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As young, aspiring young professionals, we are always told ”dress to impress”, “first impressions last a lifetime.”
Before stepping into Corporate America we are warned to look and act our best. Head up high, chin-up and
stick your chest out. Don’t show too much cleavage, pull your pants up. Put a belt on, that’s too tight, those
heels are too high, fix your tie. All of these things are checked off of the checklist of success. But umm, we
never heard cover up that tattoo or take that ring out of your lip. Why is that?
Is it because tattoos and body piercing are simply out of the question when it comes to professionalism, not
even given a second thought? Are they completely unreasonable, far too unreasonable to enter Corporate
America? Or are they forgotten, too new of a trend for the success checklist to keep up?
After researching what Corporate America thought of this latest fashion, opinions revealed a slightly negative
take on them. Some said these trends represent an “unprofessional representation”, “mediocrity” and “simply a
joke.” So when asked what impact body piercing and tattooing can have on one’s success, it is obvious the
answer will be negative.
We can talk about moralities, the religious aspect, or we can take on the amount of success one will land in
Corporate America with tattoos and/or body piercing.
Most companies are not mechanically run.. People control a business. And as long as people run a
corporation, there will preconceived notions, judgments, and interpretations. Who would more likely land a job?
A well-groomed, clean-cut image, or one who is decorated with tattoos or body piercings? Some say let one’s
qualifications speak for itself, but a questionable image speaks louder. And which would Corporate America
hear the most?
Being professional has no shortcut or bypassing. Corporate America will not change. Business is business.
Professionalism will always remain. So listen to those who tell you dress to impress, pull your pants up, cover up
that tattoo, or take that ring out of your lip. It’s not professional. First impressions last a lifetime. Your
appearance can either make you or break you. Trends such as these were made outside of Professional
mentality. Let’s keep it that way. So choose wisely. Your choice will determine your success.
~Ikea Wilson~
"Nothing in Life is to be feared. It is only to be understood." ~Marie Curie
Ikea@blackfrederick.com
Before stepping into Corporate America we are warned to look and act our best. Head up high, chin-up and
stick your chest out. Don’t show too much cleavage, pull your pants up. Put a belt on, that’s too tight, those
heels are too high, fix your tie. All of these things are checked off of the checklist of success. But umm, we
never heard cover up that tattoo or take that ring out of your lip. Why is that?
Is it because tattoos and body piercing are simply out of the question when it comes to professionalism, not
even given a second thought? Are they completely unreasonable, far too unreasonable to enter Corporate
America? Or are they forgotten, too new of a trend for the success checklist to keep up?
After researching what Corporate America thought of this latest fashion, opinions revealed a slightly negative
take on them. Some said these trends represent an “unprofessional representation”, “mediocrity” and “simply a
joke.” So when asked what impact body piercing and tattooing can have on one’s success, it is obvious the
answer will be negative.
We can talk about moralities, the religious aspect, or we can take on the amount of success one will land in
Corporate America with tattoos and/or body piercing.
Most companies are not mechanically run.. People control a business. And as long as people run a
corporation, there will preconceived notions, judgments, and interpretations. Who would more likely land a job?
A well-groomed, clean-cut image, or one who is decorated with tattoos or body piercings? Some say let one’s
qualifications speak for itself, but a questionable image speaks louder. And which would Corporate America
hear the most?
Being professional has no shortcut or bypassing. Corporate America will not change. Business is business.
Professionalism will always remain. So listen to those who tell you dress to impress, pull your pants up, cover up
that tattoo, or take that ring out of your lip. It’s not professional. First impressions last a lifetime. Your
appearance can either make you or break you. Trends such as these were made outside of Professional
mentality. Let’s keep it that way. So choose wisely. Your choice will determine your success.
~Ikea Wilson~
"Nothing in Life is to be feared. It is only to be understood." ~Marie Curie
Ikea@blackfrederick.com
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Appearance in Corporate America
Contributed by Ikea Wilson,
BlackFrederick.com Youth Corner Editor
Published June 1, 2008
Contributed by Ikea Wilson,
BlackFrederick.com Youth Corner Editor
Published June 1, 2008