theweeknd

Account Executive

Tattoos + Sales?

What are your thoughts about visible tattoos as an AE? If you have them, do you think it's negatively impacted your career, sales, etc at all?

I've been wanting a half sleeve tattoo for quite a while. Career wise I see myself moving into a saas field AE/enterprise AE role so I have some concerns about those summer days when I'll need to wear a polo and the tattoo would be visible.

On a side note, if anyone has any thoughts on the above but doing sales in APJ as that's where I'm hoping to take my career some day, pls share your thoughts too.

Visible tattoos

Attached poll

LFG, who gives a f Career limiting Ok, but only if you're fine with never showing them in customer meetings

*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.

🤠 Culture

😃 Fun

💺 Outside Sales

47 comments

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CoorsKing

WR Officer

Retired King of the Coors Knights

If only Incognito was still here. Who gives a shit, it’s your body. You may occasionally run into a super conservative 90yo fossil who has yet to retire who may care, but I’ve never seen it impact anything in my personal career.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

If Incog can crush P&L Insurance with 60% body coverage, you can sell marketing tools with a half sleeve.

theweeknd

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Hahah for some reason when i first typed "tattoo" in the WR search bar nothing came up which drove me to post this. But I found a bunch of posts from Incognito preaching his tats. Love it.
Thanks for your input

CoorsKing

WR Officer

Retired King of the Coors Knights

Incognito was the best of us. #RIP

theweeknd

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Wait, what happened to him :O

CoorsKing

WR Officer

Retired King of the Coors Knights

Her*

She got suddenly banned without any of the “strikes” that are supposed to be given.

theweeknd

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Tragic..

handysales

Politicker

Enterprise Sales Lead

Fossil, lol.

Hard agree. Also I've been in and out. Wtf happened to Incognito??

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

It really shouldn't matter, but as others have pointed out, there may be unconscious bias. I've worked in tech for a long time, and there's a lot more latitude in general, so if you're in SaaS sales, you may not encounter as much bias. If you know your stuff and you're good at your job, anybody's initial issue with that aspect of your appearance should evaporate.

theweeknd

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Appreciate the insight.

hocktony

Big Shot

smileNdial

No generic answer to this.
Unconscious bias unfortunately still runs strong in the corporate world and winning a sale is never linked to one attribute; more like a hundred little things going your way. You’ll never know what those things are, but you want to control as many as you can.
You can do whatever you want of course, and you’ll never know if the tattoo is reason for the folks not giving you a meeting etc, but from my perspective, why would I willingly take the risk of putting myself at a disadvantage that’s fully in my control?

theweeknd

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Valid point. When I do get one, I'd definitely wear long sleeves for first meetings etc so I have that control aspect. But would loosen up as the customer and I get closer.

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

A lot depends on industry, but for the most part in the US tattoos won't have an impact. Obviously if you've got facial tattoos or something vulgar or offensive, you might be limiting yourself.

In Japan tattoos are still pretty taboo, becuase of their association with organized crime. Perhaps that stigma is fading, but in general tattoos are less prevalent in APJ.

theweeknd

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Thanks for the APJ perspective. . Old world kinda thing. Hoping that will change in the near future, as a lot of international workers/students in the west are bringing back more western traditions to conservative countries

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

This shouldn't matter.

E_Money

Big Shot

💰

I definitely think the taboo around tattoos is super outdated. I have tattoos and don't give af what other people think about them. It has never negatively affected my career and I (unless they are super obviously offensive) it shouldn't have an impact on employability. Like don't get "fuck offf" on your knuckles and then wonder why people don't hire you.

If you get a tattoo(s) you have to be ready for some closed minded people not to like it regardless of what you choose to get. If you want to get a snake on your face go for it, it's your body! Just be ready to either ignore peoples opinions or speak to their closed mindedness. Just don't be an idiot I guess.

theweeknd

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

100% thanks E Money

Rallier

Politicker

SDR Manager and Consultant

If you answered career limiting, I encourage you to leave the bank that you're working for

theweeknd

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

incoming finance bros in 3..2..

FattySnacks

Politicker

Senior Account Executive

I have a full sleeve and half sleeve. My last company wanted me to wear long sleeves, my current company doesn’t give a fuck at all. Same as everything else in life; you can’t please everyone.
I might not make it to VP of a FAANG company because of it but shit I wouldn’t want to anyway

theweeknd

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

I'd love to see a world where these FAANG execs had ink. What were you selling in your previous company, what are you selling now?

IndianaShep

Politicker

Director of Sales and Marketing

I think it provides an excellent opportunity to provide an aesthetic juxtaposition. I have tattoos, and they have absolutely helped me close sales. I also dress and groom well and wrap my personal brand aesthetics in to a presentable package.
LFG bud.

theweeknd

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Hell yeah you're a beauty. Tattoos = stronger rapport = more trust = $$$

Boudreaux

Politicker

Regional Manager

I have a shitload, full chest, and back but only half sleeve. I will be getting more but nothing I can't conceal. Mostly due to whom I am selling to and a lot of conservative religious buyers here and I am a Boomer, I am good with where I am at, but don't want people to think I am going through a midlife crisis!

theweeknd

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Love to hear it my friend.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

if a company/ prospect doesnt want you because of tattoos.....then fuck them.

id go for it.

i HIGHLY doubt it will effect you

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

I think it depends on What and Where.

IndianaShep

Politicker

Director of Sales and Marketing

Obviously a rooster tattoo

DataSlangah

Politicker

SAE

I have a 3/4 sleeve and have no problem with anyone saying anything about my ink

theweeknd

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

thanks for the insight and making me more motivated to get one. just need to find the right artist now haha

peachykeen

Politicker

sae e-commerce

Outdated perspective for sure. Now if you’re going for face/head/neck tatt’s you might run into some slight opposition. Or some 👀👀👀

ultrarunner

Opinionated

Account Executive

I think tattoos are awesome. maybe 25 years ago they would have been bad. Now they make you seem more human and probably help more than hurt.

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

The last company I was at one of our reps had a full sleeve. It was beautiful but I may be biased. He paid 10k for it and it looked very slick. This rep I am talking about was THE TOP REP of the whole company (100 sales reps). He was very confident and the nicest dude ever. I say if you get one, just be you. Times are changing and honestly people need to get over the fact that people want tattoos. They are cool. They are professional. Let's change the motherefffing world!

theweeknd

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

thanks for the comment sir and LFGGG

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

LFG!

LordOfWar

Tycoon

Blow it up

This shouldn't even be a question in today's world. Your body, do whatever you want.

I get compliments on mine all the time. Anyone who doesn't like em can kick rocks and probably doesn't pay their bills on time.

jcoup

Client Manager

I've weirded out an old normie with my tattoos. Also won business with them and got a job offer from a food truck because of them once.

IndianaJ

Area Manager

I can tell you from experience that mine have limited me in multiple areas. People definatley perceive you different, mostly in management. Unless it is a common trait in your industry. I have two full sleeves , that I have always kept covered with these great light weight moisture wicking dress shirts. I got them late I'm my career and most people do not know. I also feel it changed me as I try to keep them concealed , that adds a lot of stress. I have since stated to not give a shit anymore, as I got these for a reason and should not be afraid or stressed to show them, but as I marked above, it is career limiting. I've been looked over for managemnt roles because of them, not told that directly , but know thats the issue.

robbc65

Managing Member

You have to be you, so be you. If you want a tattoo get one, I have had a half sleeve for year and worked on Wall St for 20+ years and am currently in Private Equity and never hide it. As a matter of fact i will be doing my other arm within the next year or so.

Sandbagger31

Member

VP Sales

I've been in sales for over a decade, Im now a VP. I am not saying this to sound douchey, I am saying it because I have two full sleeves. I also wear long sleeves during meetings and in person events. I know that people might look or take my art a certain way but it also doesn't stop me from getting more. I would say that hands, or neck or face tats might be a harder win to get.

SalesViking

Valued Contributor

Partner Dev Consultant

at the end of the day, id recommend against having it go past your wrist. I have both sleeves, leg pieces and a back piece. Know the meeting you are going to, if it is with a CEO of a christian org, you'll probably want a dress shirt anyways so how would they know?

Pinarko

Contributor

BDSM

I'm rebellious by heart! I enjoy breaking rules by nature..and who decides what to do about your own body? I guess the answer is pretty simple. I wouldn't give a damn about my tattoo god only if I could decide on how/what to start with :))) go for it dude! I'm behind you!

IAMAM

Catalyst

SADNESS

I have a half sleeve tattoo, entire forearm. Been to P Club multiple times and consistently a top performer. I wear short sleeves or rolled up sleeves on calls and to meetings, never been an issue. Definitely pay a premium for a great artist so you don’t look like a douche bag with shitty tattoos though!

draculina

Fire Starter

process development specialist

I know many sales managers/directors who have tattoos, and I am not in tech, I’m in supply chain. I also have some two tattoos and I’ve never heard of their possibility of limiting my career.

Aswierk8

Fire Starter

Sales Manager

It's easy, cover up when you interview, and once hired, who cares. I have both arms down to mid-forearm covered. But, @bravado can't even bothered to reply to my emails.

OldSchoolEightiesStyle

Good Citizen

Global Vice President

Right on point Hocktony! Never give them the opportunity to judge you! It's not just the old 90yo fossil's that are taking notice.

procurementdevil

Politicker

I've got a large one on my ribs, I think my next one is going to be on the upper back towards the middle. I like being clean cut on the outside

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theweeknd

Tattoos + Sales?

Visible tattoos

47 comments

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