Could a tattoo or piercing cost you your job?

"Could a tattoo or piercing cost you your job?", July 22 2009

Before the 19th century, the only people in Western society who had tattoos were prostitutes and criminals. However, as time went on and the colonial powers spread to other nations, tattoos became slightly more acceptable in popular culture after becoming a part of military culture.

My grandfather got two tattoos in Panama in 1947 while he was enlisted in the Navy. I always thought his were really cool, and at 10 years old I decided I wanted to get a tattoo when I got older. This decision may have been pre-empted in part because an older cousin got her tattoo that year as well. At 19, I got my first tattoo and I want to get more in the future.

Gen Y has grown up with various idols that have tattoos and piercings including musicians, actors, writers and artists. In recent years there has also been an influx of television programs that focus on the lives of tattoo artists and their shops including Inked, Miami Ink, LA Ink and Tattoo Highway.

I have also come to recognize that I am not an anomaly among my friends. I know many Gen Yers that have tattoos; some have only small images while others have large pieces that cover a lot of their body. Regardless of the size of the image, most of these tattoos can be hidden by clothing.

But this got me thinking: if I was to get a much larger tattoo or one in a more visible place, could that possibly cost me a job?

Even though many of the negative stereotypes toward tattoos have become less prevalent, they may still remain depending on your company’s culture. Unless you want to be a rock star, artist or tattooist, you’re probably not able to have tattoos that cover most of your body because you will not be seen as professional. Having large tattoos or having them in visible areas could cost you a job.

Although this can be seen as discriminatory, technically it is not.

Most workplaces have a dress code, which is a standard for what employees should wear to represents the employer’s brand. Some places of work have a ban on visible tattoos, and depending on the industry this can be appropriate.

For example, you wouldn’t want a kindergarten teacher with two nautical-themed sleeves featuring 1940’s pinup girls and skeletons on his forearms. At the same time, there would be less of a concern if the same teacher had a single tattoo of a scorpion on the bicep because it would remain mostly covered.

Body and facial piercings carry the same workplace issues as tattoos. Once again, depending on their placement on the body and the corporate culture of the workplace a piercing may or may not be considered acceptable.

If you are planning to get a new tattoo or piercing and you are already employed, talk to your current employer to find out what the rules are about piercings and tattoos. If you are looking for work, be wary of the fact that if your new tattoo or piercing is clearly visible it could prevent you from being hired by certain employers.

E-mail etiquette for students and recent grads

"E-mail etiquette for students and recent grads", July 2 2009

An employer's first impression of you often comes through e-mail when you apply for a job at their company and it's not uncommon for students and recent grads to alienate current and future employers with their spelling, grammar and other e-mail behaviour.

While the suggestions below may be obvious to some, when I was working as a co-ordinator in a university department and as a manager of a student service on campus at McMaster University, I received countless e-mails from students and recent graduates that made me cringe. Students and recent grads are used to writing to family and friends, and many don't easily make the switch from personal to professional e-mail etiquette.

Check out my tips for avoiding the most common mistakes:

What's in a name?

Using an e-mail address without some variation of your name in it can come across as unprofessional. If you're adamant about keeping the e-mail address you've had since you were a teen, set up a secondary account to e-mail employers from, such as firstnamelastname@email.com.

Regardless of the content in the e-mail you send, a message from lil_cutie_baby_69@email.com won't be taken seriously by employers.

Spelling and grammar

Good spelling and grammar are imperative to any e-mail. Many e-mail servers and some web browsers, such as Firefox, have a spell check function built in. However, the computer will not be able to discern between alternative spellings (but different meanings) of the same word. For example: there, their and they're; or to, two and too.

It's important to proofread an e-mail before you send it, and if you're not confident about your spelling and grammar skills, get someone else to read over your e-mails before you send them.

What's your point?

For the most part, e-mails should be brief. Give the reader your point as soon as you can, but at the same time remember to include the necessary details. If your e-mail is going to be long, consider apologizing for your wordiness in the first line of your message.

Also, each separate idea in an e-mail should be a separate paragraph. It makes the e-mail easier to read than one large chunk of text and also allows the reader to find important points at a later time.

Don't abbrvt plz

Never use text messaging abbreviations in e-mails. Getting your messages across with a limited number of words can be challenging, but e-mails do not have the same restrictions as texts. Unless you are sending a personal e-mail, you should be avoiding abbreviations, with the exception of words such as FYI, Mr. and Mrs., etc.

Are you tone deaf?

Come across as friendly, respectful and approachable in your e-mails: you don't want to appear demanding or curt. Sometimes this can be remedied by re-arranging your sentences or paragraphs. For instance, instead of "I need a copy of those forms. I hope your week is going well," try "I hope your week is going well. When you have a moment, may I have a copy of those forms?"

You also don't want to seem too casual in professional e-mails, especially to a potential employer. Unless you have already communicated with the person and have a more personal relationship with them, always avoid using emoticons and slang.

The type case of your messages is also important. Don't use all capital letters and, although many of us have gotten into the bad habit of not capitalizing anything thanks to instant messaging, capitalize letters where appropriate, just as you would in a formal letter or essay.

Mind your manners

There are three simple words you should never forget when sending e-mails: "please" and "thank you." Forgetting to use those words makes you look ungrateful and rude.

Kind regards, dear

If you don't know the person you're writing to, you should include their title or, at the very least, use Mr. or Ms. (try to avoid using Miss or Mrs. - never assume a woman is married). Once they respond, follow their direction by addressing them by what they sign their e-mail with.

When concluding the e-mail, use a transitional word or phrase such as Sincerely, With kind regards, or Cheers if you are able to be less formal.

Take your time sending, but be prompt when replying

Take your time when e-mailing a prospective employer; re-read the e-mail at least once before you send it. In terms of response time, reply to e-mails as quickly as you can because making the other party wait several hours or days is quite rude - especially if the e-mail is an urgent one.

Remember, if you make a mistake and do not realize it until after you hit "Send," there's no option to undo or take it back. A poorly-written e-mail reflects on your potential as an employee and it will often result in your e-mail being deleted.

Gen Y Perspective: Why you should offer a wardrobe bonus upon hiring

"Gen-Y Perspective: Why you should offer a wardrobe bonus upon hiring"

Many companies have enough stability to offer new employees a substantial signing bonus. Gen Yers are not the only ones who wish they could get an extra financial incentive for starting at a new company, especially with the state of the current economy. Some people might blow this money on something frivolous, but what they should really be thinking about is their wardrobe.

I know this sounds a bit strange, but hear me out. Most new graduates do not spend the money they make working during the school year or the summer months building up a wardrobe for an office environment – most of them are just trying to scrape by.

Offering a wardrobe bonus is a good incentive when trying to entice recent grads to work for your company, and is something that you should talk about in the discussion period that occurs after the interview. If no one else is going to take care of them in the same way your company will, the new grad is more likely to come work for you. Think of it as an investment not only in your human resources, but also in your company’s brand.

Many so-called “blue collar” industries provide a clothing allowance to their staff when they are first hired, as well as periodically throughout their careers. This is something that the corporate world should try to implement as well, not only when employees are first hired but later on down the road.

I’m not saying new grads shouldn’t buy clothes which can transition into the office, but most do not think about doing so until they actually have a job. So, once the end of the academic year rolls around and these former students are starting work, many of them do not have anything appropriate to wear.

Especially in the summer, new grads often leave the house in jeans, skirts that are a little bit too short, shoes that are meant for the beach, and “nice t-shirts.” After all, it’s what they’ve been wearing for the past four years or so.

Herein lies the problem: students do not buy the items they need for a professional environment during school because it’s not practical to wear to school on a daily basis, and once they start a job they don’t have enough money to pay for appropriate clothing until they receive their first pay cheque. Or, if they buy appropriate attire, it may come at the expense of not paying off their credit card balance or not having food to eat.

This is where a company can help alleviate some of the stress newly-graduated employees have when they first enter the work force. Once the individual has finished their first day on the job, I suggest giving the employee a gift card from a clothing retailer that sells clothing the company feels is appropriate to that workplace.

There is also no way for the employee to use the amount on the gift card for something unrelated to the workplace, as they are bound to that specific store, and stores do not give refunds in cash for purchases put on a gift card. Thus, the company is not giving the employee “free money” to use elsewhere, which can be a concern.

Even if the amount is small (around $100) it can still buy a few key items the employee may not be able to afford at that time. And, not having to spend a great deal of money to start an appropriate work wardrobe is something a new employee will be very grateful for.

Teaching English abroad, Part 2: Q&A with a future teacher

"Teaching English abroad, Part 2: Q&A with a future teacher", June 29 2009

Jeff Ferguson, a McMaster alumnus with an Honours BA in philosophy and English, will be leaving for Korea in October 2009 to teach English as a second language. I asked him to tell me about his experience deciding on and planning for the transition.

"How many people can say that they spent a year working abroad?"

Q. Why do you want to teach English abroad?

A. For me, I had no idea what I wanted to do long-term after graduating. I might attend grad school, but I knew that if I did, it wouldn’t be for at least two years after I graduated. I knew that I had to do something in the meantime, and a friend who was going to Korea to teach English suggested that I apply for it too. I looked into it, and it seemed like a really good idea. Travelling and working abroad has always interested me, and this was a very easy way to do it.

Q. How did you decide on Korea?

A. I know that some people do Japan, some Taiwan, etc., but I think I just chose Korea because I knew a couple of friends who were also going there. I then found out I actually have a lot of friends who are doing this too, and luckily enough, at least four in the same city as me. It’ll be really nice to know people who are undergoing the same thing.

Q. Why did you decide to teach abroad at this time in your life: do you see a benefit in doing this after having graduated, or had you not thought about it seriously before?

A. I hadn’t seriously thought about this until February when it was suggested by a friend. But yeah, I can see a lot of benefits — teaching experience is always good. It will be very good work experience, too. How many people can say that they spent a year working abroad? It’s a full-time paying job, too, so I guess it’s pretty cool that I have that guaranteed for 12 months after graduating.

Q. What certification do you need to do this? How did you obtain it?

A. Really, anyone with a post-secondary degree can do it. I have a degree in English which puts me one step above the competition — most people who have a degree in something else have to take a TESL (Teach English as a second language) course if they want to receive the same pay that someone with a degree in English will.

Q. What are some potential challenges you can foresee?

A. Where to start? Culture shock, homesickness, not knowing the Korean language… and that doesn’t even begin to cover the actual job. Teaching a group of children is always a challenge; add on the fact that I’m not fluent in their language and they’re not in mine… yeah, it’ll be tough.

Teaching English abroad: Q&A with a former teacher

"Teaching English abroad: Q&A with a former teacher", June 25 2009

Many students and recent grads – with humanities backgrounds and other academic disciplines – choose to teach English in foreign countries, either as a break between academic years or shortly after graduation. It gives them a full-time job with decent pay, work experience, teaching experience and a means by which to travel the world.

I know several people who are currently abroad or leaving within the next year. I recently interviewed Liam Caldwell, a McMaster alumnus with an honours BA in French literature, who spent a year teaching English in France, to get feedback from his experience.

Q. Why did you choose to teach English abroad?

A. I wanted some time to explore more of the language than what was available in a classroom setting, so I took time off between my third and final year to go teach English in France and explore in my spare time.

Q. How did you decide on France?

A. I majored in French literature and wanted to brush up on my spoken French, simple reason enough. Although Korea or Japan seemed very tempting, what with samurais, sushi, technogadgets, gundams and kimchi, I wanted to come back with having learnt something about myself as well as improved upon what I had been studying the past 12 years of my life.

Q. Why did you do this just before your last year? Do you wish you had done it sooner, or waited until after graduation?

A. I firmly believe that I made the right choice to flee the country after my third year. Before I had gone, my marks were dismal and work ethic was shit. I needed to get away and re-build myself so-to-speak; to work on interesting and motivating tasks to make me think outside of a student’s niche.

"I travelled quite a bit across France, England, Italy, Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg. I also really really enjoyed the food." —Liam Caldwell

The program really helped me help myself. I made up lesson plans and activities on a day to basis. I went out on the town meeting new (and sometimes strange) people. It really bolstered my speaking skills and understanding of French culture.

Had I done it earlier, I don’t believe I could have had the same rapport with my students. I taught ages 15-23, from both technical and academic levels. I doubt I would have been taken seriously or held the same authority if I were to have taught at 21.

Putting travelling off until after graduation is a waste of time. If I were to have waited, I would not have been able to pour everything I learnt and experienced into my final year. As a result of such, I raised my [CGPA] from a [C+ to an A-] and made the Dean’s Honour list for the first time in my academic career. At times, I would be asked what I was doing in the French program if I were already French. Haha - big surprise, work pays off.

Q. What were some challenges you faced?

A. Getting the students interested in the material I presented. Getting out of Paris after dark. Getting my work visa (I never did finish the application). My apartment burnt down. Making friends was tough at first, because most people my age were my students… but I managed to find a few and we still keep in touch.

Q. What was your favourite part of the experience?

A. Every month and a half I received two weeks paid vacation. I travelled quite a bit across France, England, Italy, Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg. I also really really enjoyed the food.

Q. Would you consider teaching ESL classes in Canada and do that as a job (either part-time or full-time)? Why or why not?

A. Sure! But I’d be hard pressed to teach English to someone who spoke Chinese or Fulani. I think to effectively teach a new language to someone, I’d need some understanding of how they think linguistically. It’s definitely a consideration.

Entry-Level Living: How to Exercise for Less

"Entry-Level Living: How to Exercise for Less", June 17 2009.

Everyone knows about the Freshman 15 before they start university, but no one seems to consider the more damaging Fourth-Year Fat Suit.

The first-year weight-gain is caused mostly by the high-calorie, low-nutrition foods in residence. Fourth-year students, however, are so busy they end up eating whatever convenience food is available because time does not allow for boiling water, let alone preparing balanced snacks and meals.

As a result, grads leave school a little bit more portly than when they entered four years before.

Common sense dictates they should buy a gym membership and their weight problems will be solved in a few months with considerable effort and discipline. However, due to student loans, consumer debt and being either unemployed or underemployed, many new grads cannot afford to purchase a gym membership.

Luckily, there are plenty of creative ways to get some exercise that will help you get rid of that excess weight and won’t cost you much (or anything)!

Walk or bike where you want to go instead of driving

Even if you don’t live in a major city where everything you need is right outside your door, chances are the nearest grocery store, drug store, coffee shop, etc. is only a few kilometres from your house. If you’re just running out to grab a few items and you have the time, grab your cloth bags and take a walk or jump on your bike instead of taking your car for such a short distance.

Running/Jogging

All you need is a supportive pair of shoes and somewhere safe to run. To cut down on the impact on your joints, run on soft surfaces such as grass. Better yet, do some cross-country running in parks and conservation areas to add hills to the mix and make the workout more difficult and effective.

Lift it, eat it, then lift it again

Cans (vegetables, soup, etc.) can be used as small hand weights and gallon-sized jugs (like those you use for milk), once emptied and refilled with either sand or water, can be used as heavier weights.

Take the stairs

I played three years of varsity soccer in high school and part of our pre-season training included running up and down stairs for 20-40 minutes. It was a great cardio workout, especially when sprints were added to the mix. Cardiovascular workouts help with heart health and burn large amounts of calories.

Go on a Hike

Many conservation areas and provincial and federal parks have trails that vary in elevation and terrain. Even if you are slowly walking (and maybe snapping a few pics along the way to post on Facebook) you can still get a decent workout. Wear a backpack and carry heavy things (like your homemade weights, or bottles of water and picnic lunch) to make your body burn extra calories.

Jump rope

Skipping is another great (cheap) cardio workout. You can purchase a synthetic jump rope from a store for a couple of dollars, or you could always use some stiff rope from your garage.

Have sex on a regular basis

Yup, you read that correctly. I think it’s pretty straight-forward, so I’m not going to get into the mechanics of it all. But make sure you use protection, otherwise you’ll end up with another kind of weight-gain…one that hangs around for the next 18 years or so (or longer if our generation is any indication).

Entry-Level Living: Things to Consider Before You Get a Pet

"Entry-Level Living: Things to Consider Before You Get a Pet", June 11, 2009.

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted a dog. The original plan was once we moved from our smaller house into a larger one with a bigger yard, my parents were going to get me a dog. That was almost nineteen years ago and I never got a dog. I’ve had a couple of rabbits and some fish, and although I enjoyed having them they cannot fulfill the same needs as a dog.

Now that I’m older I understand the reason why we never got a dog: we used to spend a lot of the summers and a couple weeks of the winters away.

I still want a dog (and a rabbit and a cat and a whole bunch of other creatures), but I also realize getting a pet at this point in my life does not make sense. There are lots of things one needs to consider when they decide to get a pet – any animal, not necessarily a larger one like a cat or a dog – and I think many people do not contemplate these things before they bring an animal home.

Cost

Purchasing a purebred dog or cat can cost thousands of dollars and on top of that there are the costs of spaying/neutering and shots. Adopting, although much cheaper, can still be costly (starting at about $200, including spaying/neutering and first shots).

Aside from the initial start-up costs, food, toys and preventative veterinarian care will cost you on on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis. You must also consider the unforeseen costs of owning an animal, such as emergency surgery or even having to put the animal down.

Space

Where are you living? A house or a one-bedroom apartment? People need their own space and so do animals. A large dog in a small apartment, for example, makes for both an unhappy owner and canine.

Living Arrangements

Is it just you, or do you have roommates? Before you get a pet, you should discuss it in detail with the people you are living with. Are they allergic to or afraid of animals? Who is responsible for feeding, playing, walking or changing the litter box?

I lived in a student house with two cats for a year, and the cats and I had a pretty good relationship. I would pet them whenever I saw them and they would act as a blanket if I was cold. If the cats were out of food or running low on water, I made sure their bowls were replenished. But I wasn’t too impressed with having to clean up kitty vomit more than my fair share.

I also had to deal with one of the cats being mad at me for some reason and peeing in my sock drawer. Incidents like these can really bother and offend some people, and you want to make sure that if it does happen your roommates don’t end up resenting you or your animals.

Training

Although this is typically something you need to do more with dogs, it does apply to other animals as well. If you have a cat or a rabbit for example, you need to teach it where it can go to the bathroom, or you will be cleaning your floor and furniture a lot. A dog on the other hand, needs some kind of obedience training. Some dogs, if not properly trained can beg or, worse, become very aggressive and even bite or attack people or other dogs.

Time

One of the most over-looked things when owning a pet is time. Do you have time to make sure the animal gets enough exercise every day? Can you take random play breaks? Can you clean up after an animal on a daily basis? What happens when you go on vacation and your pet can’t go along?

Although owning a pet is a huge responsibility, it has a lot of rewards. The unconditional love you get from an animal is unlike anything else you experience. But you should really give your decision a lot of thought, as it is not only your life you will impact.

Brad Pattison of At the End of My Leash says the dog doesn’t choose the owner, it’s the owner who chooses the dog. This is true of all animals and it is the owner’s responsibility to make sure all of their pets’ needs are met.