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Hello everyone :)

I just had a quick opinion question to throw out here. I have an interview tomorrow for a chiropractors office and its an employee position as opposed to an independent contractor position. 

I am what a lot of (untattooed) people would call heavily tattooed. A lot of my tattoos are visible in short sleeves. Being an independent contractor this isn't really an issue. My question to you all is, should I wear long sleeves to the interview and then when we get to the part about dress code discuss them then, or should I walk in wearing short sleeves with my tattoos visible and communicate that I'm more than happy to wear long sleeves to work (obviously rolling them up to work on clients)

I'd be grateful to hear your opinions (as long as you don't bash my decision to get tattoos, that's just not productive)

Thanks!

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I wouldn't wear long sleeves , because if you say "oh I have some tattoos", they may be shocked by how much you're inked up. Better they see for themselves upfront. Definitely, bring it up even if they don't. You don't want to give them the option to 'dismiss' you if you don't make it known that you're willing to tone it down.

I might say, however, that you might go conservative in your outfit. Don't dress like a school teacher if that's not how your normally dress - but nice, think "going to a family outing with my grandma outfit". The reason being it might read to the employer "hmmm, she's a bit rock and roll but she knows how to dress 'properly'.

Good luck tomorrow on your job interview! Fingers crossed!

Thanks! 

I'm thinking of wearing dress pants a nice top and a long sleeve sweater, but maybe rolling the sleeves up a bit. I don't mind covering them, especially if the money is as good as the ad said it was. I got hired for a job before and instead of asking about my tattoos waited to see what they said. And on my orientation day they told me to cover them...that was not cool. So I will definitely ask :)


I'm having a hard time trying to decide what to wear because I've worn yoga pants to work for so long that I don't even know what to do!

Sounds like you know what to do. I would go with the sweater with sleeves covering the tats. They could easily be the only impression the interviewer keeps of you and you dont want themto be concentrating on your tats rather than your skill and professionalism. Make them secondary not primary I the interviewer's mind. Unless of course, they have tats. The key is playing to your audience. The more you know about them the easier that is. Do a quick internet search of them,.

Wear long sleeves to give a nuetral first impression. Like it or not the tats and the pictures will give a first impression that may not be what you want to convey.  You don't know how the interviewer thinks, so make sure they see YOU, not the tats.

The tats are going to come up, no judgement, but in some circles it's hard to find a job with them.  I worked at a Conde Nast top 10 resort/spa, and I made great money ($38K worked 2 days a week) BUT a wonderful woman there was going through lazer treatments to remove her forearm tats to comply with new standards and was sadly fired for not getting rid of them 'fast enough'.  She had to work in long sleeves...hot, oily work in long sleeves...ugh.

I'm tatooed, in a coverable spot, and so many jobs will discriminate against visible tats, agree with it or not.

Katie, do you have an update? How did the interview go? Did you nail it?

I do think I nailed it :) The Chiro didn't see my tattoos til AFTER I massaged him. And I asked the office manager about them. She said 'no big deal' until i showed them to her, she sort of looked surprised at how many I have. I told her I'd be more than happy to cover them and she looked relieved. I'm going in for a trial period on Wednesday to see how I work with the clients and fit in with the staff, sounds like its in the bag right?

That's great! Woohoo! I'm so glad it went well.

Good work, I hope you get it! If you end up needing to cover them, I know a lot of people who like the Ink Armor coverup sleeves. They're a lot thinner and cooler and more comfortable than wearing a long-sleeved shirt or sweater all the time, and they come in different lengths and solid colors or patterns. They look very professional. The site that sells them is www.tat2x.com.

I can't imagine doing massage with sleeves.

Carrie Patrick said:

Good work, I hope you get it! If you end up needing to cover them, I know a lot of people who like the Ink Armor coverup sleeves. They're a lot thinner and cooler and more comfortable than wearing a long-sleeved shirt or sweater all the time, and they come in different lengths and solid colors or patterns. They look very professional. The site that sells them is www.tat2x.com.

Seems like a simple fix! Wear a very light weight dress coat or trendy jacket, (appropriate to where ever you may work), wear a short sleeve underneath. Take the jacket off when you give a massage, put it back on after you are done. I do sincerely hope you got the job.

Thanks everyone :) I'll know for sure Wednesday and I will let you all know! I'm thinking the Ink Armor sleeves are going to be my best bet and won't make me insanely warm like wearing long sleeves will. I've been asked to cover my tattoos for my current job, and usually wear a sweater between clients but I've gotten so lax with it. The money at this place is just too good to turn down :)

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