Never get a Tatto!

By: Qwaider

On:Monday, April 13, 2009 8:28:54 AM
In:Thoughts
Viewed: (2700) times

Currently 4.6/5 Stars.
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Rated 4.6/5 stars (28 votes cast) Thanks for your vote!

Trust me on this...

They "might" sound like a cute idea at some point in life, it might sound adventurous and attractive. But believe me, they're not. Chances are they will be the very thing that people will identify you by. What does that mean?

Forget finding a top job, forget landing that great position. Forget about ever achieving anything above lower management.

That's exactly what happened to Julian, a good friend of mine!

Julian, is a top talent, and happens to be more than qualified to fill a specific position that opened up recently.

He wore a suit... Combed his hair... and cleaned up pretty nicely. If it wasn't for his large tattoo, he would have been the first and only choice.

I know that this is very presumptuous of the hiring manager. But anyone in his shoes would have probably made the same decision. He just can't present Julian to external partners and customers. He just looks too intimidating.

Maybe he would be excellent choice as a hell's angels biker gang. But top IT service company, is a whole other story.

After the bad news came, I met with the hiring manager. Who happens to be a very good friend and a very respectable colleague. He made it very clear. It was the tattoos!

Folks, I know it's your body, your life, and your choice. But trust me, it's not worth it.

I wonder if there are long lasting (but not permanent) tattoos. Where people can enjoy them for say, 6 months or a year, then they would wash out, or get removed painlessly.

As a matter of fact, my advice to everyone for anything that is going to change your body (or your life) permanently. Think about it. If you're in doubt. Don't do it!

Memories....

#1
KJ
Said
On: 4/13/2009 10:17:38 AM
SpamScore=[-0.14]

what the hell where the tattoos of? erotic demons?

i think the hiring manager over reacted

#2
Ahmad Hamdan
Said
On: 4/13/2009 11:07:36 AM
SpamScore=[1.38]

I hate tattos and i never though that there is a good point of having one but your manager seems like he has overreacted even though your friend as you said is suitable to the job.

was his tatto in a part that is show from his body?

#3
mab3oos
Said
On: 4/13/2009 11:55:15 AM
SpamScore=[0.5]

unless the tattoo was on his forehead or on his hands, how did HR know of/ see them? Julian should have anticipated the reaction and prepared for it.

I have a snake wrapped around an anchor tattoo with the word عذاب underneath on my right ripped bicep. All done by me with a needle and a قلم حبر بِك. but, always able to cover if needed.

#4
Qwaider
Said
On: 4/13/2009 5:12:39 PM
SpamScore=[-40.63]

KJ, the content of the tattoo isn't the issue here. It's the fact that they're obvious that made the issue complicated.

Ahmad,
The HM, knew the guy, and has known him for a while. He's a very successful, decent, business oriented veteran who knows how the world works/thinks. I don't think he overreacted, but was rather preferring to avert the company future confrontations with clients, since the position requires a lot of interaction with external parties.

Garfan
In addition to the fact that the HM already knew the guy. The tattoos are on his forearms and some appear on his neck.

#5
lunZi
Said
On: 4/13/2009 6:20:23 PM
SpamScore=[0.5]

The same thing happened with my cousin's husband here in Amman but the obstacle was his long hair. We tried to convince him more than once to cut his hair but he didn't listen.
I wonder when people will stop caring about appearances.

#6
Qwaider
Said
On: 4/13/2009 7:01:38 PM
SpamScore=[-49.43]

But there is a lot that you tell about a person's personality from their appearance. Don't you think? It's not about being superficial or anything. But if a lady comes to work in a bikini. Then there's something wrong with her, despite the riots that her male colleagues would make if the manager decides to let her go home and get dressed :)

I'm not saying it's OK to judge people on appearance. But in business (which is not a democracy) dress code isn't optional. Unless you’re trying to hire a rock star

#7
za3tar
Said
On: 4/13/2009 10:49:01 PM
SpamScore=[-2.07]

Yup .. i simply agree.
If i were to do business with a guy with a flame tattoo coming up his neck i would be intimidated and uncomfortable.

#8
Marvin
Said
On: 4/14/2009 1:25:18 PM
SpamScore=[-0.51]

I agree - if you don't want a good job or a stable, lucrative career, by all means, deface your body. Pierce it, tattoo it, stretch it out of shape. It just makes it easier for other people to compete for a job against you. ;-)

#9
Eman
Said
On: 4/14/2009 8:59:09 PM
SpamScore=[-0.02]

I am taking a class on business etiquette and I can not say how much our professor emphasizes the fact that professional image is taken seriously in the professional world. If you do not dress or behave according to proper professional dress code and etiquette, than you are most likely never to be considered for a job in this specific environment.