Piercings.

[jessikiller]

I'm looking for a job, yeah. Well I have two lip piercings that i know most people dont like.. however others do. This is who i am, i've had them for years yet i cant seem to get a job anywhere.. I know i sound stubborn if i say i wont take them out.. but why cant people accept me for me? I could probably do the job better than the other people they interview! I have excellent GCSE results.. 6A's and 2B's.. Isnt this like discrimination?

[lynlockwood]

it depends on what kind of job you're applying to. Look at the other employees- is there a dress code- do other people there have lip piercings? If not then maybe the piercings are the problem. If you are going to places where piercings would be acceptable eg independent bookshop, clothes shops etc possibly then it maybe just your interview technique that's letting you down. Why not get some advice from the local employment centre? You could always ask politely at the interview if the piercings would be a problem- the interviewer would probably be quite happy to have an open discussion with you about it- at least you would all know where you stand.If you really want a particular job and the piercings are the only things that are holding you back then you have a tough choice to make. I'm a teacher and I have had a nose piercing and I have a largish tattoo both of which I have felt a little uncertain about professionally but I don't cover up my tattoo in the classroom like I used to because people know I am a competent teacher and don't judge me on appearances any more. It's hard when you are starting out though. Good luck.

[vehelpfulguy]

I think lip pearcings are AWFUL.

I was served by a young girl in Sainsbury's a few weeks ago who had one and I though it looked just terrible.

A week or so later I went back and she had removed it.

She probably grew up during that week (and got fed up with the stares) and realised how terrible they look.

[missjef]

i have quite a few piercings, including nose, lip & tongue. I dont feel like i should take them out to do a job, though i feel that like lynlockwood put above that it does depend what job you are applying for, i have worked in a music shop and clothes shop and neither of them minded my piercings.
Try asking in the interview as said above, they should tell you whether they are okay with you wearing them.

What i have done in the past with a job in a shop that werent too happy with my lip piercing was get a see through retainer for it, like this one:
http://img.hottopic.com/is/image/HotTopic/2118 38_hi?$product$
because i didnt want to take it out and have it heal up.

I totally agree with what your saying. i always think what does it matter if you have a bar through your lip, it doesnt affect your personality or how polite you are! Though are are some people who seem to think it does!

If somewhere is not happy with piercings being in at work, rather than turn down the job because of that, maybe just get a see through stud for it like i did instead. :-)

[missjef]

vehelpfulguy That is your opinion, but if she was polite to you while serving you then what does it matter if she had a piercing? just because you have a piercing doesnt make you a bad person.

[pingping]

how about the middle ground - take the piercings out for a job interview, and if you get the job (hopefully!!) then you can always put them back in after a few days when people have had a chance to get to know you and your capabilities. Surely it is more imprtant to get that job you know you'd be great at than making a personal statement and possibly sacrificing your chances?

[Loosehead]

The problem is that all things being equal an employer will go for the candidate that doesn't have their face perforated. If you have a skill that is in demand then you can set the rules if however you don't then you have to make concessions at least until you get the job.

[WendyS]

Yes, I suppose it's discrimination of a sort but you have to realise that all people have their prejudices and if an interviewer is having to look at somebody's pierced body defacement which makes him/her feel physically sick, then they will not feel disposed to inflict this on other employees, or equally important, members of the public, if you're applying for job which interfaces with them.
And yes, you may have excellent GCSE results, but these do not make you an expert on how commercial life ticks, and if lots of people find your lip piercings revolting, you're going to be on the dole for a long time and all your hard earned education will be wasted. I'm afraid you've just reached the point in adulthood where you're finding that that life can be very unfair. But unfortunately, this is how life in employment often is and it would be a shame to let your stubborness rule you out of some good jobs. Why not save the lip piercings for your private life, at least for a while, and see if that makes any difference to your success at interviews? If it does, you will know where to draw the line in future.

[freak_unique]

I have exactly this problem, i have 10mm tunnels in my ears, 3mm in my 2nd holes, lip, tongue and septum pierced and however much im sick of toning down...ive had to take them all out and just change the 10mm tunnels into plugs that look like normal earings to get anywhere with jobs. Even then the black hair just gives everything away and they end up choosing some blonde plain person ...
prejudism annoys me...

[d0gsb0dy]

These piercings are made with the intention of drawing attention to oneself. This, to me, is a sign of immaturity. Mature people do not feel the need to resort to this sort of behaviour, and are therefore more likely to be considered for a job. At an interview, the decision to employ is often made within the first few seconds and is based on the initial impression made by the candidate. Your image may not be the one that the prospective employer wishes to project in his business. Being a rebel may fulfil your needs, but, sadly, there are penalties.

[luffdougie]

erm, for the guy above me, stop being a n*bhead, people usually get piercings because they think it looks good. and it does.

[missjef]

d0gsb0dy i think your view on this is completely wrong. People get their ears pierced - does that make them immature?? Some people may well use it to draw attention to ones self but i think mostly they do it because they like it and think it looks good to them and dont really care whether other people think of it.
People can also dye and cut their hair to draw attention to theirselves and also dress differently - that doesnt make them immature.

[mikey0118]

I think excessive piercing can be in breach of any company's uniform policy and you probably are discriminated against because of your two piercings.

By going to an interview with piercings in your lips, you're not giving a good impression. It's not often you see professional people with anything other than one piercing in each ear.

Why not go along to your interviews with an acceptable number of piercings (not in the mouth!) and when encourage to ask questions, ask about the uniform policy and the company's views on piercings.

Employers are less likely to judge you that way.

[xskababyx]

Hey,

I don't have any facial piercings myself, but I did dye my hair blood red for years. However, I am in my last year at uni now, and I have recently bleached the red out of my hair and dyed it over with boring nasty brown *sob*. I did this because I know if I am to be taken seriously when I look for a job, I will have to appear as 'ordinary as possible'.

Although I don't like it, it's something you just have to accept at the end of the day. Employers do judge on apperance and unnaturally coloured hair and piercings are a no-no when they are looking for presentable, approachable people to represent their business.

Also, DoGsBoDy is wrong to say that piercings are imature. Townies/'Ordinary' people make themselves stand out by plastering make up over themselves and bleaching their hair nasty shades of yellow. Are you gonna call them immature? No, probably because you date them.

[JeWeL41]

I am a secondary school teacher with earrings, naval piercing and a tattoo on my lower back but they are all inoffensive and can be easily covered up. I have seen some horrendous infections in facial and tongue piercings of students that I teach and even when you do decide to take them out the scars will remain forever. A 'take me as I am' attitude in the world of employment gives the impression that you are not keen to conform or work as part of a team and this wouldn't be very useful!

[doglady]

I have my lip and nose pierced, and I always take them out for interviews. But then I remove all my jewellery, apart from my wedding ring. I also cover all my tattoos.

When you get the job, just wear your lip studs for a day and see what happens. Chances are they won't remember that you didn't have them in for the interview.

I love my piercings, but I am aware that other people don't, and I don't want to be judged on them. No matter how much I think I shouldn't be, I am.

[jessikiller]

hey, i appreciate all of you replies, and i'm very very greatful for these, my previous job.. i just took the piercing out before the boss got here, but for some reason i dont think it will get any easier.. haha. Erm.. if you've seen the average scene kid/emo kid.. thats probably how you'd actually see me.. I have black and blonde hair, a fringe that covers one eye and practically all one side of my face.. i have the two lip piercings [snakebites] tongue, naval, back of my neck.. i also have two tattoos, but i can cover them easily.. i do get stares.. it doesnt bother me at all.. but the way i see it.. is this is something i like, something i relate too.. different people like different things.. the world would be so boring if we did.. i just dont think its fair.. and Freak i can totally relate to you.. the other person that sent me the link to the clear labret.. thanks very much too.. i've just ordered that. haha.. i can dress up if i want.. but its just not me.. and i wanna feel comfortable in my surroundings.. even if that makes me stubborn.

[jessikiller]

hey, i appreciate all of you replies, and i'm very very greatful for these, my previous job.. i just took the piercing out before the boss got here, but for some reason i dont think it will get any easier.. haha. Erm.. if you've seen the average scene kid/emo kid.. thats probably how you'd actually see me.. I have black and blonde hair, a fringe that covers one eye and practically all one side of my face.. skinny jeans and things that dont tend to match.. i'm currently in the batman/superman faze. i have the two lip piercings [snakebites] tongue, naval, back of my neck.. i also have two tattoos, but i can cover them easily.. i do get stares.. it doesnt bother me at all.. but the way i see it.. is this is something i like, something i relate too.. different people like different things.. the world would be so boring if we did.. i just dont think its fair.. and Freak i can totally relate to you.. the other person that sent me the link to the clear labret.. thanks very much too.. i've just ordered that. haha.. i can dress up if i want.. but its just not me.. and i wanna feel comfortable in my surroundings.. even if that makes me stubborn.