Having Tattoos can increase your chances of getting hired?

14 February 2018 - 2507 days ago

Not too long ago we talked about tattoos in the workplace, and how having visible tattoos on your body (not just hands, neck, face), but other places that are technically easy to cover can have a negative impact on how you're viewed whilst at work, and at job interviews for potential work. Unfortunately in this day and age tattoos are still somewhat stigmatised, especially when it comes to 'workplace professionalism', and tattoos are still wrongly discriminated against. However, an article I recently read actually concludes that in some cases, tattoos can be a very good thing when it comes to job interviews and how you're viewed in the workplace!

At Magnun Tattoo Supplies where we sell YAYO Familia Tattoo Aftercare, we're all about embracing tattoos and individuality, so I was particularly happy to find out that according to a study presented at the recent British Sociological Association conference, tattoos can potentially increase your chance of getting hired for a job.

Most scholarly research concerning tattoos in the workplace has widely focused on the negative impacts of having a tattoo, with most studies inferring that there are little or no benefits to tattoos in the workplace, but still, the number of people getting tattooed each year is on the increase, so is this a sign that potential tattooed candidates are being viewed in a more positive light?

In 2010, the Pew Research Center reported that 38% of 18-29 year olds in the U.S have a tattoo, and a third of those people's tattoos were visible. If we look at older age groups, the number of people with tattoos decreases dramatically, showing that tattoos are a lot more popular with millennials; the people who are at an age where they're more likely still trying to establish their future careers.

A recent study conducted at the University of St Andrews in Scotland hypothesised that tattoos in the workplace may be seen more positively " thanks to the sheer prevalence of tattoos and increase in positive media representation". Professor Andrew Timming asked 192 people to rate photographs of tattooed and none-tattooed job applicants for two hypothetical job situations. One was for a fine dining restaurant and the other was for a popular nightclub.

Not surprisingly, the participants rated potential employees with tattoos lower in regards to the fine dining restaurant, however they were rated as much higher for the nightclub job, suggesting that depending on the type of establishment and brand identity, tattoos can actually be viewed as an asset. The researchers also found that found that tattoos can be "strategically used to convey the brand image of the company, particularly those companies looking to reach a younger, "edgier" demographic."

This certainly seems to be the case for a lot of brands. ASOS frequently use tattooed models to advertise their clothes. Diesel use lots of tattooed models to showcase their products, and even have an aftershave that uses tattoos as a marketing ploy, and many other brands use tattoo culture to represent their 'vibe'. A new restaurant in Manchester called 'Tattu' employ lots of tattooed staff as it fits in well with the edgy theme, and there are plenty of bars, restaurants, shops, and countless other fields that embrace individuality, so all is not lost when it comes to being a tattooed person with a perfectly good career.

I think it's brilliant to see actual data and research that shows tattoos in a much more positive light when it comes to the workplace, and I think this will only become more prominent as the popularity of tattoos rise.

If any of you have a story about how your tattoos have had an affect in the workplace, (or in general) then we'd love to hear what you have to say. Don't forget to leave us a comment below, and check out YAYO Familia Tattoo Aftercare on our webstore!