TATTOO-U

The following article is the second in a two-part series. Part one examined the opinions of students at UT and local artists regarding tattoos. Part two more closely examines tattoos, the job market and recent college graduates.

As mentioned in the first feature of Tattoo U, many believe that the stigma on tattoos has changed over time. Though people may not necessarily associate body art with deviant subcultures, the art form has not achieved full acceptance. One facet of society in question is the white collar workforce, where tattoos have long been considered uncouth.

Franklin D. Roosevelt - yes, the United States President - was known for having his family crest on his chest, as was traditional among the men in his family linage.

He's not the only famous historical figure to sport ink: Winston Churchill had an anchor on his right arm, possibly to carry on another family tradition. While Thomas Edison had five dots in the shape they would be on a die, the reasoning behind the famed scientist's body art remains a mystery.

More recently, celebrities such as Jessica Alba - four tattoos in total - and Ben Affleck, both with successful careers, are known to publically show their tattoos without pause from their agents and fans.

But what about someone who is just looking for a normal full-time job here in Toledo? Are there businesses here that hire full time ‘white collar' employees, but do not mind their employees displaying body ink?

"We deal with people who have tattoos all the time, but I find them not appropriate for the workplace," said Leigh Guerra of Quality Assurance at The Source, an employment agency in Toledo.

Quality Assurance has been assisting NBC 24 in their monthly "Get A Job Monday" where viewers call in the station to gain a head start on finding a career locally.

"Most of the employers we work with ask that employees cover up their tattoos with either long clothes or even bandages," Guerra said, to which she adds that the bandage idea came from a substitute teacher they hired to work at a local Catholic school.

He even suggests that if the tattoo is not in an obvious place, don't even mention it at all.

When first impressions make all the difference, a visible tattoo could mean having a job one day and being unemployed the next.

Michael Veh, another QA from The Source, had a slightly different outlook.

"Employers just don't want to see them," Veh said. "As long as they are not visible and don't jump out at you, employers are more likely to hire them."

He mentions that lower paying jobs like lawn care seem to be fine with tattoos being exposed, but he also points out that he has seen many higher paying positions hiring employees with ink.

"The difference is whether they are tasteful or not," said Veh.

This is similar to what Brian "Monk" Taylor, the owner of Infinite Art, a tattoo parlor located on Secor Road, said in the last edition of 'Tattoo U.'

"Maybe 20 years ago when I first got into the industry; it was mostly your blue collar factory workers. [Now] you see a lot more white collar individuals," he said.

Tattoos are becoming a more popular way to express one's self. Taylor and others feel that the modern job market needs to bend with the times.

It seems that once employees have been hired and blend in with the company, they may be able to express themselves a little more, but to get a job, the only guaranteed way to score a pay check is to cover up.

So does that mean people with tattoos need to wear winter clothes all year round?

Beth Nicholson, Director of Career Services for the University of Toledo stated that no employer they have ever worked with has ever said they will not hire people who have tattoos, though she added that is still not a reason to show them off.

"We are here to help students succeed," Nicholson said. "But that means they need to dress appropriately and be professional if they want to be taken seriously."

For Nicholson this means being "ultra-conservative" and possessing an ability to" know what kind of person the job is looking for."

The recommendation of "looking professional" is what any employer would want, not just for those who are covered in tattoos. Whether it be a full-time job, part-time job or even an internship, companies want to hire people who can represent their business the best to a wide variety of potential clients. Although views may be changing with the times, the aforementioned stigma still remains and could cost a business a sale or client due to their perception of some exposed body art.

"People looking for a job who have tattoos have never been a problem for us," said Eric Konoff of Claus Temporaries of America, Inc., which their website lists as having "50 years of experience finding jobs for people in the Toledo and surrounding areas."

"We like to focus on a person's skill set, not just how they present themselves," Konoff said.

It seems that job seekers with body art will need to hide their art for now in order to gain a company's attention, but as times are changing businesses are starting to simply want a good worker, no matter how they look.

For now, Michael Veh has this advice: when doing an interview for a job, "look in a way that would make your grandma happy."