Would a tattoo of similar size and location as this prevent me from being employed for a job?

The tiny thing behind her ear? Hmm. I have a tat there and have never had anyone comment on it. If in doubt then just wear your hair over it or buy Dermablend. I don’t think it would be a big deal, unless you’re going for a high-level position.

I thought that was a shadow from her earring, hehehe! I like it and if you wore your hair over it no one would know it was there. But wow, seems like that would be a hurtin place to get one???

@gemiwing What’s your tat?

@gemiwing Yep, that one.
@rooeytoo @gemiwing My hair doesn’t fall in a way that would cover it. See avatar :)

Depends on the company. Any creative business wouldn’t blink an eye, same for places owned by younger folks. Big corporate bank environments might be a different story.

@augustlan What about a retail store?

Random thought: If I was a cosmetologist, this wouldn’t be an issue…

I like it and it wouldn’t bother me as an employer. But it depends on the type of work you do, I am sure there are many conservative bankers, brokers, etc. who would probably frown on it. Course you could always wear a bandaid on it!!!

FYI It would be one of these symbols.

@rooeytoo I’d probably do the makeup coverup thing rather than a band aid… Unless it was a kick ass band aid lol

Well I personally do really like the Snoopy in his yellow rain hat and slicker, eheheheh! That would be appropriate (in my mind) for most all occasions!

@Facade I would think most retail places would be fine with it, depending on their clientele.

If it were me, I wouldn’t risk it. Just… in… case. I have quite a few large tattoos, but they are in places that are easily covered in my corporate environment. I understand loving tattoos, but in the end, don’t let the art you love be something that could hold you back in your professional life. That’s my opinion anyway.

@essieness That’s what worries me. But alternately, it’s so small…
@augustlan Yea. Would it be bad form to just ask potential employers?

I don’t think it would be a problem. Head over to the Fluther Photo Bucket to see the tattoo on my head I have to cover up every day for my job. I also have a tattoo on my hand that I have to cover up. I am thinking about trying some of that tattoo removal creme, supposedly it works. Burning it off is no longer an option.

Some companies will frown on visible tattoos, and especially a company where you are required to present a professional appearance to the public.

@Facade I always showed my potential employers my tattoos up front, just to make sure they knew about my tats BEFORE they hired me. I know you didn’t ask me, but I saw your question.

@Facade, if you do get it, I have some sushi bandaids you can have! :D

And that’s a cool location for a tattoo, I think. I like tattoos that are exposed but not “out there”. That’s a good location for that!

@Psychedelic_Zebra I can imagine how much of a pain it must be to have to do that. And excellent suggestion about showing employers.

@evegrimm I don’t consider myself to be very creative, so I’ll take your word on the location =)

@Psychedelic_Zebra Is there a story behind the eye?

@Facade I. Love. Your. Idea. Do you have any symbols that you are leaning towards?

@rangerr There are SO many. I came up with this idea years ago and had a few symbols picked out, but I don’t recall which ones lol.

I doubt it. I know tons of people with those, and it hasn’t stopped them. Plus, you’re too cute to not get hired.

@chelseababyy Oh Chelsea, if only that were true. But since I’ll be looking for a job in NJ, you seem to be my go-to girl =)

@Facade You know it’s true. Don’t be modest. What kind of job are you going for?

@chelseababyy I’m on Ambien, don’t encourage me haha Well, any job that will take me and somewhat accommodate my “needs.” I have my eye on a position at the DSW in Princeton, but I’m going to wait until the apartment for me and my man is finalized.

@Facade Oh please, you know how I like to encourage you when you’re drugged. I doubt a place like DSW would care that much. Especially being a retail type place. As long as you dress cute, act professional and do your job, I highly doubt they would really care about a tattoo that size.

@chelseababyy Leave me alone! :P And yea, that’s what I was thinking. I just hope the position will still be available in Dec.

The real question is do you plan on working at DSW the rest of your life, and could it affect any future employment you have. Depends on where you see yourself in 10 years, or where you want to be in 10 years.

One of the interns at my endocrinologist office has a little tattoo there! That’s also one of the places I want to get a tat.

@oratio It’s a zodiac symbol- nothing interesting I’m afraid.

Don’t do it, if you have concerns about what others will think of it. Either do it for yourself or not at all.

(On a tangent): The Western African symbols are way cooler than the Chinese character… uh, only because I’m Chinese. It really bugs me when some people have a Chinese tattoo and they have no clue what it means. For example, in the first photo you posted her character says “elephant”. Huh? What statement is she trying to make?

@lifeflame: Maybe elephants are her favorite animal, or one of her totems. Maybe she doesn’t feel like getting an actual picture of an elephant tattooed on herself because she’s seen WAY too many animals depicted poorly in ink. Not to mention, that’s an awfully small area for an elephant to be tattooed. Anyway, she doesn’t want the word in English (or whatever alphabetic language she speaks) because then all and sundry are free to laugh that she’s labeled herself an elephant. So she did some research and found out what “elephant” looks like in several logographic languages and decided she liked the way that one looked the best. Now people have to ask her what it means if they want to know and she’s free to tell people the truth if she thinks they’ll understand or tell them whatever she thinks will make them go away with the least amount of explanation if she thinks they’re going to be Judgy McJudgerson. Not that that stops people, obviously.

This is a bit of a side note.

I don’t know if you have any other tattoos or not, but I think most good artists won’t tattoo you on the head or neck for your first tattoo. I’m not sure if it because it is a highly visible area or overly painfully or a combination of the two. You might want to talk about it with your artist beforehand if it is your first.

Feel free to ignore this if you’re a tattoo veteran.

@fundevogel I have one other on my hip area. I plan to use a numbing cream for this one (if I get it). I’m gonna call the tattoo shop and get more info.

@swisskid I only worry about what others will think of it when they will be paying me and, in essence, supporting my livelihood.

@LKidKyle1985 Of course I won’t be there for the rest of my life.

I have openly visible tattoos, so for me it’s a no brainer. I know people put jobs into consideration, but since mine are on my arms and neck, they can be hidden.
The only issue I’ve ever had is being asked to cover my tattoos, having told them about them from the start. It just means wearing long sleeves. I still plan on getting more on my arms.
It’s always good to be upfront about this sort of thing, so the work place can tell you their policy. My wrist tattoo’s go unseen usually and I have to inform the employer about it. I also go with my lip ring in, so they know ahead of time that it’s there and they can tell me to either take it out or allow me to keep it in.

Also, I’m thinking the pain will be mainly from vibration and not the needle itself. My neck tattoo barely hurt, it was the position I had to sit in (with my neck bent) for like, twenty minutes that was most bothersome. And it sort of vibrates on your skull. Not necessarily painful. That was my second tattoo as well.
Good luck! I think it’ll look super cute on you!

@casheroo I’m very sensitive to touch (probably fibro). I almost passed out when I got my first one. They gave me some glucose tablets to chew. It was excruciating. So this one, which is in a much more sensitive area, will have to be done with numbing cream. I’m glad they don’t hurt you though! And thanks =)

@Facade Oh no, don’t take that as tattoos don’t hurt me lol. I was screaming during my first! I got the lidocaine put on like halfway through. It was a 4 hour tattoo (what was I thinking?!) Definitely do the cream and drink plenty of pineapple juice beforehand. (that was a tip an artist told me once)

@casheroo Great tip!

You could probably wear some kind of hair accessories to cover it up once it’s healed. Head bands, big clips, hats, etc. might cover it up. Also, foundation might work because your hair is short.

Also, I personally question the wisdom of telling employers about tattoos that aren’t necessarily visible.

@KatawaGrey I think some concealer can hide it

@rangerr the eye came to be from the days when I first started shaving my head, back in the mid 90’s. The friends I had back then thought my shaven skull would make a good message board, and would tease me with Sharpie™ markers. I decided to one-up them by putting an eye back there. I was going to put a zebra eye, but decided explaining what it was would be a pain, so I settled on a human eye. I ‘borrowed’ the artwork from this place much to the delight of the surgeons that work there.

@Facade the worst thing about using makeup or concealer is knowing whether or not it has rubbed off, especially in a place you cannot see easily. Just a thought.

@Psychedelic_Zebra I don’t make a habit of touching my face/head area so I don’t mess anything up. But I see what you’re saying. I think I have just the makeup for it though. It doesn’t rub off ;)

I can’t see any sort of minimum wage job caring about a teeny tiny tattoo. If they do, it’s not like your career is ruined. It’s just a starter job. Now I would consider what @LKidKyle1985 said, what kind of career do you see yourself going towards? I personally wouldn’t work for a company that discriminated against people with tattoos, but you may feel differently about that. If a tattoo could possibly prevent you from your “dream job” I would suggest not getting it. Many people have a tiny tattoo behind their ear. The girl who works at my bank has one. It’s not really as drastic as say maybe a neck tattoo.
Most importantly, if you choose to get it make sure you go to a good artist. The only thing worse than a crappy tattoo is a highly visable crappy tattoo.

@elijah I feel as you do. It’s wrong to not hire someone because they have tattoos, imo.

@Facade I guess it’s a fine line though. I would not discriminate against someone with visable tattoos, unless it was insulting or vulgar. If you have a swastika or naked spread eagle chick on your arm and refuse to cover it, I can understand a company not wanting you to work there. Know what I mean?

@elijah Yep, I agree

I have a tattoo in that spot and I’m hired…but they probably didn’t see it when they were hiring me

Just say NO to tats. Until after you have the job.

@Val123 I actually wouldn’t work for a company who didn’t hire people because of tattoos. So.. there’s that.

And I’ve decided to get it on the back of my neck instead if anyone cares