Tattoos Can Cost You A Job

Tattoos are more popular than ever - More than 45 million Americans have one or more and the majority are in the 25 to 29-year-old age group. But corporate human resources experts say the decision to have a tattoo that shows prominently can have negative consequences come interview time – especially in a fiercely competitive job market.

A recent survey among HR managers showed that piercings and tattoos are the number one limitation on career potential. The hiring decision maker will decide if you are the right candidate based on many factors, not the least of which is your appearance and tattoos are proving to be a big drawback. A tattoo covered individual does not portray the executive look that most companies are looking for.

The decision on whether to reveal your tattoo on the job depends in large part on your field and your office environment. Most companies have an either/or policy – they either allow free rein or ban tattoos and piercings altogether. A lot has to do with the industry you're in, and what's acceptable for that industry. Obviously, controversial tattoos that signify a cult religious belief or are of a violent nature are going to be especially problematic if they are visible.

Corporate Policies can be pretty sweeping, so long as they don’t violate Title VII, referring to the portion of the Civil Rights Act that bans employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

People in their 20s and 30s are more likely to view tattoos as just another fashion accessory, but colleagues or bosses older than 40 tend to think otherwise.

A Harris poll found that while tattoos can have their advantages – three in 10 say their tattoo helps them feel sexier – about 16 percent regret the choice, the biggest reason being professional discomfort.

Businesses devoted to tattoo removal are popping up all over. Tattoo removal procedures increased by 32 percent in the past year alone, most because of employment considerations.

If you're unsure about how your tattoo will be received in a job interview, cover it up. Don't let an especially prominent tattoo upstage your appearance as a professional. It's fine to be an individual, but the reality of today's marketplace is that prominent tattoos are only going to hurt you.

Job & Credit Score

Even before you face the interview board for a new job, there is a strong possibility that the interviewer has already formed an opinion about you – through information contained in your credit report. Increasing numbers of companies are requesting credit reports to assist them in the job hiring process.

Essentially, your credit report is your financial resume and employers use it as an indicator of your personal integrity and how you conduct your life. With that in mind, it's alarming that 79% of all credit reports contain errors. In the competitive job market, an accurate credit history may turn out to be the decisive factor in gaining a job interview. Inaccurate credit reports can negate the most impressive of resumes, and you won't have a second chance to make a first impression.

Many companies are more interested in your financial patterns than your employment background. They want to know if you pay your bills promptly and lead a normal life ... whether or not you would come to work with lots of anxieties inside. So, credit report gives them an idea of how the individual might be expected to behave, if hired.

Rather than getting worried about it, you must try to utilize this recent trend of employer credit checking to your advantage by repairing and/or maintaining a clean credit history and wait 'fully prepared' for jumping into the dream job you are aspiring for.

Resources: Work from Home

If you are getting bored with 8-to-5 jobs and are planning to be at home and starting some business, you need some capital but more importantly some knowledge, some advice and some exposure to the issues related to how people before you could walk that path. Here we present some websites that you may find helpful to orient you mind toward that effort:

Score.org : Provides counsel from real business veterans on writing a plan and launching a business. This site is managed by the Small Business Administration's Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE).

WorkingSolo.com : Tips and advices for those who want to start working for themselves.

RileyGuide.com : If you are switching jobs, this site presents lot of useful links for work-related resources

Wahm.com & SlowLane.com : Parents who are planning the transition from a regular job to working or staying at home may benefit a lot from advices provided at these sites.