Sometimes, when you apply for a job and don’t get it, you might wonder why.

Was it your skills, how you presented yourself, or something else?

Ash Putnam, who is 23 years old and covered in tattoos

recently shared her frustration on TikTok after being turned down for a job at TJ Maxx.

Her video became really popular, with over seven million views and tens of thousands of comments. Many people agreed with her about how hard it can be for young people to find entry-level jobs.

Putnam explained on TikTok that she applied for a job at TJ Maxx and later got an email saying she didn’t get the job. She felt disappointed that they didn’t even call her personally, just sent an automatic email.

Not satisfied with the response, she went to the store and asked the employees why she didn’t get hired.

“I went in today and asked, ‘Why didn’t I get hired?’ The employee said, ‘You don’t have enough experience. There were other candidates with more experience.’”

Putnam also asked if her tattoos were the reason she didn’t get the job. Many places don’t like employees with visible tattoos. The employee said that wasn’t the reason, but Putnam wasn’t sure she believed that.

“Just because I have tattoos doesn’t mean I won’t be a good worker. I don’t understand that at all,” she said. “Some of the smartest people I know have tattoos and piercings.”

Her story sparked a lot of discussion about job hunting and how people are judged based on their appearance.

Even though the woman from California, who also works for Uber Eats, didn’t get a clear reason from TJ Maxx, many people on TikTok think they know why she was turned down.

One person said, “I’m a tattoo artist, it’s probably because of the tattoos.”

Another person, who works in human resources, commented, “No company would want someone with visible tattoos dealing with customers, like TJ Maxx.”

A former TJ Maxx employee added, “I used to work there, and they hire almost anyone off the street. It’s definitely because of the tattoos and piercings.”

Someone else suggested, “It might not be that you have tattoos, but maybe where the tattoos are located.”

These comments show that many think her tattoos could be the reason TJ Maxx didn’t hire her.

“I really think it’s because of my tattoos, as many comments say my tattoos are scary and demonic to some people,” she shared with the Daily Star.

She added, “TJ Maxx didn’t tell me this directly, but many comments on my TikTok are really mean. People say I should work at a circus or Halloween store.”

Even if her tattoos are why TJ Maxx didn’t hire her, she thinks companies should change how they hire people.

“If they think tattoos decide how good you are at a job, they need to think again. Tattoos, piercings, and colored hair aren’t unprofessional. They show creativity and being different. It’s 2024, people need to stop disliking tattoos.”

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