Should You Cover Tattoos & Piercings for a Job Interview? 8 Things to Consider

While more and more workplaces are becoming accepting of tattoos, piercings, and other forms of body modifications, plenty of organisations still frown upon them. But how do you know if the organisation you are interviewing with is comfortable with your body modifications?

If you are wondering if you should cover your tattoos and piercings for a job interview, here are a few things to consider: Interviews are already nerve-wracking and uncomfortable as they are. If having your body art on full display makes you feel uneasy, there is no shame in hiding them. Besides, you want to be remembered for your qualifications and potential — not for your sleeve tattoos and purple hair!

Employers’ perception of tattoos and piercings

One of the roles of an employer is to safeguard the company’s image and reputation. Managerial and higher roles are inclined to do this to keep the business healthy. Some employers are wary of accepting employees with tattoos and piercings, especially in client-facing industries, such as customer service. They may worry that heavily tattooed and pierced employees might appear intimidating and unprofessional.

While professionalism means more than one’s appearance, it’s also important to note that the majority of upper management usually composes of older people, some of them still subscribing to traditional views.

Another fact to consider: over 60% of Malaysians are Muslim; therefore, the conservative sector of the religion still dominates the society. Permanent ink is widely condemned by the dominant sector, making it a very controversial topic.

On the other hand, a survey done by Statista shows that 41% of millennials and 23% of Gen Zs in America have tattoos. As the younger workforce takes on higher positions, company culture also changes.

So, how do you navigate this tricky minefield, then? Here are things to consider if you are asking if you should cover your tattoos and piercings for a job interview.

Should you cover tattoos and piercings for a job interview?

1. Consider the industry you’re applying for.

Some organisations or industries accept body art and modification more than others. Check out the company's social media pages to know its work culture. Many companies post laid-back photos on social media pages compared to official websites. You can even view pictures of their workspaces and employees at work.

If you're still asking, "Is it okay to have tattoos at work?" you could also read comments or reviews by former or current employees of the organisation to get an idea about the company's culture through JobStreet’s Company Reviews.

Another interesting method would be to hang out near the office building you want to work at. Look out for company employees and check out how they are dressed. Can you spot anyone with a tattoo or other forms of body art? This may sound a little stalkerish, but it will give you the necessary intel.

2. Know whom you’re talking to.

Avoid judging based on the industry, organisation, or age of the hiring manager. Obviously, some industries tend to be more lenient towards body art, especially those in creative or tech fields. But don't take any job interview for granted! Just because you are interviewing with an organisation within a stereotypically liberated industry doesn't mean they would be cool with your tattoos and piercings.

Also, do not assume that every young interviewer appreciates body modifications. The chances of an older individual liking your artwork are that of a young individual who will hate it and negatively judge you for it. Know more about your recruiter to learn if it's okay to have piercings or tattoos in their workplace.

3. Remember that many companies will accept you for who you are.

It’s safe to say that we are now living in a completely different era. Much of the discrimination that people faced in the past has now been addressed. Zoomers are known to be the most disruptive generation in modern history. It’s only right that the current landscape adjusts to this eccentric wave of new workers.

Concerns regarding tattoos and piercings, while not completely accepted everywhere, are starting to see a level of acceptance.

4. Still unsure? Cover up!

Consider removing the piercing and toning down your hair colour before an interview.  Accessories such as scarves, thick watches and bangles, band-aids, long-sleeved shirts, jackets, and makeup go a long way when you want to hide your artwork. If you get the job, you can gradually lose the makeup and long sleeves if the office has a casual environment and tolerance.

It’s better to be safe than sorry, after all. You can cover up your tattoos and piercings during the interview, but save space for a discussion about it.

5. Be as candid as possible and disclose that you have tattoos and piercings.

Be clear with your interviewer if you cover up for the interview but have no intentions to cover up any time after the interaction. Let them know about the artwork; maybe even give them a little explanation. You don't want to give your employers the shock of a lifetime by turning up to your first day on the job in all your inked glory. This creates a bad impression and may not sit well with employers.

By being candid, questions like "Is it okay to have piercings at work?" will no longer be a problem, and you can focus more on the other aspects of the hiring process.

6. Relax and avoid fidgeting.

Keep your hands away from your tattoos and piercings during the job interview. If you have already decided not to remove the piercings, don't make it the focal point of your conversation with the hiring manager. Clicking your tongue piercing against your teeth while you nervously ponder an interview question is annoying to the interviewer. Most likely, they will remember you for all the wrong reasons.

Always remember that you are there to sell yourself as an effective professional. You don’t want the interview to focus solely on the fact that you have tattoos and piercings. If you have significantly large designs and know they will be a point of interest, it will be best if you cover them up.

Instead of drawing attention to your body art, focus on making a good impression. Maintaining proper body posture goes a long way. Furthermore, revert their attention to your other good qualities.

7. Manage your piercings.

There are many kinds of piercings. Most people have their lobes pierced with ordinary pieces of jewellery. Most employers don't mind these as they are quite discreet and fit well in a professional setting. However, other piercing trends can be pretty intimidating to look at.

Facial piercings are especially concerning for some employers. While they may be forms of self-expression, industries that deal with customers face-to-face may not be lenient with the idea. It's important to test the waters, assess, and adjust if you really want to take the job position.

8. Don’t forget that time is on your side.

Nowadays, people are becoming more tolerant, even accepting, towards all the various types of body art. In time, more open-minded people will be in managerial positions with the power to hire other younger people. For now, work hard, pay your dues, and hopefully, when you get to that managerial position, you will become the cool, inclusive boss you had hoped for yourself!

Conclusion

Unless you are 101% sure that the organisation you will be interviewing for is accepting of all forms of body art, it is best to let your qualifications rather than personal style stand out during your job hunt. Traditional views on tattoos, piercings, and unnatural hairstyles and colours are still deeply woven into the workforce today. You can never be too careful with making the right impression on potential employers. Discretion is, after all, the better part of valour.

On the flip side, always remember that your value is not attached to whether or not the workplace accepts your self-expression. At the end of the day, whether you decide to cover your tattoos or piercings or not, your skills and experience are more important for the jobs that matter.

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