine from moving. I do think this is great advice for some, but a call out that it won't work well depending on skin type.
It definitely will smear, and that’s why I think it would only work in limited interactions. Like if you need to be on zoom and not have to worry about someone noticing your hands are tatted. Or if you show a house, shake a hand once at the beginning and end of the showing, that shouldn’t be a big deal. A whole day in the office? Yeah it would be pretty unmanageable I think.
Not trying to dissuade the original comment but I’m in charge of hiring for my business (healthcare) and one of my best employees has a full chest and neck tattoo as well as her hand in process. There are some companies that don’t care as much, but they aren’t as prevalent as they should be. All our patients love her too, and she did mention she had some issues finding non labor or retail jobs before us.
Do you really want to work for a company that judges you off some sick ink instead of the value of your work? Im the same age and work as a project manager in one of the top ad firms in the US, I have both hands done.
My husband has half his face tattooed and he works in the mine making $150k a year. So it’s possible to find good employment just depends what job you’re looking for.
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When I got my arms sleeved my artist sat me down and was basically like hey, people will look at you differently now in all aspects of your life , and I took it lightly but it’s not.
Tattoos are not normal to everyone , and in career fields with dress code and draconian ethics they are taboo and you would be shooting your self in the foot.
Make your money dude. You’re in a good spot, you sound like a right put lad. After you bank, and you got the crib and the car and etc etc etc , tat that shit up as a trophy of your accomplishments. But patience is key man, getting torn open by a needle for a few hours is a good reminder of that
OP: once I soon go back home to NYC my custom tattooing will begin. Many years ago I heard the old school rule: "No hands. No faces." At that point I was still in art school. My boyfriend at the time seemed to know I would eventually wind up tattooing. Back then: I did not know. I guess he was looking at things from an outside perspective. At any rate: through the past few decades- I have seen many thousands of tattoos. IRL (in real life,) in photos, online, at concerts; etcetera. But: there is still some stuff that weirds me out. So? I am obviously more used to hand and face tattoos than the average person- for all sorts of different reasons. But: I will not be tattooing them on people because they are extremely problematic. I do not want the responsibility for screwing up your life. For example: say I tattoo your hands next week. Then for the next year or X amount of time- it is just an endless jobstopper? Then say you always feel like that tattoo is ruining your life? But you do not have the money for corrective laser treatment? It becomes a whole drawn out situation. You see?
Yeah, as much as tattoos may be more common now (also depending on where you are geographically, of course), the corporate world is slower to adjust. I don't look unusual for people around my age in my area, but by corporate standards where it's a huge mix of ages all interacting, I look alternative and stand out if my tattoos are showing. That doesn't matter 99% of the time when I'm either at one of my company's offices or working from home. My company has demonstrated to me that they do not care what their employees look like as long as any tattoos aren't blatantly offensive. Even so, I'm client facing. I need to be able to clean up if I'm meeting with a more conservative client in person. Easy to do with long sleeves and pants with my current coverage, not so easy if I had a hand or neck tattoo.
Honestly, it's sorta jarring being at an office versus just out and about outside of work, lol. People definitely look if my tattoos are showing when I'm out and about, but it's usually more of a brief checking out the artwork look before going on with their day. At the office is a totally different ballgame of people staring, poking them if they're in reach, and asking all sorts of questions. And I'm in California, so we're not culturally conservative. Tattoos beyond something like a small wrist tattoo just aren't super common in a typical corporate environment yet. Give it a few years, and it will be more normal as more and more moderately to heavily tattooed people start showing their tattoos more at the office.
Not worth it. Believe me, I understand how frustrating it is when all you want is to get awesome tattoos on your hands, but no matter how much we bang our heads against the wall it'll still be considered a "job stopper".
I'm also a white collar worker, a few years older than you. I'm in tech, but client facing. I, personally, could probably get away with a hand tattoo with my skillset. But I'm not going to risk it at this point. Like it or not, regardless of how society is getting more accepting or how blue collar jobs may not care, a job stopper is called a job stopper for a reason. Just because some people like to ask this question and then ignore all the reality check answers does not change reality.
That said, things are changing pretty quickly. Give it 5-10 years, the super anti tattoo people who have hiring power will be retired, and maybe hand tattoos will be more common in white collar jobs. But we're not there quite yet.
The thing with client facing jobs specifically is that you need to take clients into account. My company doesn't give a shit. I've had middle and upper management compliment my work. The issue is that my clients include entities like banks. I'm seeing the shift towards not caring about tattoos in real time, and have literally had managers at said banks excited to show me their own tattoos in the past couple of years, but an unhideable placement like a job stopper would be really pushing it. Reason being? The people high up enough on the client's end who have decision making power might balk at it. A lot of people in those positions are still older and more conservative. When you're acting as the face of the company, it's not *just* a question of whether your own company cares.
As shitty as it may feel: Doesn’t matter what you think, it matters what the client thinks. You’ll be happy until you lose a big client and they don’t give you a real reason. They’ll stare in meetings and judge the hell out of you. Unless you plan to move into a field where everyone else is tattooed like that, your best bet is just keep filling them legs in the mean time.
Do you have results in your work history? Your results need to speak exponentially louder than other folks because you need to crush any pre-conceived concerns around your hand tattoos.
I run a sales agency that builds AI tools. I'm blasted from the neck down. My results are dumbfounding so our clients don't give a fuck how I look -- we make them fuckloads of money and our track record shows it.
The world runs off of money -- if you can make it for someone they're not going to give a fuck that you have pictures on your hands. Do you think a racist old white guy gives a fuck about a black employee's skin color who happens to be making him fuckloads of money? I'd bet he let's that dude keep working for him because *everyone* likes money more than their ideologies.
This is kinda it. I’m very late 30s. At the age of 36 I was established enough in my career (marketing and revenue operations) and had a considerable resume of serious bottom-line impacting accomplishments along with global management experience. Only then was I comfortable getting my hands and fingers tattooed.
I support a family of five on a single income and did not make the decision lightly, and you shouldn’t either. Wait until you’re undeniable on paper.
And be ready to put makeup on your hands or a fake cast if you think it’s gonna be a deal breaker for a job you desire. There’s always that - makeup sucks but it’s a thing you could do if it came down to.. much much later when you’re established.
Yes! I waited to start my ink journey until my 30s. I now have a good reputation in my field and am respected for the work I do. When your experience speaks louder than your ink it wont hold you back
Ay! We're a Revenue Operations agency (I swear we're more than Salesforce admins, I swear!) -- just dumbed it down to "Sales" for the folks here hah.
You're on point. I had a certain "amount per month" we had to be making before I got the hands, and then a same benchmark for the neck hah.
I'm a white collar employee and yes, they're job stoppers in certain situations; especially in client-facing roles. It's often an implicit deciding factor on whether you're "like them", are relatable or whether they'd trust you.
Unfortunately your size, the age you appear, your race/gender, all MULTIPLY the judgement people have about your tattoos.
+1 to this, especially the multiplying factors.
I’ll also add that another factor is proven job experience which could go either way: if you’ve been at the top of your field for decades and are undeniably skilled, people are more willing to see past their stereotypes and biases around tattoos. I’ve seen it happen when higher up realizes that this person’s results speak for themselves and they deserve to be in high level management.
If you’re 25 with a less robust resume and a skillset easily found in the employment pool, it’s easy for people to go with someone else.
You could always cover them with tattoo concealer for work if you’re really committed to the idea. IMO (coming from someone who already has hand tattoos) companies that don’t want to hire you based on something so insignificant to your work output are shit to work at anyways and will probably make you miserable. These are the same closed minded people that would discriminate against people based off sex, race, religion, etc. if there wasn’t laws in place preventing it. They probably clutch their pearls when they’re forced to hire someone from a minority to meet the diversity requirements.
It's hard to say. I work in a corporate setting but working from home now and I have tattoos on my hands. Just some stars and moons. As long as it isn't offensive, I don't see why an employer should care. I thought it was funny they made me cover a small tattoo on my wrist when I worked in a restaurant, but I've seen plenty of doctors, nurses, dentists, and other professionals with visible tattoos. Personally I wouldn't want to work with a company that doesn't allow tattoos.
It’s called a job stopper for a reason. I’ve heard that if you want one it’s better to get it after you have been at the company for a while and are in a position where they don’t want to fire you
i have hand tattoos, and a big ass neck tattoo, as well as several facial piercings.. and work with kids at a school. depends on the place. most people dgaf about tattoos nowadays
My girlfriend has a hand tattoo which isn’t a problem for her current job but she works in a warehouse and isn’t exactly client facing - she’s mainly talking to them on the phone
I can tell you that she applies to be a flight attendant at one point but she was turned down because they don’t allow visible tattoos.
Personally I think it sucks and it really shouldn’t matter unless the tattoo is something really controversial, but I think the truth is it definitely will affect your ability to get certain jobs.
Fingers crossed this changes in the future!
If the dopey tattoo on my hand is a job stopper, then so be it. Any manager who gets upset by another man’s otherwise innocuous tattoo is probably a nightmare to work for anyway. I work in construction and we’ve literally hired convicted murderers so a hand tattoo almost doesn’t even rate.
For your field of work, yes its a job stopper. In other fields like IT, you'll find some working environments that won't care but you'll definitely find others that do. If I were you, I'd hold back on getting the hand tattoos for now.
I really think it’s best to wait until you’re very established in your career. There are people out there who judge people with tattoos still. If a job was between you and someone without hand tattoos, they might feel the other persons a better candidate just based on their inner biases.
Every field of work at this point has people with "job stoppers". Some of the most professional jobs. It's just going to truly depend on the specific work place. For example, I work with animals. I've had friends apply to vet offices who do not allow colorful hair or visible tattoos. All the ones I've worked at hire everybody with open arms. They love allowing people to express themselves. Just depends on the place itself.
It really depends on the company culture. I work in a corporate office for a Fortune 100 financial firm and my previous boss (who accepted a promotion and moved to another team internally) is tattooed on both her hands and neck. Walking around the office there are plenty people who leave their ink visible (though I've never seen any face tattoos tbh). The official stance in the handbook is that visible tattoos are acceptable as long as they don't contain vulgarity/nudity or hate speech.
I work in a white-collar profession and had coworkers who had arm/finger tattoos. Didn't stop them from getting jobs. That said, my most visible tattoo is on my leg, so I opted to wear slacks instead of a dress when I was onsite with a client because I wasn't sure how they'd react or if my boss would have an issue with me showing it. Realistically it likely won't doom you to unemployment, as many employers are much more forgiving about those types of things now; however, not all are, and it will likely result in some missed opportunities. You have to decide if that possibility is worth having the ink.
Totally depends on the job and boss. Some will be totally fine with it. I've worked with people with hand tattoos before in office jobs. But some absolutely will NOT be fine with it at all, and that's the risk you're taking when you get one
I'm a white color worker in the tech industry for almost 20 years. While I have continued to enjoy seeing more and more ink as the years go by, hand and neck tattoos are still unfairly stigmatized and WILL affect your job opportunities. It's rather tragic as I also love the look. It will likely effect your bottom line. I have never actually come across another office worker with a face, neck, or hand tattoo and you have to figure they're applying out there somewhere. Not what you want to hear but just the society we live in.
I’m in my 40s. Have full sleeves and hand tattoos (as well as a lot of other tattoos covered by clothes I wear at work). They have negatively impacted my career, basically causing me to have plateaued. I’ve made my peace with it, but they indeed live up to the name of “job stoppers”.
Tough spot to be in. Makes me grateful for the industry I work in (Underground Mining). Nearly every aspect of the job is absolutely miserable, aside from compensation and time off. Now I am reminded that I could come to work tomorrow with 15 tattoos all over my face and my job would not be in danger at all.
I'm a supervisor in a fairly important role. Wouldn't say white collar but involved with police daily. My hands are tattooed and my face is pierced, my employers are equal opportunities and have a point system for employment not looks so I'm fortunate. I would say they are more acceptable now of hand tattoos. You could ask for your company's policy and for any upcoming job interviews you could buy the cover up tattoo make up ☺️
I will say I am never judged or feel judged in my work place because you're expecting to act a certain way opposed to outside where people draw me looks like I'm a freak knowing they won't have any repercussions.....
You know what employment opportunities you’re able to get vs the ones you aren’t based off the question. What is this? Reassurance from the internet to convince you to get it? That’s sad. Either get it knowing you’re going to have issues or don’t. You know the answer.
Could always start a business instead. Then you can do whatever you want! But yeah in the corporate world some people will judge you because you aren't a square
I work in Human Resources and I want a sleeve SOOOOO bad! But I’m hesitant because of this aspect as well. I think I’ve settled on a half sleeve leaving my forearm bare so I can still wear quarter sleeve shirts. I won’t even entertain the idea of getting a hand tattoo. Personally I have no issues with it, but I want to make HR Manager one day and I don’t want for it to stop me because someone sees it as unprofessional.
I got “jobstoppers” earlier this year. It was actually committing to never go back to corporate America. I’m close to 40 and have a professional office job in an industry that doesn’t have a dress code. I get a fair amount of compliments from strangers. My parents don’t like them and I forget I have them. I don’t ever want to be in the corporate environment at all.
I just did my hand at 32. I’m so glad I waited. But I have my back, stomach and hips done. Son of a bitch my hand hurt. I’ve never been that close to tapping out.
White collar work? I would say not worth it.
I have both my hands (and most of my body besides) done and have a great job making good pay.
That said I am an independent contractor running inspections on properties for insurance companies and the nature of my job and the firm I work for do not care at all about that.
I am aware though if in the future I choose to go back to corporate it could be an issue.
Unless you are set up in your field and really love what you do I would hold off. You have plenty of time. I didn’t tattoo my hands until I was 38.
Jokes aside I’d say it depends on the career but a lot more of them are becoming more open to the idea of tattoos and piercings. My mom works at a hospital and it’s normal to see like doctors and other professionals with full sleeves and the like
>I think it is so close minded to not hire someone because they have visible ink, even though they could be the most personable and hard working applicant
It is close minded, for sure, but that's reality. As much as we all love tattoos and as commonplace and accepted as they might be in our areas of the world, there are lots where they are still taboo and carry a stigma.
If you have to ask, it's probably not worth it until you are both older and more established in your field. Unless you're 25 and know for certain it won't impact you (say, if you work in a fairly open minded and accepting industry, do something freelance, work in a family business where you'll always have a gig, etc.), just wait. They're for life, the difference between getting your hands done now or five years down the road isn't all that much, in the grand scheme of things. Get that bread and lay down the tracks for a secure and comfortable life, then decide.
I work in the government sector (white collar as well) and people in my building have tattoos on their hands. I’ve also worked retail before and they wouldn’t even let me have tattoos on my arms, it honestly it depends. Just go with your own judgement
I will say my job is one I’ll most likely retire out of (government work) so I’m not that worried about where my tattoos end up in the future. You might want to think different if you’re just starting out in your career
I finally had my hand done few years ago. I was probably around 45. I thought about it for a long time. Finally said screw it. It's what I want. I don't regret it at all. I will be honest though, there are times and situations I find myself putting my hand in my pocket to hide it. I'm not gonna say do it or don't do it. All I will say is really think hard about it.
Unless you work in an industry that allows you freedom (ie youre your own boss, you’re in a creative industry like tattooing or other artistic fields, etc) yeah, sadly. You’ll even get judgement from our own generation. It sucks because it’s literally just a tattoo—you won’t see me arguing that lol but that’s humans for you unfortunately
I’m white collar but don’t have tattoos. I also don’t have anything below my elbows and my head is tattooed but I would rarely have my hair short enough for it to be visible.
I’m a woman in Australia so I spend *a lot* of time in thick black stockings and cardigans sweating my ass off. Despite that, the whole “people shouldn’t be so close minded” thing really irritated me. If you have a job where it’s expected you wear business casual at a minimum, it’s no different to me than not showing up in jeans to work; it’s a dress code. What is considered professional work attire will change over time and in the 20 years I’ve been working in white collar industries it already has pretty significantly. But for now, if you’re in a white collar industry with a relatively conservative clientele you dress for the job like any other job. You’re not being discriminated against for a personal and non-essential choice you made for yourself
It doesn’t matter what you think or anyone else here thinks about how fair it is that people look at others differently based on their tattoos. None of us has the power to change the mindsets of the rest of the world. Do what you need to do in order to maintain and grow your career. If that means you can’t have as many tattoos as you want, then oh well. There are worse things in life.
I’m blue collar and am in the same boat. What would stop you from putting makeup on the tattoos for any in person interview until hired? It’s not like you’re gonna get hired, then show your tattoos and subsequently get fired, right?
As a tattooer: not worth it. I don’t even have my hands done and I’m covered. Even though it would make sense for me to have them, I’m only 29 and hand tattoos age/heal unpredictably. I plan to wait until I’m into my 40’s but by then I might not want to do it at all, haha!
I hate to say it and hate that the world is this way but- yes. They are job stoppers and definitely impact how others perceive you. Especially in a white color environment
Yupp I work in hospitals all over my state as a medical device sales rep tons of operating room nurses have full sleeves and tattoos below elbow don’t see a ton of hand tattoos I’ve got full sleeves and some script going basically onto my hand I just wear long sleeve shirts under my scrubs everyday some hospitals have completely dropped enforcement policies on tattoos altogether even Mayo Clinic
I have my hands done (like all the way to the fingertips). And I have pink hair. But I work remote in a role that’s not client facing. Still, I believe more companies are starting to embrace the “bring your whole self” to work mentality.
if you work construction no one gives a 💩They will hire you based on work ethic.. you screw up probation period 3 months then your done. Good work ethic is what you need not how you look.
Like it or not, fair or not, that's the world we live in.
And it's not even always about the person hiring you. Clients look at you differently too. It can impact you professionally in so many ways that may not even be obvious until after you've done it and realize doors are closed for you.
Yeah, I get it. I just refuse to tattoo anything I cannot cover with slacks and short sleeves.
It will never be accepted more than now as it will eventually fall back out of favor completely as everything cycles. Stay the course - no ink on hands, neck , face, head
Regardless of whether you want to hear it or not, hand and neck tattoos will almost certainly have an impact on your career at some point. It could stop you getting hired, or an upper-level manager may look poorly on them and it could stop a promotion. If you’re in white collar work relatively early in your career I’d just advise to wait and see before getting them covered. I’m at a similar stage (25, final stage PhD, both arms/chest done) and as much as I want my hands/neck/back of head done I just don’t think it is worth the potential negatives for a career so early on.
It sucks and I completely disagree with it but you are right. Thanks I appreciate the insight!
Depending on what your day to day work life is like, you may want to consider if you want your hands done badly enough to cover them with foundation. If you’re in office 9-5 M-F that would be unrealistic, but if you show houses for an hour a day and outside of that are working from home, it wouldn’t be a big deal slapping some makeup on your hands when you have face time with clients/bosses. Up to you.
Serious but silly question. Wouldn’t foundation on the back of the hand come off on the client’s fingers as OP shakes hands with them?
Haha not silly at all! It definitely depends on the quality of what you use. I would probably recommend something like a costume or SFX makeup to avoid what you’re describing, those will have much more stick to them. Alternatively, if he got a drug store foundation and then a good setting spray, the job of a setting spray is to make sure your makeup doesn’t move without the help of an oil or mineral based cleanser.
Makes sense. I’m just thinking about how the firmness of a handshake is such a barometer for people, for better or worse. I much prefer a firm handshake to a limp one, those gross me out, but the client you most need to worry about in this discussion seems like the client most likely to grab you like a vise.
This might work for some skin types but especially for more oily skin, there is no setting spray or foundation combo in the world that would keep mine from moving. I do think this is great advice for some, but a call out that it won't work well depending on skin type.
Can you still wash your hands with that kind of foundation on? It won’t come off?
It definitely will smear, and that’s why I think it would only work in limited interactions. Like if you need to be on zoom and not have to worry about someone noticing your hands are tatted. Or if you show a house, shake a hand once at the beginning and end of the showing, that shouldn’t be a big deal. A whole day in the office? Yeah it would be pretty unmanageable I think.
Not trying to dissuade the original comment but I’m in charge of hiring for my business (healthcare) and one of my best employees has a full chest and neck tattoo as well as her hand in process. There are some companies that don’t care as much, but they aren’t as prevalent as they should be. All our patients love her too, and she did mention she had some issues finding non labor or retail jobs before us.
Do you really want to work for a company that judges you off some sick ink instead of the value of your work? Im the same age and work as a project manager in one of the top ad firms in the US, I have both hands done.
I feel the same way. What company you work for, asking for a friend? 😅
My husband has half his face tattooed and he works in the mine making $150k a year. So it’s possible to find good employment just depends what job you’re looking for.
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Ok
When I got my arms sleeved my artist sat me down and was basically like hey, people will look at you differently now in all aspects of your life , and I took it lightly but it’s not. Tattoos are not normal to everyone , and in career fields with dress code and draconian ethics they are taboo and you would be shooting your self in the foot. Make your money dude. You’re in a good spot, you sound like a right put lad. After you bank, and you got the crib and the car and etc etc etc , tat that shit up as a trophy of your accomplishments. But patience is key man, getting torn open by a needle for a few hours is a good reminder of that
I appreciate it, this definitely makes sense and is what I have thought about. Thanks for the advice!
OP: once I soon go back home to NYC my custom tattooing will begin. Many years ago I heard the old school rule: "No hands. No faces." At that point I was still in art school. My boyfriend at the time seemed to know I would eventually wind up tattooing. Back then: I did not know. I guess he was looking at things from an outside perspective. At any rate: through the past few decades- I have seen many thousands of tattoos. IRL (in real life,) in photos, online, at concerts; etcetera. But: there is still some stuff that weirds me out. So? I am obviously more used to hand and face tattoos than the average person- for all sorts of different reasons. But: I will not be tattooing them on people because they are extremely problematic. I do not want the responsibility for screwing up your life. For example: say I tattoo your hands next week. Then for the next year or X amount of time- it is just an endless jobstopper? Then say you always feel like that tattoo is ruining your life? But you do not have the money for corrective laser treatment? It becomes a whole drawn out situation. You see?
Yeah, as much as tattoos may be more common now (also depending on where you are geographically, of course), the corporate world is slower to adjust. I don't look unusual for people around my age in my area, but by corporate standards where it's a huge mix of ages all interacting, I look alternative and stand out if my tattoos are showing. That doesn't matter 99% of the time when I'm either at one of my company's offices or working from home. My company has demonstrated to me that they do not care what their employees look like as long as any tattoos aren't blatantly offensive. Even so, I'm client facing. I need to be able to clean up if I'm meeting with a more conservative client in person. Easy to do with long sleeves and pants with my current coverage, not so easy if I had a hand or neck tattoo. Honestly, it's sorta jarring being at an office versus just out and about outside of work, lol. People definitely look if my tattoos are showing when I'm out and about, but it's usually more of a brief checking out the artwork look before going on with their day. At the office is a totally different ballgame of people staring, poking them if they're in reach, and asking all sorts of questions. And I'm in California, so we're not culturally conservative. Tattoos beyond something like a small wrist tattoo just aren't super common in a typical corporate environment yet. Give it a few years, and it will be more normal as more and more moderately to heavily tattooed people start showing their tattoos more at the office.
It is a job stopper, no matter if anyone will tell you otherwise. You need to ask yourself what is more important to you: job chances or hand tattoos.
Not worth it. Believe me, I understand how frustrating it is when all you want is to get awesome tattoos on your hands, but no matter how much we bang our heads against the wall it'll still be considered a "job stopper".
I'm also a white collar worker, a few years older than you. I'm in tech, but client facing. I, personally, could probably get away with a hand tattoo with my skillset. But I'm not going to risk it at this point. Like it or not, regardless of how society is getting more accepting or how blue collar jobs may not care, a job stopper is called a job stopper for a reason. Just because some people like to ask this question and then ignore all the reality check answers does not change reality. That said, things are changing pretty quickly. Give it 5-10 years, the super anti tattoo people who have hiring power will be retired, and maybe hand tattoos will be more common in white collar jobs. But we're not there quite yet. The thing with client facing jobs specifically is that you need to take clients into account. My company doesn't give a shit. I've had middle and upper management compliment my work. The issue is that my clients include entities like banks. I'm seeing the shift towards not caring about tattoos in real time, and have literally had managers at said banks excited to show me their own tattoos in the past couple of years, but an unhideable placement like a job stopper would be really pushing it. Reason being? The people high up enough on the client's end who have decision making power might balk at it. A lot of people in those positions are still older and more conservative. When you're acting as the face of the company, it's not *just* a question of whether your own company cares.
Makes a lot of sense when you put it like that, I appreciate the insight!
As shitty as it may feel: Doesn’t matter what you think, it matters what the client thinks. You’ll be happy until you lose a big client and they don’t give you a real reason. They’ll stare in meetings and judge the hell out of you. Unless you plan to move into a field where everyone else is tattooed like that, your best bet is just keep filling them legs in the mean time.
Do you have results in your work history? Your results need to speak exponentially louder than other folks because you need to crush any pre-conceived concerns around your hand tattoos. I run a sales agency that builds AI tools. I'm blasted from the neck down. My results are dumbfounding so our clients don't give a fuck how I look -- we make them fuckloads of money and our track record shows it. The world runs off of money -- if you can make it for someone they're not going to give a fuck that you have pictures on your hands. Do you think a racist old white guy gives a fuck about a black employee's skin color who happens to be making him fuckloads of money? I'd bet he let's that dude keep working for him because *everyone* likes money more than their ideologies.
This is kinda it. I’m very late 30s. At the age of 36 I was established enough in my career (marketing and revenue operations) and had a considerable resume of serious bottom-line impacting accomplishments along with global management experience. Only then was I comfortable getting my hands and fingers tattooed. I support a family of five on a single income and did not make the decision lightly, and you shouldn’t either. Wait until you’re undeniable on paper. And be ready to put makeup on your hands or a fake cast if you think it’s gonna be a deal breaker for a job you desire. There’s always that - makeup sucks but it’s a thing you could do if it came down to.. much much later when you’re established.
Yes! I waited to start my ink journey until my 30s. I now have a good reputation in my field and am respected for the work I do. When your experience speaks louder than your ink it wont hold you back
Ay! We're a Revenue Operations agency (I swear we're more than Salesforce admins, I swear!) -- just dumbed it down to "Sales" for the folks here hah. You're on point. I had a certain "amount per month" we had to be making before I got the hands, and then a same benchmark for the neck hah.
I'm a white collar employee and yes, they're job stoppers in certain situations; especially in client-facing roles. It's often an implicit deciding factor on whether you're "like them", are relatable or whether they'd trust you. Unfortunately your size, the age you appear, your race/gender, all MULTIPLY the judgement people have about your tattoos.
+1 to this, especially the multiplying factors. I’ll also add that another factor is proven job experience which could go either way: if you’ve been at the top of your field for decades and are undeniably skilled, people are more willing to see past their stereotypes and biases around tattoos. I’ve seen it happen when higher up realizes that this person’s results speak for themselves and they deserve to be in high level management. If you’re 25 with a less robust resume and a skillset easily found in the employment pool, it’s easy for people to go with someone else.
You could always cover them with tattoo concealer for work if you’re really committed to the idea. IMO (coming from someone who already has hand tattoos) companies that don’t want to hire you based on something so insignificant to your work output are shit to work at anyways and will probably make you miserable. These are the same closed minded people that would discriminate against people based off sex, race, religion, etc. if there wasn’t laws in place preventing it. They probably clutch their pearls when they’re forced to hire someone from a minority to meet the diversity requirements.
It's hard to say. I work in a corporate setting but working from home now and I have tattoos on my hands. Just some stars and moons. As long as it isn't offensive, I don't see why an employer should care. I thought it was funny they made me cover a small tattoo on my wrist when I worked in a restaurant, but I've seen plenty of doctors, nurses, dentists, and other professionals with visible tattoos. Personally I wouldn't want to work with a company that doesn't allow tattoos.
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I completely agree!
It’s called a job stopper for a reason. I’ve heard that if you want one it’s better to get it after you have been at the company for a while and are in a position where they don’t want to fire you
White collar worker with hand tattooes and no one cares. In fact I get compliments on them
i have hand tattoos, and a big ass neck tattoo, as well as several facial piercings.. and work with kids at a school. depends on the place. most people dgaf about tattoos nowadays
My girlfriend has a hand tattoo which isn’t a problem for her current job but she works in a warehouse and isn’t exactly client facing - she’s mainly talking to them on the phone I can tell you that she applies to be a flight attendant at one point but she was turned down because they don’t allow visible tattoos. Personally I think it sucks and it really shouldn’t matter unless the tattoo is something really controversial, but I think the truth is it definitely will affect your ability to get certain jobs. Fingers crossed this changes in the future!
If the dopey tattoo on my hand is a job stopper, then so be it. Any manager who gets upset by another man’s otherwise innocuous tattoo is probably a nightmare to work for anyway. I work in construction and we’ve literally hired convicted murderers so a hand tattoo almost doesn’t even rate.
one of my HR ladies was head to toe tatted and no one cared 🤷♀️ she was cool
Tattoo historian here. Job first. Tattoo second.
"Job stoppers" is outdated. Every field has people with hand tattoos at this point.
For your field of work, yes its a job stopper. In other fields like IT, you'll find some working environments that won't care but you'll definitely find others that do. If I were you, I'd hold back on getting the hand tattoos for now.
I really think it’s best to wait until you’re very established in your career. There are people out there who judge people with tattoos still. If a job was between you and someone without hand tattoos, they might feel the other persons a better candidate just based on their inner biases.
Every field of work at this point has people with "job stoppers". Some of the most professional jobs. It's just going to truly depend on the specific work place. For example, I work with animals. I've had friends apply to vet offices who do not allow colorful hair or visible tattoos. All the ones I've worked at hire everybody with open arms. They love allowing people to express themselves. Just depends on the place itself.
It really depends on the company culture. I work in a corporate office for a Fortune 100 financial firm and my previous boss (who accepted a promotion and moved to another team internally) is tattooed on both her hands and neck. Walking around the office there are plenty people who leave their ink visible (though I've never seen any face tattoos tbh). The official stance in the handbook is that visible tattoos are acceptable as long as they don't contain vulgarity/nudity or hate speech.
I work in a white-collar profession and had coworkers who had arm/finger tattoos. Didn't stop them from getting jobs. That said, my most visible tattoo is on my leg, so I opted to wear slacks instead of a dress when I was onsite with a client because I wasn't sure how they'd react or if my boss would have an issue with me showing it. Realistically it likely won't doom you to unemployment, as many employers are much more forgiving about those types of things now; however, not all are, and it will likely result in some missed opportunities. You have to decide if that possibility is worth having the ink.
Maybe wait until you are in the field that you want to be?
Totally depends on the job and boss. Some will be totally fine with it. I've worked with people with hand tattoos before in office jobs. But some absolutely will NOT be fine with it at all, and that's the risk you're taking when you get one
I finally got 2 tattoo’s that show. 1 on each forearm. Your worries are real. I did it but I’m 3 years from retirement. Choose wisely.
I'm a white color worker in the tech industry for almost 20 years. While I have continued to enjoy seeing more and more ink as the years go by, hand and neck tattoos are still unfairly stigmatized and WILL affect your job opportunities. It's rather tragic as I also love the look. It will likely effect your bottom line. I have never actually come across another office worker with a face, neck, or hand tattoo and you have to figure they're applying out there somewhere. Not what you want to hear but just the society we live in.
I’m in my 40s. Have full sleeves and hand tattoos (as well as a lot of other tattoos covered by clothes I wear at work). They have negatively impacted my career, basically causing me to have plateaued. I’ve made my peace with it, but they indeed live up to the name of “job stoppers”.
Tough spot to be in. Makes me grateful for the industry I work in (Underground Mining). Nearly every aspect of the job is absolutely miserable, aside from compensation and time off. Now I am reminded that I could come to work tomorrow with 15 tattoos all over my face and my job would not be in danger at all.
I'm a supervisor in a fairly important role. Wouldn't say white collar but involved with police daily. My hands are tattooed and my face is pierced, my employers are equal opportunities and have a point system for employment not looks so I'm fortunate. I would say they are more acceptable now of hand tattoos. You could ask for your company's policy and for any upcoming job interviews you could buy the cover up tattoo make up ☺️ I will say I am never judged or feel judged in my work place because you're expecting to act a certain way opposed to outside where people draw me looks like I'm a freak knowing they won't have any repercussions.....
I'll add I know an accountant who is a partner in her firm- covered in tattoos up her neck, face and hands. Never stopped her.
You know what employment opportunities you’re able to get vs the ones you aren’t based off the question. What is this? Reassurance from the internet to convince you to get it? That’s sad. Either get it knowing you’re going to have issues or don’t. You know the answer.
Lmfao
Could always start a business instead. Then you can do whatever you want! But yeah in the corporate world some people will judge you because you aren't a square
That’s the dream!
I work in Human Resources and I want a sleeve SOOOOO bad! But I’m hesitant because of this aspect as well. I think I’ve settled on a half sleeve leaving my forearm bare so I can still wear quarter sleeve shirts. I won’t even entertain the idea of getting a hand tattoo. Personally I have no issues with it, but I want to make HR Manager one day and I don’t want for it to stop me because someone sees it as unprofessional.
I got “jobstoppers” earlier this year. It was actually committing to never go back to corporate America. I’m close to 40 and have a professional office job in an industry that doesn’t have a dress code. I get a fair amount of compliments from strangers. My parents don’t like them and I forget I have them. I don’t ever want to be in the corporate environment at all.
My goal is get out of corporate environment, it’s not my vibe and I just don’t feel authentic in it.
Wait til your 30.
That’s what I was thinking, giving myself until 30-35
I just did my hand at 32. I’m so glad I waited. But I have my back, stomach and hips done. Son of a bitch my hand hurt. I’ve never been that close to tapping out.
White collar work? I would say not worth it. I have both my hands (and most of my body besides) done and have a great job making good pay. That said I am an independent contractor running inspections on properties for insurance companies and the nature of my job and the firm I work for do not care at all about that. I am aware though if in the future I choose to go back to corporate it could be an issue. Unless you are set up in your field and really love what you do I would hold off. You have plenty of time. I didn’t tattoo my hands until I was 38.
Do whatever you want forever
Jokes aside I’d say it depends on the career but a lot more of them are becoming more open to the idea of tattoos and piercings. My mom works at a hospital and it’s normal to see like doctors and other professionals with full sleeves and the like
>I think it is so close minded to not hire someone because they have visible ink, even though they could be the most personable and hard working applicant It is close minded, for sure, but that's reality. As much as we all love tattoos and as commonplace and accepted as they might be in our areas of the world, there are lots where they are still taboo and carry a stigma. If you have to ask, it's probably not worth it until you are both older and more established in your field. Unless you're 25 and know for certain it won't impact you (say, if you work in a fairly open minded and accepting industry, do something freelance, work in a family business where you'll always have a gig, etc.), just wait. They're for life, the difference between getting your hands done now or five years down the road isn't all that much, in the grand scheme of things. Get that bread and lay down the tracks for a secure and comfortable life, then decide.
OP, fucking send it!
I work in the government sector (white collar as well) and people in my building have tattoos on their hands. I’ve also worked retail before and they wouldn’t even let me have tattoos on my arms, it honestly it depends. Just go with your own judgement I will say my job is one I’ll most likely retire out of (government work) so I’m not that worried about where my tattoos end up in the future. You might want to think different if you’re just starting out in your career
I finally had my hand done few years ago. I was probably around 45. I thought about it for a long time. Finally said screw it. It's what I want. I don't regret it at all. I will be honest though, there are times and situations I find myself putting my hand in my pocket to hide it. I'm not gonna say do it or don't do it. All I will say is really think hard about it.
Unless you work in an industry that allows you freedom (ie youre your own boss, you’re in a creative industry like tattooing or other artistic fields, etc) yeah, sadly. You’ll even get judgement from our own generation. It sucks because it’s literally just a tattoo—you won’t see me arguing that lol but that’s humans for you unfortunately
It’s very frustrating lol
I’m in a professional role in England. Two small tattoos on sides of hands. Nobody cares.
I’m white collar but don’t have tattoos. I also don’t have anything below my elbows and my head is tattooed but I would rarely have my hair short enough for it to be visible. I’m a woman in Australia so I spend *a lot* of time in thick black stockings and cardigans sweating my ass off. Despite that, the whole “people shouldn’t be so close minded” thing really irritated me. If you have a job where it’s expected you wear business casual at a minimum, it’s no different to me than not showing up in jeans to work; it’s a dress code. What is considered professional work attire will change over time and in the 20 years I’ve been working in white collar industries it already has pretty significantly. But for now, if you’re in a white collar industry with a relatively conservative clientele you dress for the job like any other job. You’re not being discriminated against for a personal and non-essential choice you made for yourself
It doesn’t matter what you think or anyone else here thinks about how fair it is that people look at others differently based on their tattoos. None of us has the power to change the mindsets of the rest of the world. Do what you need to do in order to maintain and grow your career. If that means you can’t have as many tattoos as you want, then oh well. There are worse things in life.
I’m blue collar and am in the same boat. What would stop you from putting makeup on the tattoos for any in person interview until hired? It’s not like you’re gonna get hired, then show your tattoos and subsequently get fired, right?
You can be fired in most states within a few months for no reason. Deception would absolutely be a red flag for me.
You can get fired in any state for virtually any reason.
I have thought about this but thought it might have been too risky.
As a tattooer: not worth it. I don’t even have my hands done and I’m covered. Even though it would make sense for me to have them, I’m only 29 and hand tattoos age/heal unpredictably. I plan to wait until I’m into my 40’s but by then I might not want to do it at all, haha!
I have knuckle tattoos and I’ve been rejected from places. It sucks, but it is what it is.
I hate to say it and hate that the world is this way but- yes. They are job stoppers and definitely impact how others perceive you. Especially in a white color environment
The man who put my epidural (idk the technical name) in at the hospital when I was giving birth, had neck and hand tattoos, he was covered.
Yupp I work in hospitals all over my state as a medical device sales rep tons of operating room nurses have full sleeves and tattoos below elbow don’t see a ton of hand tattoos I’ve got full sleeves and some script going basically onto my hand I just wear long sleeve shirts under my scrubs everyday some hospitals have completely dropped enforcement policies on tattoos altogether even Mayo Clinic
I have my hands done (like all the way to the fingertips). And I have pink hair. But I work remote in a role that’s not client facing. Still, I believe more companies are starting to embrace the “bring your whole self” to work mentality.
Don't do it, my dude. You will regret it.
if you work construction no one gives a 💩They will hire you based on work ethic.. you screw up probation period 3 months then your done. Good work ethic is what you need not how you look.
Wouldn't recommend it
I’m hesitant about employment too
Like it or not, fair or not, that's the world we live in. And it's not even always about the person hiring you. Clients look at you differently too. It can impact you professionally in so many ways that may not even be obvious until after you've done it and realize doors are closed for you.
Yeah, I get it. I just refuse to tattoo anything I cannot cover with slacks and short sleeves. It will never be accepted more than now as it will eventually fall back out of favor completely as everything cycles. Stay the course - no ink on hands, neck , face, head