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[drkamikaze]

Hi all,

In an earlier thread, people began talking about tattoos. I have one tattoo, on my forearm. Nothing too outrageous... two japanese characters.

One major concern of mine before I got it (while in grad school) was about getting a job and being a "tattooed profeesor." I mostly where long sleeved shirts, but granted, when I get warm, I frequently roll up the sleeves, so students usually get a look at it, and occasionally comment.

Is this the sort of thing that, when on interviews, I should be conscious to NEVER roll up my sleeve? What would you think if a interviewee rolled up hu's sleeve and flashed a tattoo?

BTW, I am not at all punk rock or such, and I have a nice traditional black suit to wear to interviews... though I do like to wear colored shirts with no tie. But I can alter that easily enough.

[rattusdomesticus]

I have a small tattoo on my lower back. With this location, my situation is different than yours. I will say that I do my best NOT to do anything that may offend a SC... and in any case would never show them something like my tattoo (even if it was located somewhere else on my body).

As far as being hired and then "revealing" it, I can't imagine it's a big deal. Of course the location of the college where you are hired could make a difference... say, in a rural location in a state that one might considered unlightened, one might want to keep one's tattoo not visible. At a larger city in the Pacific Northwest or the East coast, I can't imagine anyone being offended.

Any other tattoo'd want to reply?

[trystero49]

You can cover it up pretty easy with some waterproof makeup. I remember all the theatre people I knew in undergrad doing that when they went out on auditions ---- there's good theatre makeup that will cover over even the darkest tattoos, and it's quite thick, so you don't have to worry about it running everywhere.

[creationrebel]

I have "Bad Motherf*****" tattooed on my forehead.  What now?

[angel]

From the tattoo you described, I wouldn't be worried about 'revealing' it post-hire, even in a conservative rural area. A naked hula dancer, something that screams 'prison', not even in the northeast. But really, you'd get rid of it anyway, wouldn't you?

For interviews I think placement is important. Top or bottom? Is it low down on the forearm enough that extending you hand for shaking would reveal it, or would you have to take off your jacket and roll up your sleeve?

If it's low and will be revealed with movement, you can play it safe with trystero's suggestion about makeup (but try it out first, for a full day, to see what happens). Otherwise you can commit to keeping your sleeve down (say, a buttoned cuff).

I removed one tattoo which I'd gotten as a teenager (didn't like it, wouldn't have chosen it again), so if you don't want to be the tatted prof you have options. But yours sounds subtle and dignified, and if you like it I see nothing wrong with keeping it.

Oh, but the meaning of the characters: if someone reads Japanese, it's fine, yes?

[drkamikaze]

Hi Angel,

Yes, I like my tattoo very much and intend to keep it. It is not visible unless I take off the jacket and roll up the sleeve, and there is nothing remotely inappropriate/embarassing/unprofessional about the meaning if someone is able to read it.

So no, I wouldn't need makeup. I just know I sometimes forget that I even have it until I roll up my sleeve and see someone looking. I suppose I just need to add it to the list of things to be conscious about on interviews!

[goldenapple]

Honestly, what sort of interview situation might involve you taking off your jacket and rolling up your sleeves? Are you a marine biologist interviewing at Sea World? A veterinarian who'll be asked to deliver a calf during the campus tour? Are you baking the committee a pie? Does the department require interviewees to donate blood?

I would put it on your list of "Things not to worry about during interviews."

[case_insensitive]

Honestly, what sort of interview situation might involve you taking off your jacket and rolling up your sleeves?

Are you a marine biologist interviewing at Sea World?

A veterinarian who'll be asked to deliver a calf during the campus tour?

Are you baking the committee a pie?

Does the department require interviewees to donate blood?

This makes me think interviews are MUCH more interesting in areas outside of my own...

[drkamikaze]

This makes me think interviews are MUCH more interesting in areas outside of my own...

LOL

[mrhistory]

I have "Bad Motherf*****" tattooed on my forehead.  What now?

Celebrate it!  Circle it in red indelible marker! As long as you wear a tie, who cares!

[cattoys]

I have a pretty large back piece, which obviously doesn't show up at interviews (since, hey, my field isn't THAT interesting), but which most folk see eventually, what with summer dresses, evening events etc. My sense is don't draw attention to it in the interview, but other than that, it's no biggie. There are more and more tattooed professors these days, and nobody blinks at mine. Actually some people even endeavor not to notice it which is impressively unpreceptive since it is, as I say, big. I bet even in short sleeves, half the SC wouldn't even notice it...

[cronopio]

I'd worry a lot more about showing skin than tats. Meaning, thighs, low cut stuff, bellies. I realize the risk is greater for chix.

Now, a bare belly with a tat and a navel ring, you are good to go (but not to an interview).

I remember tats on chix at interviews (ankles, arm) and not being freaked. Dirty nails flip me.

[helpful]

Just don't look like football players with those ugly chains on their upper arms.
An artistic tatoo is Ok, but those chains and biker tatoos would automatically exclude you in my books and in the books of my colleagues.

[sabovision]

Why worry about this?  It is unusual for a person between the ages of 35-19 NOT to have a tattoo.

[adhoc]

Why worry about this?  It is unusual for a person between the ages of 35-19 NOT to have a tattoo.

It is certainly not unusual for someone in that age group to have a tattoo, but I would question that it is unusual to not have one, implying that most 19 - 35 year olds do.

In any case, it's irrelevant.  The reason to worry about it is that the SC and other faculty are likely to include a lot of people older than that who are likely to view it negatively. If keeping it covered is an option (and, really, how hard is it to keep one's sleeves rolled down and jacket on during an interview?) I'd say do that.