Tattoos or self-injury scars? (high school, college, best)

[Notruthincliches]

So I'm young and new at looking and applying for work. When I was a young teenager, I self-injured and now have quite a few prominent scars on my forearms and legs. I'm very self-concious/embarrassed about it and generally wear long sleeve shirts. Though, I was planning to get tattoos to cover them up in the future. I know that both tattoos and SI scars are not desirable in an employee but I was wondering which is less desirable? Which would be more likely to influence an employer to not hire me? If you have experience with this and can help, I would much appreciate it!
<3 No Truth in Cliches

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

I would prefer the scars to tattoos. You can save and eventually get plastic surgery to minimize them. Tattoos look "thug" to most older people like those who hire.

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[MaryleeII]

Best of luck to you in your job hunt!

Its tough out there, very discouraging. Hopefully you have resolved your past problems, but be aware they could resurface during your job hunt. Just be aware that job-hunting is very stressful. You might want to enter some counseling during that time. You need someone to talk to, whether it be a counselor, friend, parents, this board, etc.

My ds15 was into SI. It was pretty severe, and needed a lot of help. We think he's "over it" but we as parents are cautious. My DS will be job searching soon for a summer job and I have similar concerns for him.

Job hunting is stressful, and demoralizing. Try not to let it affect you. To answer your question about the scars, no, I would NOT cover them up with tatoos. For one thing, they could comprimise your skin and affect future plastic surgery. The tatoos also send the wrong message. As an "old lady" I might see them as some sort of gang symbol. I used to work supervising a hospital cafeteria. I supervised many high school/college age kids doing part-time work. I did NOT want any potential trouble-makers on my staff. I never had anyone interview with tatoos, but it would have made me wonder.

For your interview, just wear long pants and a long sleeved shirt. Do NOT wear a hoodie---my ds wears a hoodie all the time to cover up his scars, it just looks creepy to me.


Good luck

[skibarbie]

What Belle said, plus when you change your mind about the Tats, you will have the pain and scars from that removal too.

[Keliko]

I have tattoos, all of them can be hidden by a long t-shirt.
Most of my tattoos mean something to mean in a artsy form. A few of them I got during times of great pain or loss in my life so their extremely personal.
I have scars on my hands and wrists, covered one up with a tattoo, have had numerous friends with tattoos over scars, none of them are foul or obscene. Mostly of nature, animals, etc...
I don't think any of us has ever had problems with employment, but I think it really depends on what your personality is like and the field of work your in.
Good luck.

[lauramc27]

I have a tattoo that celebrates the birth of my daughter, so it is far from, "gang" or "thug". I think it is a personal choice and to be honest neither myself or my husband, who has a tattoo on his forearm have had problems getting employment. FYI, I worked in banking/collections for years and my husband is an engineer.