I don’t have a tattoo, but both my sisters do.

For myself I just worry that if I had something like a cute cherub done age 20, then by now aged 52 it would look like a ghoul because the body is descending south!! LOL

As to covering up, I am not sure I think it depends on the circumstances.

There is definitely a reason to hide a tattoo at an interview even if you don't plan to maintain it. Your interview is your first impression. It is how the employer remembers you. A tattoo, like heavy statement jewelry or strong perfume, creates a strong impression. Whether bad or good, it has nothing to do with the job, so ultimately it's a distraction from the things you DO want to be remembered.

Furthermore, once you have established a good first impression, then you can gradually reveal more of your true self over time. Once they call you with an offer, ask about their policy. If it turns out you need to cover up, make sure you're ok with that before accepting. If anything, the fact that you covered it makes you at least look aware of basic interview protocol rather than defiant.

I don't have any tattoos, piercings, funky hair colors, or anything else...but I find at every job I have ever taken, I always take several months to get comfortable and be myself in terms of both style and personality.

I have one tattoo on my back and have only covered it for one occasion, my own wedding to adhere to the formal style of the day. I have left it uncovered for other events, including other weddings, it depends on how formal the setting is and the opinion of the host. Since it's on my back I do not have to worry about coverage during interviews anyway. I am not a fan of tattoos in high profile locations, I find in formal business settings, it's easy to judge down on someone with tattoos showing visibly. Especially when they are on the lower forewarm, wrists, shins or ankle areas, it just doesn't scream professional or serious to me. In more casual settings, it's easier to show them off, although in general I don't feel tattoos should be seen at work. I am mindful not to wear a sheer top with a tank underneath, this would be the only time you'd see my tattoo at work, so I don't wear those types of tops.

I do think the accetance of tattoos depends on the buisness setting, in some places, it's so casual showing them off is not a concern.

I'm 43 and don't have any tattoos (neither does dh). I would vote for "cover tattoos for interviews". Although I'm a SAHM at the minute, when I did interview people I definitely would NOT have picked a tattooed candidate given other qualifications are relatively equal. Sounds old fashioned, but it would be an easy way for me to decide between similarly ranked candidates. But your tattoos probably wouldn't bother me if you were an employee, if that makes sense.

I think Maya makes a very good point about checking the company's policy before accepting a position if you hide a tattoo during an interview but plan to show it once you have the position.

I guess my earlier comment about letting it show during the interview comes from two sources. First, how important is the tattoo to the individual? As others have pointed out, someone who displays a large tattoo in a highly visible part of his or her body is sending a different message than a person who opts for a small tattoo in an area that is normally hidden by professional clothing. Second, it seems overly optimistic to assume that people whose aversion to body art is so strong that they would automatically reject qualified individuals on that basis alone are going to change their attitude once they see the candidate in the job.

If your tattoo is small and/or easily concealed by professional attire, then covering up during an interview makes total sense, especially if you are not adamant about showing it off later. If the tattoo is hard to conceal and/or you are planning to reveal it as soon as you get the job, then covering it during an interview makes no sense to me. Two totally different situations.

Wow! Thanks for all the thoughtful responses. I read Kate's previous tattoo thread (thanks, Kate!), and left comments there. Way to "bump" a thread, eh?.

To clarify my situation: the interview was for a Master of Science in Midwifery program at Bastyr University, which is mainly known as a school of Naturopathic Medicine. Very academically rigorous, but not conservative. It's in a suburb of Seattle, which is where I live. I'd already posted my WIW photos before starting this thread...in fact, it was a thought-provoking comment there that inspired me to start this conversation.

I feel really lucky that covering my tattoos - and, in essence, a part of my Self - wasn't something I even worried about for this interview. Please don't think that was due to naivete, it wasn't. Rather, I live somewhere that has a great deal of acceptance (not even tolerance, but actual acceptance) of nonconformity. That is part of why I felt comfortable with getting tattoos in the first place. Granted, as RandomThought pointed out, here in Seattle it's almost nonconformist to *not* have any body art!

Anyway, I wasn't concerned because:
(1) The ankle tattoos are usually perceived of as henna, if they're even noticed at all. I wore hose because it was still cool, and they ended up blending the tattoos a bit, making them even less noticeable. My suit jacket covered my wrist tattoo.
(2) As previously stated, I am a nonconformist who dwells in nonconformist social circles. I personally know graduates from this program, and felt confident that my tasteful-and-abundant body art would be a non-issue.
(3) Midwives are non-conformists! Granted, that doesn't mean that all midwives are tattoo-friendly, but at the very least most have an appreciation for bucking the system in a thoughtful, provocative way.

If I were to interview for a position in a conservative field, I would of course have to consider a strategy for the "big reveal". I think that I would feel inauthentic, and therefore lacking in integrity, were I to remove my visible piercings and cover my tattoos for the interview, only to show up to work one day with them in/showing. On the other hand, of course I appreciate the power of a first impression. All I can say is that I would have to figure it out if I were actually in that situation.

P.s. I'm so tickled that Angie is on the fence.

That's exactly how I feel, Arya. I felt badly about the other job and the minor nose ring issue, as if I'd pulled a fast one on her. Thankfully, I never intend to go on another interview. I DO intend to give them, and I definitely know my preference - show 'em if you got 'em. That way the issue can be addressed then and there.

I don't have any tattoos, but my husband has one and wants another. I've just never had a desire to adorn my body so permanently.

I tend to be very nonjudgmental about body art, but then, I'm an artist and I'm a pretty liberal person in general. I've worked in very conservative environments and very artsy ones, and I think everyone needs to figure out what works best for them. If I were at all interested in working in any sort of environment that might hold an unusual appearance against me, I'd err on the safe side.

I am not crazy about any kind of really extreme body art (facial tattoos, etc), but I do very much admire a well-done sleeve or back tattoo. A former shampoo girl at the salon where I go has an amazing full-sleeve and partial back tat of the solar system, and I just love it for the detail and artistry, even if I could never do that myself. My niece, who is studying for her PhD in psychological counseling, has a beautiful tattoo on her back that is a stack of books.

My big beef is with tattoos that are poorly done, cliched, or clearly the product of drunken poor judgment. They just make me cringe.

Nothing to do with tattoos, but hurray for midwifery Arya. I had midwives for both my daughters' births, and I am grateful for the wonderful care, respect, and attention midwives give.

Thanks, crwilson! I am very excited about the possibility!

Fascinating reading!

My gut reaction to tattoos initially has been the stereotype of the dodgy tattoo on a 50 something man done when he was in his early 20s - the type of thing when it looks as if they haven't been able to move on from that time because of it.

The post on YLF some months ago about tattoos made me realise how old-fashioned and narrow minded I was.

I am still not keen on the idea of tattoos for myself (I can't imagine myself ever being certain enough that I would still want them 30 years later) but am now happy to enjoy them on others and understand more the motivation. As for the interview question, it sounds as if you are and were clear what was appropriate in that particular case, which is all that matters. I don't work in an environment when it would ever be appropriate to show a tattoo, which probably explains my still quite conservative outlook but do hope the interview was successful and thanks for such a thought provoking thread!