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If someone came in for an interview and had visible tattoos, I would be put off. I wouldn't necessarily think they will do a bad job but I would question their judgement on getting tattoos in a place that is visible when wearing professional attire.. First impressions are a big deal.

i draw the line at facial tattoos. I have tattoos and one of them is on my wrist, I describe its placement as unapologetic because there's no covering it (though I'll be required to when I start clinicals for school, hoping they change the policy first though). Most professional attire would cover most tattoos, I think as long as they're not offensive- hate symbols, graphic nudity, offensive language, etc, then I think it's not a big deal, but I think it's something you need to consider before getting one because not everyone feels that way & depending on the person hiring you & their feelings on them, they can hurt your chances of getting a position over a candidate who doesn't have any.

I chose option 2, but I think that it depends on the location and what the tattoo is. I myself have tattoos, but none are visible in clothing I would wear to work.

I also think answers will depend on people's professions! ie "traditional" office environment vs. retail vs. food services vs. hospital.... I think there are varying levels of acceptance. In my world, which is professional/traditional office environments, tattoos tend not to go over well during hiring.

I also think it's generational... ie the HB readership is average age 26-30 or so.. poll the 50+ crowd (often the ones making the hiring decisions) and the results will likely be different

Visible tattoos are distracting. Visible tattoos do not enhance the way a person looks in business casual or business professional attire. I don't think the person is less competent to perform the tasks they have been hired to do. However, I may question their judgment because the tattoo is visible I get to see what the tattoo they chose.

I don't think tattoos are a big deal, but if they're all over hands, wrist, face, neck, in abundance, it simply doesn't look professional (referring to a traditional office environment). But a wrist tattoo or something on your leg? No biggie.

I read an article yesterday about this teacher who is upset the Catholic school she got hired on to finish her internship (as a teacher) wanted her to cover her tattoos and piercings.

@blackbird: when I was a student working in public schools, I was required to remove facial piercings, they can be distracting, I get that. There have been teachers fired from catholic schools for being visibly pregnant out of wedlock after being raped, others for having IVF, it's not exactly an accepting environment, I wouldn't expect them to be keen on teachers with body art. They should have made her aware before hiring her though that was an expectation

heh. I work in a professional environment and I have visible tattoos on my wrist and leg. I'll probably eventually get more that are visible, while wearing clothing, as well.

I personally think it depends on the people and workplace. If there is an over abundance of them on your hands, face, neck, then it's probably considered unprofessional.

However, I find that people with these types of tattoo's generally don't go apply to be a lawyer or doctor or business man, either.

I don't think they're a big deal and I would hire someone with visible tattoos to do my job as long as they dressed themselves within the dress code and were professional in their mannerisms.

Ultimately, you get tattoos, you deal with the consequences of having them, and that means sometimes people won't hire you for the job. But, if you won't hire me because of my tattoos I bet I wouldn't want to work for you anyway.

Hmm, this is a tough one. I don't have any tattoos and don't plan on getting any. But I'm not bothered by other people's tattoos -- your body, your choice. HOWEVER, I do think, like in cases such as the one @blackbird shared, if your employer wants you to cover up tattoos or take out piercings, that's their prerogative. If you don't want to comply, that's your prerogative, you can work somewhere else. I mean I would love to wear pajamas to work every day, but I understand that my office requires a certain kind of dress so I don't

I agree with @mrs. bird. There are tattoos, and there are tattoos. A guy in my old neighborhood had a shaved head and a checkerboard tattooed all over his entire face and head. Someone would not do that if they didn't want people constantly staring. That sort of thing is not appropriate for most workplaces.

Depends on the workplace for me - I know a caterer who has a full sleeve, my hairstylist has tons, and the guitar player at our church has a full sleeve that is Narnia themed. Most of the cops my husband works with (and surprisingly enough, most people in the ministry he works in) have tattoos. I don't mind at all.

I mind stuff like face tattoos, tattoos that are lewd, that kind of stuff.

Like others have said, I like them personally. Appropriateness depends on the profession and location of the tattoo. In an office setting, I think face tattoos are a bit distracting.

I work in an office, but it's for a start up software company. So, a little more relaxed and casual (depending on your job function). The presence of tattoos wouldn't bother me as much as prevalence and location. The teacher above? That seems like too much. A small tattoo on the wrist/foot/ankle? Eh.

@JoJoGirl: I'm 36 and I'm heavily involved in the hiring for my team ;). Software companies tend to run younger, I'm not sure there's more than a couple people that even work here that are over 50.

I am an attorney and have several large tattoos that could be visible in some business casual wear. I keep them covered in the office because I feel like it's not really professional to have them visible. To me its more like a piece of my personality that doesn't fit the office, like I wouldn't wear a slogan on a shirt or politcal button. I have no problem showing them outside the office. I would never expose them at an interview. I don't think people should judge my work ability based on them but I understand some people might, but such is life.

It depends on where they are and what they are of. It also depends on the office setting. I dislike tattoos generally, but I realize that lots of people have them. I do have to question face and/or knuckle tattoos in a business professional environment, though.

@Revel: that's a really good comparison between political buttons/slogan t-shirts at work. In some places, you would never dream of wearing those; in others, you would, either for a special occasion, or everyday in a more casual setting. I think I agree with that!

I love tattoos (although I don't have any myself) personally but large or highly visible tattoos hinder professionalism to me. Small ones in obscure but visible places though? Sure.

I just think if you want a large tattoo in a highly visible area (neck, hands, face, forearms) it is your responsibility to consider your future in a career or job. Employers shouldn't have to accommodate your choices (if they are professional settings that require cover ups).

Well, what's a "professional" job? Aren't some sports stars and entertainers considered professional? Or do we mean professional in the sense of office job of some sort?

I think it depends on your job, how visible the tattoos are and what is it of.

I've known some very professional people who have tattoo sleeves.

I have one on my wrist and showed my BIL recently and he asked me why I would even think of getting one there. I told him that I can cover it up with my watch and it's hardly noticeable.

If someone doesn't give me the job because of the heart tattoo on my wrist, then I don't want to be working for them anyway.

Oh, I work in a lab and my work attire is casual so t-shirt and jeans are normal in my department. Having a tattoo is not going to make me unprofessional all of a sudden.