Journal of Business & Economic Policy

Employment Interview Screening: Time to Face the Ink
Paul J. Antonellis, Jr., Ed.D; Rachel Silsbee, M.Ed

Abstract
This article focuses on the impact that face and/or neck tattoos may have on the employment screening process. With some estimates placing the number of possible candidates with tattoos as high as 28%, and the increase in social acceptance of tattoos, reveals that this research may play a significant role for the employer and the candidate during the employment screening process. Tattoos today can be found on men and women, with no limits on professional status and the tattoo designs can hold profound meaning to the wearer. This qualitative study analyzed data from 243 participants. The data was broken down into gender responses when it comes to assessing a candidate with a face/neck tattoo during the employment screening process. One significant theme that emerged is that 50% of the participants reported that they would hire a candidate with a visible face/neck tattoo depending on the position, revealing that employment screeners still feel that a visible tattoo may be acceptable for some positions and not acceptable for other positions.

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