Tattoos

[Damn True]

This is my number one beef with the vast majority of american culture. The fact that you would look at a person with visible tattoos or read a thread I wrote here on a board, and automatically form an opinion and bias as you put it against them is arrogant and illogical to the extreme. It's also judgmental.

You don't know me from Jesus Christ anymore than you know a random person that walks up to you in a job interview, but you're willing to make all kinds of perceptions and judgments based on one interview or conversation? You don't have any idea what's going on in my head, why I reason things the way I do, etc. etc.

You are missing the point. The judgment isn't against you as a person or even against your ability to perform the tactical elements of the job you are applying for. The judgment is against your lack of preparedness for an interview by not dressing appropriately for it, if not your lack of judgment in your disregard for the corporate culture of the organization you seek to join. If you were otherwise appropriately dressed but you had exposed tattoos the judgment would be against your ability, by virtue of your appearance to represent the company appropriately. In some circumstances it wouldn't be an issue. In most corporate environments it is, which is why Nick, myself and others with tattoos have them only in places that can be covered when in a professional standard of dress.

Clothes don't make you successful. Working hard, presenting the right attitude, and having the right education and skills for your job level make you successful.
Mathius

None of which matters if your appearance is not in keeping with the corporate culture, standards & values of the organization. If you aren't able or willing to represent the company in the manner they've have decided upon you'll likely be disappointed in the outcome of your candidacy.