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Discussion on: Do tech companies care about your look?

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cartinez profile image
F.

That's what I thought. I personally always try to look clean, polite and etc. and I find my piercings more like accessories that make my look more sophisticated (I don't look like I just came from a EDM rave party, or at least I try not to). An other question would be if I could leave them out of the interview and with time try to understand what's the company stance on their employees look, if I ever get the job in the first place.

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alainvanhout profile image
Alain Van Hout • Edited

Yes, that's a good question. I deliberately left that out of my answer because things are complicated enough, but there's indeed a difference between (1) during the job interview and (2) while actually working for the company. The implicit need to dress up (when there is one) tends to be substantially higher for a job interview, simply because that's a singular opportunity for you to present yourself and for them to interpret what they see in light of what they expect from their applicants (whether that approach is at all efficient, that's yet another different question).

So depending on the company, it could entirely be possible to not wear piercings during your interview, but in the long run still wear (some of) them on the job. That's of course not a given, just like some companies expect their software developers to wear a suit at all times while others only require it for a job interview but have no issue with wearing t-shirts on the job. And the same goes for punctuality or e.g. the use of swearwords (I've yet to come across a company that bends on personal hygiene though :-) ).

Depending on how much it means to you to be able to wear your piercings, it might be good to find out in advance whether they would be open to it. It would however advise against asking that during the job interview, because that kind of question tends to take center stage.