Spring Break Mistake?

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

Picture yourself when you're 37 or 38, you've been working your keister off in your chosen field to build your work history, credibility and respect. You go into a huge negotiation or a major board meeting or a next-step-up interview with the big cheese, you stride in full of confidence, you've got your best suit and fabulous shoes on, you sit, cross your legs and ... staring up is this cutesy memory of spring break when you were 18, 19, 20 that you didn't think to at least get in a place you could conceal at appropriate times. Your credibility will drop instantly.

By that time, the HR person and the company president will also have tattoos.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

By that time, the HR person and the company president will also have tattoos.

Maybe in 25 years or so (although I still think the non-tattooed and non-strangely pierced will always rise higher and faster in more serious companies no matter how many years go by), but not in the next 10-15. My generation will still be at the highest levels and setting the tone and cutesy foot tattoos would not win hiring executives I know over.

[Zeeplane!]

You're already going to have a harder time getting a bid at an SEC school as an upperclassman.

Just to answer a few questions, I go to Bama, and I think they have a separate quota for upperclass PNMs.

Thanks for your replies and suggestions. I really do appreciate your input.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

She can't both hide it and NOT hide it. She probably also can't conduct an interview of tattoo'd sorority girls and aspirants at her school.

Recruitment is a situation with a specific sort of dress code, and it makes you look socially unaware to deviate from it. That said, I highly doubt, that should she receive a bid, that her sisters would be shocked and disgusted that she has a tattoo. I'd be willing to bet that she would not be the first sorority woman to have a tattoo, even at a school as conservative as Bama.

For example, during recruitment, no PNM or active would wear sweats. But of course, almost everyone wears sweats at some point, for some occasion, be it sleeping, lounging around the house, to class, tailgaiting, outdoor activities, exercising, etc. Just because sweats aren't appropriate at recruitment doesn't mean they're never appropriate or that people who wear sweats are sloppy. I think the same can be said about tattoos, it's ok to have one, just don't show it at recruitment (or job interviews and other professional situations).

OP, depending on the size and exact location of your tattoo, you can experiment with different sandals and footwear to cover it. A slide with two medium-thick bands or one thick band might work, or a closed-toe mule with a high vamp. Plus, you could cover the tattoo with a band-aid and wear whatever you want and no one will ask questions.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

OP, depending on the size and exact location of your tattoo, you can experiment with different sandals and footwear to cover it. A slide with two medium-thick bands or one thick band might work, or a closed-toe mule with a high vamp.

Exactly.

[goodie2shoe]

I think this is funny because on of my sisters actually has a really cute tattoo on her foot of a blue star. And I also know that a couple of the pledge classes that have gone through our chapter use to talk about all of them going and getting the same tattoo (such as our local symbol or one of our national symbols). But I guess that's a difference between Northern and Southern chapters.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by goodie2shoe

But I guess that's a difference between Northern and Southern chapters.

Not really.

[AOE2AlphaPhi]

At least 10 girls in my chapter have small tattoos, many on their feet. Of course, I do go to school in Washington. That being said, I really do not think that a tasteful tattoo is going to prevent you from getting a good job or being successful--the OP didn't say that she had something tattooed on her entire back, or face, or anywhere particularly obvious, I'd say that the tattoo is a permanent part of you and that if you have to hide it to get into a chapter, then I'd question why you want to be in a sorority with girls who wouldn't have accepted you because of something small like that.

[LoggerTheta]

Originally Posted by AOE2AlphaPhi

At least 10 girls in my chapter have small tattoos, many on their feet. Of course, I do go to school in Washington. That being said, I really do not think that a tasteful tattoo is going to prevent you from getting a good job or being successful--the OP didn't say that she had something tattooed on her entire back, or face, or anywhere particularly obvious, I'd say that the tattoo is a permanent part of you and that if you have to hide it to get into a chapter, then I'd question why you want to be in a sorority with girls who wouldn't have accepted you because of something small like that.

Said like a true Logger! Unfortunately, it's my understanding (not from personal experience) that the SEC is actually a parallel universe with different rules of propriety. Not better. Not worse. Just a different environment. To the OP: you know your situation, and if you're self conscious about it then cover it.

PS: would you PM me and tell me what it's of? I'm a mod enthusiast, and I have 5.5 hours in the chair of my own. Haha... says the other Puget Sound Logger!

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

Maybe in 25 years or so (although I still think the non-tattooed and non-strangely pierced will always rise higher and faster in more serious companies no matter how many years go by), but not in the next 10-15. My generation will still be at the highest levels and setting the tone and cutesy foot tattoos would not win hiring executives I know over.

What she said.

[FSUZeta]

if you are questioning whether or not you should cover up the tattoo or not, and have labeled your thread "spring break mistake" then you have just answered your own question. cover it up.

[ADqtPiMel]

I have a little tattoo on my foot, and I cover it with a bandaid when need be (during recruitment, if I'm wearing something at work that would show it, etc.). Not really a big deal...

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

Maybe in 25 years or so (although I still think the non-tattooed and non-strangely pierced will always rise higher and faster in more serious companies no matter how many years go by), but not in the next 10-15. My generation will still be at the highest levels and setting the tone and cutesy foot tattoos would not win hiring executives I know over.

Digressing, but I can't agree with you more. I remember one of my friends, who sports some sort of Gaelic band around her bicep, was told specifically to "cover it up". She was basically prohibited from wearing short-sleeve tops in a business casual environment. I do know that she is viewed as somewhat rough-around-the-edges by the directors of the company.

[Just interested]

To tatoo or not! Just look at the sailors from WWII now in their 80's. Ugh!! Looked great on young bodies, now ???? on great-grandparents? In the long run it really doesn't matter. The group you are rushing will like you for who who are but I would recommend covering it just in case.

[ZTA72]

My gen is still interviewing and hiring and I would say cover it up. What you do on your own time is great but don't show it in your professional life IMO.
ZTA 72