It is easy to make snap judgments about people based on their appearances. People do it all the time. Some people see a man in an expensive business suit and tie and assume he must be rich and successful. Others see a woman in short shorts and assume she is desperately seeking male (or possibly female) attention. Still others see someone with tattoos and feel uncomfortable, claiming the tatted person is bad news. This kind of judgment is common outside the office, as people are free to dress and express themselves however they choose. However, when an individual is properly dressed for an interview, is cordial with the interviewer, and is perfectly qualified for the job, should it really matter whether or not the applicant has tattoos?

I admit I have a personal investment in this issue; I have a tattoo on my left shoulder that I got after finding out my sister (who now has a perfectly healthy one month old) was pregnant. You can read about that here. Getting a tattoo was an impulsive decision, and the artwork I chose has significance to me. However, I chose to get a tattoo on my shoulder because it could be easily hidden and practically invisible to interviewers and those who feel uncomfortable around tatted people. I was afraid that if I got a tattoo on a highly visible area, I would be judged for it -- and I might miss out on amazing opportunities because of it.

As a college freshman, I wanted to get the word BREATHE tattooed on my left wrist but I didn't because I knew it would be harder to cover up. I also didn't want to experience the stigma surrounding visibly tatted people. US News explains that non-tatted applicants are thought to be smarter and less rebellious than tatted applicants and that hiring managers would be much more likely to hire them. In addition, my own family members have discouraged me from hurting my chances of getting a good job by making 'foolish' choices, such as getting tattoos in visible locations.

The stigma surrounding tattoos is learned and has been passed down from generation to generation. Back when tattoos were indicative of a rebellious subculture, it may have made sense to be wary of tattoos when evaluating job applicants. However, since recent reports, such as this Fox News report, claim that approximately 1 in 5 Americans has a tattoo, it's safe to say that tattoos have become part of the popular culture. With this in mind, it's time to re-think outdated perceptions about tatted people. Instead of focusing on tattoos, why not focus on a job applicant's skills, resume, and behavior? Focusing on these things will reveal who job applicants are and whether or not they would be a good fit in a particular work environment. That flowery tattoo on an applicant's arm, however, might just tell you that the applicant appreciates beauty.