Meanings of Tattoo's Consumption by Different Professions

Purpose: To understand the consumption of the tattoos for different professional in the areas of Physical, Human and Health. Methodology/Approach: a descriptive qualitative research was carried out, using semi-structured interviews with 25 professionals in training from 11 different courses. To triangulate the data, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 5 professionals responsible for the Recruitment activity. Results: recruiters from more traditional areas such as Health, Law and Education are afraid to hire tattooed professionals, especially those who will have a direct service to the public. However, professionals in training use strategies to avoid suffering such reproofs, especially in job interviews. Academic Contributions: prejudice regarding the use of tattoos, which still exists even nowadays, confirms the findings of previous research on the subject, demonstrating that although this consumption has become more common, it retains an image of rebellion and insubordination. Practical Contributions: provides data to professionals in training, so that they intend to work in more conservative professions, so that they postpone the consumption of tattoos in very visible place at the beginning of their careers. For recruitment professionals, controversial tattoos represent more records of overcoming those who consume them than of rebellion. The overcoming characteristic indicates people who are, to a certain extent, more resilient and emotionally mature, which can serve as a reference for job vacancies that demand this characteristic. However, very conservative professional activities still require care when it comes to hiring a professional with very flashy tattoos exposed who will perform services to the public.