Help Wanted! How tattoos, hairstyles, and attitude impact your ability to get a job.

Facial piercings and tattoos may be becoming more common and prominent -- but that doesn't mean they are any more accepted in the workplace, according to a new study.

Visible body art is often still seen as unprofessional and unwanted by co-workers. Researchers from Texas State University found, with people saying they would rather not work with someone with piercings and tattoos when face-to-face contact with customers is required.

In the study, more than 150 people were given the scenario of selling business insurance. The researchers found even those who had piercings and tattoos themselves were critical of others with body art.

The trend is most prevalent with young people, Brian K. Miller, who headed the research team said "about 16 percent of people aged 18 to 24 are sporting both tattoos and piercings.". And based on a study from Ohio University poll, it was found that about one of every seven adults are also tattooed.

Hairstyles and attitude can also impact that "first impression" when meeting the potential new boss. We've all heard that saying that "less is more", well when it comes to getting a job the more conservative the hairstyle and complete presentation the better. This is including your attitude. Leave it at the door!

Will visible tattoos and piercings or outrageous hairstyles impact your ability to get a job in certain work settings or most?

Also, is it untruthful if you don't let all your attitude shine through during the interview process or once you get the position; or just good sense?

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Comment by Willie J. Stokes on March 12, 2010 at 7:54pm: Last time this was up I spoke yo it and will again; to dress for success mean defining your sense of self and self direction in the organization. Yes you may be an individual but understand that person stands alone. So if one elects to let their dress or head wear define them then that person must accept being left out of representing the organization in certain forums. The whole thing comes down too "being an individual and standing alone or being a part of a team and building on the success gained in the organization"

Comment by MeMe Got A Six-Pack ♥.•´¸.*¨ on March 10, 2010 at 4:36pm: Thank goodness I work for myself in my jammies ... but in all seriousness, the only place I see facial piercings and neck tattoos are at "fast food" joints.

Comment by foxxychica on March 10, 2010 at 3:51pm: I am an educator of high school age students. A good number of students get these tattoos and piercings WITH their mom and dad. I've seen all type of "body art" and I don't think the kids feel like there is anything wrong with it when you have other educators and staff showing off their tattoos.

Comment by Tracy Coleman on March 10, 2010 at 11:24am: I feel that the way to end all of this is to say, let the person know what he or she wants to do in life, let'em think about it? Why I did'nt get that corporate job i've been going to school for 5 yrs. With face tattoos, on the neck face, hands. Let them wear funkey clothes for those interviews? See if they will find out why? Expressing your self? Fine, but remember personnel time is yours, business is there's...

Comment by Demon on March 10, 2010 at 9:46am: I work in the education field now, and was in retail mangement for 13 years, and I see sagging pants and tattoos all day every day. There is a line that shouldn't be crossed, but many of our youth have never been taught what that line is. Many of them go with the examples they've seen all of their lives. To the surprise of my students and some others, I myself am an individual with 7 tattoos and 5 brands (Omega). But..they are not seen unless I want them to be. Meaning, I put my body art and expressions where they are only seen when I'm in a very relaxed atmosphere. I really don't think I'll be wearing a tank top (wife beater to some) to class or anywhere thats work related. Even when I wear a short sleeve shirt, nothing is seen unless I pull up my sleeve. Thats the message I talk about constantly to my students. Theres nothing wrong with expressing yourself with tattoos, and some piercings, but be aware of what you are doing and how it may effect your future in the professional world.

Comment by Cuzisayso on March 10, 2010 at 8:22am: Working in the human resources, I have seen everything. Let's start with the "32 or 27 piece" (whatever) weave hair-do with the Skittle wrapper design on one side and M&Ms on the other side of the young lady's head, triple D bust lines hang out like a jumbo-tron advertising the tats of their babies and baby daddy names, to a young man complaining about his tax withholdings, yet he flashes me his $400 shiny golden grill. Yep there is a misfit island that will hire them -- it's called "a call center" (which shall remain unnamed). Can't people understand what happens at the hair show or on the video should stay at the hair show or on the video! Although many of these young folks were very rough around the edges and misled by the images placed by their misguided hairstylist, peers or T.V., I will admit there were few employees that were serious about improving themselves once they realized the world was bigger and more different than their friends, block or hood.

Comment by Halbert Jeome Rand on March 10, 2010 at 3:27am: I know one thing. If some of our young people don't see the light as to what is really going on in the "real" world, we're going to have a lot of jobless and broke young people. Tattoos and piercing all over your body, and sagging pants may have been cool at the time when you were kid. Get it!...when you were a kid. It doesn't fly too well when your being interview by a person who is wearing a Brooks Brother suite. And brothers...tennis shoes aren't dress shoes.

Comment by JULIA ANN BROWN on March 7, 2010 at 9:08pm: Come on be real.,,anyone who wears their pants showing their underwear or has face tatoos ,or piercings ,,,IT DOES NOT TAKE A ROCKET SCIENTIEST TO SEE ,, this is not the norm,,I would not spend my money where this is the first thing I see..There is something not sociably, morallyor feasibly acceptable, someone with this character flaw,is going against the GRAIN of society and it won't work,YOU ACT DIFFERENT in this degree ,YOU DRESS DIFFERENT to this degree,,YOU ARE DIFFERENT,,and in a situation such as this it , it causes you to ask yourself ..DO I TRUST this person,,look at what they have done to themselves oh yes you have your BERNIE MADOFFS AND SUCH ,,But really a person who wears their pants on a down low ..or has body piercings and visible tattoos should only be seen in a tatoo parlor ,,walking up and down in the ghetto,,I am an American Woman of African descent rearing three grandchildren in what was once the middle class section of town and now this is all I see and it has made a detrimental difference in our lives mentally .financiallyand if today I could move and put my grandchildren in an environment like we started off in I would because this mentality is like a plague ,,and I see it destroying my grandchildrens generation,,we have twenty convenient stores in a ten block area ,, none black owned come on now what is the deal..??????

Comment by Emeka on March 7, 2010 at 8:11pm: Lol Mark,that was funny,but true.
A lot of not only our young folk but some grannys now are sporting multiple tatoos and piercings,it automatically disqualifies them from a great deal of opportunity,especially in a recession,every employer is thinking twice about perception.They are definitely a drawback,that show poor judgement.If you want to express yourself,be an artist not a secretary or office manager

Comment by Quiana on March 7, 2010 at 4:43pm: This is silly, yet it happens. You can express your individuality, but when you're looking for a certain type of job, it's all about using common sense. Black girls unfortunately can't color our hair they way white girls can and get away with it. So we need to be certain that the color you do get is the change you want, yet it won't take over. Also, piercings are fine. But if you have them on parts other than your ears, they can cause a problem. Use a retainer. And if you have a tongue ring, use a retainer or a clear ring, and make sure you can talk properly with one in your mouth. I have one, but it never shows at work. I have tattoos also, and they never show.