A woman's rant about her job application being declined has sparked a debate about the correlation between tattoos and employment opportunities.
Filming herself inside her car, Ash O'Brien explained how she was rejected via an "automated email" after applying for a job at T.J. Maxx.
Seeking clarity about the her rejection, Ash returned to the department store location in search of answers.
"So, I went in today, and I was like, 'What was the reason I didn't get hired?' And she was like, 'Oh, you just don't have enough experience. There [were] candidates with more experience than you,'" the woman described.
Image credits: ashxobrien
"I asked her if it was because of my tattoos. Obviously, a lot of places don't like tattoos," Ash, whose face and neck are visibly tattooed, continued. "She said that [it] wasn't the reason. I don't feel like that's true, but whatever. I'll leave it at that."
"I'm just wondering how teenagers and young adults who haven't had a job before are supposed to get employed," the TikToker said. "How are they supposed to get a job if these places are only hiring people based on experience? It just doesn't make any sense to me."
"Obviously, a lot of places don't like tattoos," Ash, whose face and neck are visibly inked, said
Image credits: ashxobrien
Later on, Ash asked her viewers to share their experiences on the job market as well as any obstacles they may have encountered during the hiring process.
"I want to see if I'm the only person experiencing this right now."
"I hate that my tattoos have been such a defining factor for me getting a job or not," Ash added. "Just because I have tattoos doesn't mean that I'm not going to be a good worker."
The job seeker justified her point, explaining that some of the most intelligent people she has ever met are covered in tattoos and piercings.
The department store employer informed her that she didn't get the job because there were other candidates with more experience
Image credits: TJ Maxx
At the end of the video, Ash addressed an additional factor that had caught her attention in recent weeks.
"All these places say that they're hiring, but I feel like they're not. Because I shop at all of these stores and see 'Hiring now' signs, but those have been up for months."
"For anyone looking for a job right now who is younger and doesn't have experience, I truly wish you the best of luck because it's very hard out here," she concluded.
In the comments of the video, people shared their opinions as to why they believed Ash was unable to go through with the hiring process. The general consensus seemed to be that her age or lack of experience played no part in her being rejected.
"Maybe it was the demonic spider or the goat with the pentagram," a TikTok user commented, referring to Ash's ink.
"H.R. supervisor here. There is no way any company would put you in front of customers like T.J. Maxx," another person chimed in.
A third social media user added, "I worked at T.J. Maxx, and they will hire just about anyone that comes off the street–It's definitely the tattoos and piercings."
"There's a reason that tattoo artists refer to face tattoos as career enders," a separate person wrote, while another said, "Tattooer here. It's probably the tattoos."
"I want to see if I'm the only person experiencing this right now," Ash said
Whether tattoos are okay in a workplace will depend on that employer's industry, company culture, and particular preferences, Indeed's website reads.
For positions where workers are frequently interacting with customers, it’s often the case that employers think twice before hiring someone with tattoos, if they even consider their applications.
In contrast, jobs with little or no face-to-face contact with the public are more flexible regarding body art.
However, people should also consider employers' subjectivities. Some managers or owners may have more conservative preferences and will not allow their workers to express themselves in this manner.
Meanwhile, in more relaxed company atmospheres, managers may accept tattoos at the workplace, perceiving them as a sign of individuality and creativity.
"If you have tattoos and are looking for a job, you'll want to consider in advance the culture of the companies you're applying to. Being strategic about where you apply can minimize the possibility that your body art will conflict with the organization's policies," the job site recommends.
Bored Panda has contacted T.J. Maxx for comment.
"It's probably the demonic tattoos," a social media user suggested
