Once upon a time, the only people who had ink were men with lots of facial hair, ex-cons, bikers, and the military. Companies that make you cover your tattoo probably claim visible ink is unprofessional and unbusiness like and that can be true. Some companies such as financial institutions want a buttoned up, serious image. Your grandmother with the purple hair probably hates your tattoos, and she is the customer the bank wants to keep happy, not you. If working for a company like this is an important step in your career or if the pay and benefits are too good to pass up, suck it up, cover up, but do some research. If you are thinking about making this a career step job, invest some time in figuring out how ink can work for the company.
First, does your company want younger, hipper customers just like you? Are you the demographic they want to reach? Could your company benefit from having a younger face to help younger customers feel welcome? Could your ink help you do that?
Second, what is the competition doing? Do their employees have visible ink? Scope out the competition to see what they are doing that your company can do, too.
Second, what is the competition doing? Do their employees have visible ink? Scope out the competition to see what they are doing that your company can do, too.
Third, make your case. Do not disrespect your company or boss. Present a bottomline business case for ink. Show how younger, hipper employees can send a powerful welcoming message to young, hip, new customers, and increase market share.
You may lose the first few rounds. Traditional people and institutions change slowly. Sometimes it can seem like you are swimming through quicksand. Quicksand is tricky; if you stop struggling, lie flat, then slowly roll, you can get out without drowning. Take your time, do your homework and present your business case. If you do a good job, and the rules against ink are lifted, congratulations! You have won the first of probably many battles.
Patricia Haddock is a communications consultant and trainer with more than 20 years of business writing experience. She teaches business writing and professional development workshops.
Patricia has authored more than 600 magazine articles and 11 books, including The Time Management Workshop - AMACOM, Leadership Skills for Women -- Crisp Learning, Developing as a Professional - Crisp Learning, Office Management: A Productivity and Effectiveness Guide -- Crisp Learning.
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