CAREER COACH
My daughter is graduating and looking for a job. She is also considering getting a tattoo on her calf. While tattoos have become more mainstream, I am concerned it may reduce her opportunities. Am I too old-fashioned?
Listen, Dad, I have a daughter, so I feel for you. I don’t want my beautiful girl marking up her body with some symbol that may seem cool now but which she may regret later on, not to mention the potential impact it may have on a career. Whether or not a tattoo on her calf (as opposed to OF a calf!) is going to negatively impact her depends on what it is and whether it will be visible with work attire. It also depends on which career she pursues. Many creative industries won’t think or look twice, while other more conservative companies might prefer it to be a tattoo that will wash off. If she decides to go ahead, be thankful she isn’t getting inked on the face, neck or hands which is just — what’s the word? Oh, yeah — dumb.
My daughter is back in the job market, and despite a good resume, she is having difficulty landing a role. My issue is that many employers don’t have the courtesy to follow up. Even if the interviews go well, the communication just ends — no phone call, e-mail, nothing — and she is left hanging until it’s obvious that she isn’t going to get a response. Is this customary?
It is hard enough getting ghosted in a relationship, but it takes strong selfesteem to withstand the cruelties of the job-search rejection. I wouldn’t say it is customary but it is not uncommon. It is one thing not to get a response from a company that you send a resume to, since some companies will only be in touch if they are interested. But once a company does engage, if they don’t close the loop, shame on them. At best, it is due to a lack of sophistication in the recruitment technology; at worst, it demonstrates a lack of professionalism or is a reflection of the company’s lack of courtesy. There’s not much you can do to change this other than ask during the interview process what the timing is for being notified one way or the other. That may prompt them to be responsive.