Job Discussion Forums

yeuxbleu

I have been requested by a Taiwanese employer to send not only a head shot from the past 6 months but also a full head to toe body shot. In the photograph I have, you can clearly see a large tattoo that I have on my right inner arm. Should I send them a photograph in which my tattoos are visible? Or should I take another picture in long sleeves and conceal the fact? Is this a primary reason why they would ask for a full body shot? From everything I hear, asking for these photographs is more common in Asian countries.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Wow, that's a first. Did they ask for your rap sheet too? Yes, I would suggest having another photo taken with the tattoos covered.

Chances are they won't help you get hired (the tattoos I mean). Tattoos here in Asia still have a lingering criminal element image, even though amongst younger people they have a more stylistic image. Unfortunately, the young are not usually the people doing the hiring.

creztor · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 476

I'd like to know which employer it is? Obviously I can see many reasons why you won't reveal that, but it does seem to be extreme. Cover it up with a long sleeved shirt and take the photo again. However, I think this might mean you will always need to wear a long sleeved shirt at work to avoid them seeing your tattoo. If you turn up in a short sleeved shirt with a visible tattoo, they might think you "cheated" them and could quickly cancel your contract due to some BS reason.

Insubordination · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 394 Location: Sydney

Geez, why do they need the full body shot? Next they'll be asking for naked photos.

yeuxbleu · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 9:33 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the replies!
The company is Hess, which I had thought was one of the best known schools in Taiwan so thought the request was strange, but that if Hess was asking other people may have heard about this.
I guess I will take another photo where you cannot see my tattoo, but I guess I may be wearing long sleeves the whole time! This was and still is a big question for me - should I be up front and honest and tell prospective employers? Or conceal who I really am and live a lie and just hope they never find out?

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

I don't think that hiding one's tattoos is living a lie anymore than if a woman covers her cleavage while working. It just makes good sense.

.

johnslat · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 10:45 pm Post subject:

"Or conceal who I really am and live a lie and just hope they never find out?"

Lordy - EFL gets more and more like real life every day.

Regards,
John

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

khmerhit · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:27 pm Post subject:

Angleina Jolie doesnt hide the tattoo she got in

C A M B O D I A
try it and see Laughing

johnslat · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:33 pm Post subject:

Dear khmerhit,

Much as I would enjoy having Angelina Jolie as a colleague, I have serious doubts about her ever applying for an ESL/EFL position.
But if she ever did, I'd love to see ALL her tattoos. Smile

Regards,
John

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Even the ones she didn't get in Cambodia?

Mrguay84 · Joined: 03 Dec 2009 Posts: 125

What about photoshop? It must be easy enough to 'get rid' of a small tat.

yeuxbleu · Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 9:15 pm Post subject:

if i looked like angelina jolie i could probably get away with anything. unfortunately i'm not so lucky, and i'm not having my tattoos removed. i'm stocking up on long sleeved shirts instead.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 6:18 am Post subject:

As an opinion I might add- I don't send photos to prospective employers. Not headshots, not full length...the practice has just always seemed discriminatory to me.

Of course, I can't really be sure, but it doesn't seem to have negatively impacted my employment.

Best,
Justin