Personal presentation at interviews?

[_dogma_]

I don't think it should matter but it does.

I have a 6mm stretcher, industrial piercing, helix and lip piercing. The plug is small so you can't see through my ear, industrial is a pretty bar, helix is very small and so is my lip piercing. I've had employers not notice for weeks and then they ask when I got it done!

The reason I keep these in during interviews is because the holes look more unsightly than the piercings. In the case of my lip, if I took it out I'd be speaking funny and spitting everywhere!

I only have 2 visible tats on my wrists but I can cover them if need be.

I've had variously coloured hair, even got a couple of jobs when it was pink or purple. But I'd normally dye it before the interview so it didn't look crap and faded.

I've always worked with customers bar my last job which was as a chef.

 

[Skidder]

I couldn't employ anyone with any visible tatts or piercings for a client facing position. Not a chance, we would 100% lose work from it.

 

[Hilly]

As with anything in this world - people are predujice over looks. Be it the colour of skin, the social class you're in, or what have you. Every one gets judged.

If a guy comes in for a meeting, for a customer facing position with a load of tattoos all over his face, hands etc, then he's less likely to get the job - that's just how it is.

A stretcher isn't a huge thingg, there's people in work with them - but they are a bit few and far between. It might be having an effect (but also if you just take them out you get a random bit of ear lobe dribbling down), maybe it's an opportunity though to work with him on his interview technique. If you're good enough then you can make people forget about looks and their predujice.

 

[FARGO]

The reason I'm asking is my son has a stretcher and is looking for employment whilst he's studying.

Do you think his appearance is affecting his chances?

Alas, I think it may put some people off. Could you suggest that when he goes to future interviews he wears a solid (not hollow) plug or one which is of a subtle colour?

 

[dowie]

Simple question really. Do you think your personal presentation at interview is important? When I say personal, I mean tattoos, piercings, hair etc. Do you think an employer is personally influenced as what he/she deems as acceptable.

Ear lob stretching for example, do you think this is acceptable or not? At the end of the day, does it not come down to the opinion of the person interviewing?

Thoughts?

depends on the employer... job interview as a mechanic... sure... job interview at big corporate and you'd probably cover up/conceal anything deemed too 'alternative'

having said that one of the best techies at my firm has visible tattoos, long hair etc... IT is probably an area where its kind of accepted

 

[Siliconslave]

totally depends on the employer, but you're reducing your chances by having such modifications.

Point in case my last manager had about 15 more (visible) piercings than me, but is still a minor celebrity in the online payments space so my single pierced ear (small silver hoop at the top of my left ear) didn't even register.

However interviewing for my current position the only concern that was raised during interviews was said earring! Luckily i'd prompted for any concerns and addressed it by taking it out their and then and pointing out that it had never been an issue before but I didn't mind taking it out for work...

I guess the difference may be the types of job i'm going for where i'm out selling top teir enterprise ecommerce software to highstreet and global brands, rather than making them their morning latte...

 

[D.P.]

The thing is personal appearance indicates a lot about you personality. If you can't be bothered to cleanup and look good for an interview, then what is the quality of your work going to be like? Things like tatoos also indicates aspects of your personality, these may not be negative in general but they may be red-flags in terms of employment for some roles.

 

[Housey]

For me as someone who has over many years actually recruited people, it would depend on the role they were applying for. I would not feel comfortable putting a person with such modifications in a customer facing role, but I would have less concerns putting them into a back office role if they were good at their job and came with solid references. If I had 2 people of equal quality however the person with the best personality would win out and if they were both good I have to be honest and say the one in the suit would overcome the one with heavy ears, they just would. I would judge that it was a lower risk when all things were equal as if they develop they might become customer facing.

These threads are always funny, usually the ones with the "should I wear a suit to an interview" question, as they seem to be full of often young people without any experience of recruiting people, criticising people who make judgements on what people are wearing when they should "judge them on their ability". This is missing the point as my experience shows that people who make an effort to come across well in an interview are usually better than those that don't and of course you judge people on ability, but you also judge them on their professionalism and how they walk into a room in the first 60 seconds, how they dress, engage you and talk with you are a big part of that oh so important first impression, for that will influence all people.

 

[Maccapacca]

All of that I can handle..... smokers or someone that stinks of that last drained cigarette in the car park before the interview won't get the job.

 

[spudbynight]

As said, does this not depend on the job? Let's say for a high street shop.

The reason I'm asking is my son has a stretcher and is looking for employment whilst he's studying. He's had plenty of interviews but not been successful. I can't help thinking that the piercing is restricting his chances because regardless of how you and I might feel, my feeling is that it comes down to the interviewer and how he perceives the individual.

Where ratio of people seeking the same jobs seems to be increasing, is it not an advantage to be as natural as possible?

In most retail situations it would be prudent to consider that sort of appearance as a negative. The person working in a high street shop represents that company.

If you have two people who on skills and expertise are identical you need to find a way to separate them. If it is likely that even a single customer is going to be perturbed at the sight of one of the two then that is a way to choose.

Anyone who looks for a job with visible tattoos and piercings has to accept that fact that it will count against them in most cases. In addition to the fact that many people will have an issue with appearance it also shows poor judgement.

As an employer I would be more put off by someones poor judgement in this case.

All of that I can handle..... smokers or someone that stinks of that last drained cigarette in the car park before the interview won't get the job.

Agreed, turning up for an interview stinking of smoke is a huge black mark for most interviewers.

 

[spudbynight]

Absolutely, he views his tattoos (full sleeves, neck) and piercings (eyebrow and lip too) as ''who he is'' and therefore should not be hidden in interviews.

He has been to around 6 job interviews, he ultimately wants to be a primary school teacher.

"Who he is" is unlikely to be a primary school teacher looking like that.

There are certain things one doesn't discuss in an interview. Politics, religion, anything that is contentious.

Your son attending an interview with his current appearance makes a statement. Employers in an interview want to know if someone can do the job and will fit in. They don't want someone who feels the need to make a statement in their interview. Your son needs to get interviewers thinking about his ability. Every second they spend thinking about his appearance is time they are not thinking about that.

When interviewing for a job minimise the amount of reasons not to be offered it.

I have worked in Executive Search for over 10 years. I have my own company and have hired people myself as well as working with SMEs and corporates.