Potential Employees And Appearance

 
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Old 01-19-2007, 05:11 PM   #1
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Potential Employees And Appearance


I have been interviewing potential employees and there is one in particular that seems like he may be a good fit. He has a little experience and he seems to have a good attitude. He was wearing a jacket that covered his neck during the interview and on the way out the door he asks how I feel about tattoos. He said he can cover his arms up but he does have one on his neck. I tell him I don't have any problem with them but some of my older clients might. I told him new construction would be alright but the repaints may be a little different. We do about 40% new construction so I couldn't keep him busy on new construction alone. Has anyone else ran into this and if so, how did your clients react?

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Old 01-19-2007, 05:17 PM   #2
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Re: Potential Employees And Appearance


Tattoos are gaining acceptance more and more nowadays. If the guy is friendly, personable, clean, intelligent, etc., I doubt a client would care about a tattoo. (Unless its vulgar, racial, etc.)
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Old 01-19-2007, 05:20 PM   #3
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Re: Potential Employees And Appearance


As long as the guy is clean cut and dresses nicely, and has no peirceings, i think he would work out fine for repaints. Have him always introduce himself to the clients.
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Old 01-19-2007, 05:22 PM   #4
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Re: Potential Employees And Appearance


I have never seen one on someones neck, how big is it? Maybe you can get him a scarf and a beret and claim that he is a French artist
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Old 01-19-2007, 05:43 PM   #5
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Re: Potential Employees And Appearance


Yeah I think your right. Maybe I will try to make it a point to help build a relationship between him and the customer so they can see past the tattoos. One of my earliest mentors was a big man covered in tattoos. I remember painting the exterior of this house and it was so hot he would he would take off his shirt. They had a fifteen year old that thought it was so cool he hung around the whole time asking about his tattoos. The homeowners never had a problem with it and even took us in and fed us lunch every day! Man I miss them days.
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Old 01-20-2007, 12:35 AM   #6
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Re: Potential Employees And Appearance


I have long hair, nothing to prove, just my style. I get a kick out of doing my job and changing people’s thinking. I’m sure not everyone will have an open mind to the tattoos, but if he’s honest and hard working, anyone that holds it against him should look at himself or herself.
I commend you for giving him a chance!
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Old 01-20-2007, 10:17 AM   #7
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Re: Potential Employees And Appearance


If the employee works out good think of how much it could help your company..He could get your logo tatooed on his back and when ever he goes to the beach your'll get a ton of calls!!!
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Old 01-20-2007, 01:17 PM   #8
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Re: Potential Employees And Appearance


Quote:
Originally Posted by ruskent View Post
As long as the guy is clean cut and dresses nicely, and has no peirceings, i think he would work out fine for repaints. Have him always introduce himself to the clients.
We have a guy with a few piercings and long hair that is pretty clean cut. He does mostly inside remodel work. Some of the older customers tell us after the job is done that at first they felt a little skeptical, but after just a couple of hours of dealing with him they realized that he is one of the nicest people they ever met and does the best work they could expect. He gets nothing but compliments.
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Old 01-20-2007, 11:15 PM   #9
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Re: Potential Employees And Appearance


I have a fellow, young family man, a face handsome enough to ge a model, with arms covered in tatoos and a ring in his eybrow.
He is absolutely unflappable, has a terrific attitude, and gets along very well with every customer. In two full seasons I get nothing but complements about him. He does great work, and is an asset to my company.

I also had for 3 years a former rabinical student, also with tattoo covered arms, and a full fledged member of the Hells Angels. I'm hoping he'll come bak this spring. He is one of the finest natural carpenters I've ever seen, with a superior talent, a great work ethic and a good raport with customers. Every summer his best friend, who is also a Hells Angel, comes for about 3 months. Same story. If they were all lke this, every one of my men would be bikers with tattoos.
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Last edited by Stone Mountain; 01-20-2007 at 11:23 PM.
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Old 01-22-2007, 09:15 PM   #10
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Re: Potential Employees And Appearance


I beleive appearance is important and try to always be a step ahead of my competitors in most of what I do. I am considering enforcing a minimal dress code for everyone, except my subs, in 2007. This would mean a clean polo or button up work type shirt with company logo. All pants and shoes to be clean, no stains, rips etc.

I usually work for a older higher end clientele who would honestly be weary if a guy had piercings or visible tatoos. My personal opinion is that if I had the choice to hire two equally qualified candidates and one had visible tatoos, I would choose the one without tatoos.

Piercings? That's easy. Against our saftey rules and OSHA saftey rules. They must come out. I've been told even wearing your wedding ring is against osha rules. Imagine a eyebrow ring or a nose ring? They've got to be against OSHA rules.
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Old 01-22-2007, 10:48 PM   #11
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Re: Potential Employees And Appearance


Grump, that is a great idea. I bought shirts and hats for all my guys (two shirts`each) with our logo embroidered in , subs and all.
Makes a big difference.
Recently I bought 40 gorgeous real leather jackets, brand new, for $20 each from a major discount retailer here in Toronto. I'm having them embroidered and will be giving them to all my men.

Hats were $7 each with the logo. Polo Shirts $9 each.
T-shirts about $6 each.
Cheap at twice the price!
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Old 01-22-2007, 11:25 PM   #12
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Re: Potential Employees And Appearance


I frame homes for a living I own the busieness Ialso have "high end clients" I also have visible tattoos on forearms doesnt seem to be a problem with any of my clients. If anything they are good convorsation pcs.on the the other hand in my trade its hard to find a person that doesnt have a tattoo.Bottom line makes no difference if they have tattoos if the person has a great attitude and are exp. your hired.
 
Old 01-23-2007, 10:16 PM   #13
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Re: Potential Employees And Appearance


Hire the guy! Do not let a piece of art change you mind. I have no tattoo and never will get them, but I have designed many many many in my spare time for people. Being an artist I see nothing wrong with them as long as they are within reason.
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Old 01-23-2007, 10:23 PM   #14
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Re: Potential Employees And Appearance


Everyone's employees should be neatly groomed and dressed. Think ice cream man, milk man, or bus driver. No exceptions, you bunch of bums!

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Old 01-23-2007, 10:38 PM   #15
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Re: Potential Employees And Appearance


MD, I wish that I could achieve that image.
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Old 01-25-2007, 06:53 PM   #16
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Re: Potential Employees And Appearance


Quote:
Originally Posted by mdshunk View Post
Everyone's employees should be neatly groomed and dressed. Think ice cream man, milk man, or bus driver. No exceptions, you bunch of bums!

Yeah MD, you need to tell your avatar to shave or clock out!
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Old 01-27-2007, 06:13 PM   #17
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Re: Potential Employees And Appearance


I run a small remod co. here in st. louis and I have a couple guys that work for me every once in a while...I am covered in tattoos from my hands to my shoulders....Most of my work is in high-end areas such as Chesterfield & Ladue..and alot of condos in the city. I don't try to hide anything from anyone, I just go in and do my thing. I don't try to impress anyone anymore....and I get plenty of work. I have one customer, he's about 65 and he has a bunch of tats from the navy....now he gives me sh*t all the time. Because his arms are just a big blue blog ...so don't hold tattoos against anyone give them a chance and see what kind of work they can produce ....I had a hell of a time getting on a crew about 10 years ago and now they all want me back.

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Old 01-27-2007, 07:34 PM   #18
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Re: Potential Employees And Appearance


Basic on tats.

Older people tend to frown on them (find them offensive and radical). Older people also seem to be the more wealthy segment of the population, I cater to them. When I interview new hires and have two with similar aptitudes, the guy without the tats will be hired. Sorry, it's just business. I go where the money is.
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Old 01-27-2007, 09:48 PM   #19
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Re: Potential Employees And Appearance


This is construction; personal appearance means nothing.

Why should I wear nice clothes if i'm going to wind up with paint and caulk on them, for example.
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