Software engineers are behind some of the most innovative and important technologies in the world. They create the apps we use every day, the websites we visit, and the operating systems that power our computers.
But can software engineers have tattoos and still work for the very best?
It’s a question that has been debated for years. Some people say that tattoos are unprofessional and can damage your career, while others believe that tattoos are a form of self-expression and should be allowed in any profession.
So what’s the answer? Does having tattoos have any influence on how successful you are as a software engineer?
Can Software Engineers Have Tattoos?
Naturally, there’s no universal software engineer tattoo policy that either welcomes or bans body art. The decision about whether or not to allow software engineers to have tattoos is generally left up to individual organizations.
Looking at the general picture, do tech jobs allow tattoos? For example, can you have tattoos working at Microsoft? There is definitely some good news in this regard.
Going with the current trends and the growing acceptance of tattoos in societies, even the biggest tech organizations are now beginning to accept that their employees might have tattoos.
In fact, some companies are even starting to see tattoos as a form of self-expression and individualism, which is in line with the values of many tech companies. Some of the popular tech companies happily accepting software engineers with tattoos include Amazon, Apple, and Google.
Can Jobs Not Hire You Because of Tattoos?
As sad as it might sound in this day and age, at least when talking about the US, there’s no law that protects people with tattoos from job discrimination.
This means that an employer can legally refuse to hire you or fire you, simply because you have a tattoo. The only exception to this is if the tattoo is related to a protected characteristic under federal law, such as race, religion, or national origin. But that’s not a given either.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. But the law is silent when it comes to tattoos and it’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
In practice, however, things are changing. With the ever-growing popularity and acceptability of tattoos, it’s becoming increasingly rare for employers to discriminate against people with body art.
In fact, many workplaces now have policies in place that specifically allow employees to have visible tattoos. So if you’re worried about not being able to get a job because of your tattoos, don’t be. The chances are good that you’ll find a workplace that’s tattoo-friendly.
Should I Hide My Tattoos for a Job Interview?
As with any job interview, it’s always a good idea to dress professionally and present yourself in the best possible light. If hiding your tattoos makes you think you’ll be able to present yourself better, then it might be worth doing so.
But ultimately, it’s up to you. If you’re comfortable with your tattoos and you don’t feel like hiding them will give you a significant advantage in the interview, then there’s no need to do so.
Remember that these days not many tech companies give a jot about whether or not their employees have tattoos. So as long as you’re well-skilled, confident and you can sell yourself well, you shouldn’t have any problem getting the job, even if you have visible ink.
Some Tattoos Are Best Avoided
While the software engineering industry seems to be rather relaxed about tattoos, there are still some types of body art that are best avoided.
This is because some tattoos can be perceived as offensive, racist, or sexist. And no matter how talented or qualified you are, having one of these types of tattoos is likely to damage your career.
So if you’re thinking about getting a tattoo, make sure it’s something that won’t offend anyone or reflect badly on you as a professional.
And when it comes to the recommended placement of tattoos, it’s generally best to avoid visible areas such as the face, neck, and hands – just in case you need to cover them at some point.
The so-called “safe zones” include all the areas that are easily coverable, such as back, chest, upper arms, legs, and even the feet.
In What Jobs Are Tattoos Not Acceptable?
The list of industries welcoming tattooed people is now definitely bigger than the one of those where body art is not appreciated.
However, there are still some workplaces that prefer their employees to be ink-free. These include some jobs in the medical field, the military, aviation (both flight attendants and pilots), and teaching – to name a few.
In these professions, having a tattoo can be seen as unprofessional and it can damage your credibility. So if you’re looking for a job in one of these industries, it might be best to keep your tattoos hidden.
The good news is that even in these more traditional workplaces, the tide seems to be slowly changing. In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile cases of people with visible tattoos being accepted into jobs that were once off-limits to them.
So even if you have a few visible tattoos, don’t give up hope – you might just be ahead of the curve.
Software Engineers & Tattoos: Final Word
Summing up, can software engineers have tattoos without worrying about their job prospects?
The simple answer is yes – in most cases, it’s perfectly fine for software engineers to have visible tattoos.
Of course, there are still some workplaces that prefer their employees to be ink-free. But the list of jobs where tattoos are not accepted is getting smaller all the time.
So if you’re a software engineer with tattoos, don’t worry – you’re in good company. And as long as you’re confident and qualified for the job, you should have no problem finding employment, even if your ink is on display.
