Would you hire a qualified babysitter that had three facial piercings?

Question

I am trying to throw myself out into the babysitting world. I LOVE kids, I'm 18, I'm a high school graduate, I got an 1840 on my SATS, and I'm certified in First Aid. However, I've found that certain people (especially potential employers) are extremely put off by my piercings. I have a lip ring, a nose ring, and an eyebrow ring. I am not very willing to take my piercings out for a job because I paid good money for them, I like them, and I don't think there's anything wrong with them. So my question is: considering my qualifications, would you hire me to babysit your children?

P.S. I'm not gothic, punk, a biker, or a serial killer. I am a shy girl that likes to read Harry Potter and listen to classic rock. I just happen to have metal in my face.

:)

Answer 1

I may be biased because I have piercings myself. However I think judging people on their looks is for the most part rediculous. It could be hard to get some jobs but most people are still not comfortable with piercings. You could be flexible and maybe take them out for work. As for babysitting, I don't see why not

Answer 2

yes hun my son has a lot more than that and his a lovely chap  there piercings you not jewelry

Answer 3

For me if the person was willing to put in the clear plugs (they keep the wholes open but don't make it extremely odvious) then I might. For me it's about respect. If you can show me that you respect my family and our beliefs enough to try to hide the peircings (so that you don't influence my kids to go behind my back and get them) then I actually would.

I would however ask that you bring me references, report cards, and your sats.

Hope this helps, Good Luck!

Answer 4

I think it would depend on how liberal the people are. I personally wouldn't. I am funny about things like that. I know in the daycare field they tend to go on your personal looks too. There are a lot of parents out there that don't like that sort of thing. Good luck. Maybe just keeping one would be alright.

Answer 5

I personally would hire you. But than again. I see nothing wrong with piercings.

You might want to try putting in the clear retaining rings when you meet potential employers.

Or have you potential employers talk to your previous ones before you meet them face to face

Answer 6

Totally not an issue for me, but ... curious little fingers can do serious damage to piercings!

Answer 7

No - I wouldn't hire you. I'm a little prejudiced about that kind of stuff. Most people go for 1st impressions & don't like seeing all that stuff on other's faces - especially if you are gonna watch their kids. Sorry, but it's true, & if you ever want a job profesionally - get rid of the piercings - cuz a daycare center wouldn't hire you either. I don't mind them personally, but to watch my kids - it's a different story -sorry

Answer 8

First impressions are everything, but if i were a parent, i would keep my eyes open and realize its easier to expand a child's herizons earlier than later. i may need to see like your first aid certificate and a reference sheet.

Answer 9

No I wouldn't hire you and you might as well be prepared that a lot of other employers wouldn't hire you either.  I wouldn't hire you as a nanny because I don't want my children asking for piercings and believe me they would.  I wouldn't hire you in a shop because customers don't want to look at piercings.  You should try and get a job where you are out of the public eye.

Answer 10

Your piercings don't have anything to do with your ability to take care of kids. I was able to stay home with my kids but if I had needed a sitter I'd hire you.

Answer 11

you sound very sweet and like a smart girl.... unfortunetly people judge... and judge quickly!!! you would probably have better luck babysitting for people you know

or include refrences on you resume, so they can call previous parents

good luck :) discrimination sucks

Answer 12

I personally have a lip ring & wouldn't want to take it out either for a job. I agree I payed good money for it, but maybe the nose ring  on top of that is just a little too much.

Answer 13

I most deffinatley would! If people dont hire you because of your piercings, you could almost guarantee they'd be a$$holes to work for - i mean how judgemental is that!!

Answer 14

If i knew the person it would not matter to me.  Now if I am interviewing and hiring someone from a  flyer or something it would .  First impressions mean everything and to me facial piercings give a bad connotation.  I know it does not mean you are a bad person but that is once i get to know you.  I am trying to trust my kids with  you and generally people who have those things  (in my opinion) are into drugs and other things.  

So for me no unless i knew you before or you came recommended by someone

Answer 15

Personally, yes I would hire you and I am 51.  But, are there people that are going to make that judgement?  You already have the answer.  Your choice, better your odds and remove the piecings or wait for someone like myself.  Understand that a young parent of extremely young children will be extremely critical of who cares for their children.  They may be thinking that you are easily influenced by your friends who probably have 30 piercings and tatoos.  Put yourself in their shoes.  They don't know you from adam and have to make judgement from all signals you send.  I suggest remove the piecings and as they get to know you, slowly reveal them over time.

Hey, I'm a biker, ride a crotch rocket and I live those judgements everyday.  People think I am going to shoplift or steal their purse.  I am very active in my church, volunteer work in the parks, take in my kids stray friends.  Got a big heart but the bike does make a 1000 false judgements about me.  Your choice.

Answer 16

If I found you trustworthy and my kids got along with you the piercings wouldn't bother me but i would have to warn you that my kids like to rough house a lot and might rip them.  

Just to let you know watch the attitude about the piercings though because most professional jobs won't allow you to have them in during work hours.  Every job I have ever had, had the policy of no noticable piercings (other than ears for woman) and no noticable tattoos.

Answer 17

Yes.  Piercings don't determine how good you are with kids.

Answer 18

I dont care about piercings or tattoos.  I care about your personality and how well you bond with my child and how well my child likes you.  However I am a open minded person.  I dont judge others.  A lot of people are closed minded.  So yes I would hire you!

Answer 19

It would really depend on how the interview itself went....

I actually like body and facial peircings....they do compliment some people, but not all.

It would depend on the age of the children... babies and toddlers....NO, mostly for the sake of the babysitter...lol, I would hate the thought of a baby grabbing a hold of a hoop and yanking at it!

Toddlers and pre teens...maybe, It might help them be more open minded to the differences in people and that it's okay to be different from the mainstream....so long as no one gets hurt...

Teens...it would depend on the children as well, they are so easily pursuaded to do things that may not be okay with the parents...

If you portrayed a goth, punk or some kind of h&llraiser .....no way, no how!

Sadly, it is a general rule of thumb in the work market that if you work with people or the public then you need to have a clean cut (sort of plain) appearance as to not offend, freakout or scare people off.......body/facial peircings tend to turn most people off in the job market and, yes, you may be asked to remove them for the job. Any boss has that right....in this feild I would think most definately!

Answer 20

A babysitter is an influence on the children she watches. If the parents don't want their children to get piercings, they won't hire you. They don't want to send the message that it is okay if it is not okay with them.

I don't know anything about facial piercings, but can you take them out for a few hours and put them back in after work?

Answer 21

For me, it would depend on the age of my child.  It would not bother me with babies, but with an older child, I would be hesitant.  I have nothing against piercings, but I would not let my daughter get them because they do affect your ability to be perceived as a professional later in life.

Answer 22

Some people just have a hard time getting past the sterotypes that society has layed out. Personally I dont care how many peircings or tattoo's one has, I just care about how you are going to be with my children

Answer 23

I think it depends on how badly you want a job and how much you love working with kids.  I have two tattoos(one on my ankle and the other on my back).  I also happen to be a certified elementary school teacher.  I have a bachelor's degree and I am currently working on my Master's degree.  I also have a state certification to teach students with special needs.  Once I set foot into the classroom with the students, I made sure there is no possible way they could know that I have any tattoos.  I where pants all the time to cover it up.  This is my choice because I respect my students and their parents and don't want to offend them if they do not approve.  I want to assure them that I am a good role model and that their child will not be coming home saying, "Mommy, I want a tattoo like my teacher."  I also do not want it to be a distraction to my students!  When I am not at work, I do what ever I want and wear what I want.  When I am with the students, I make sure that I am the best possible role model for them.  You have to ask yourself what is more important...Working with kids or your piercings?

Answer 24

I would hire you! If they can't look at you beyond your piercings then it's a good thing they don't hire you! i wouldn't want to work for anyone that is that judgmental! Maybe when your in an interview make a little joke about it like you did for us "I'm not Gothic, punk, a biker, or a serial killer. I am a shy girl that likes to read Harry Potter and listen to classic rock. I just happen to have metal in my face". sometimes a little joke can open up conversation.

Answer 25

You sound great! If I got to know you first, of course I would let you babysit my kid.

Answer 26

I'd hire you any time.

I'm sure a lot of people would say the same.

Good luck! I bet with your qualifications, it won't take long until  to find work! :)

V.

Answer 27

If the nose ring was a stud then that would be okay but the lip would be a no and so would the eyebrow. I have a 4 year old and that would just be asking for trouble. She would pull at it and I wouldn't risk the injury and as someone else stated the liability. I'm sure you are a nice girl but children can be rough and I know mine likes to pick and prod and it would be asking for injury ..

Answer 28

No, I wouldn't. And I'll bet a Fortune 500 company wouldn't hire you, either.

Reason I wouldn't hire you: Say my child, however old and for whatever reason, reached up and snatched ahold of one of your piercings, and caused an injury. Can you say "liability"? And don't tell me "Oh, I wouldn't sue." Because (1) I don't believe you, and (2) I'm not taking that chance.

Answer 29

As long as he or she was a good babysitter and got along with my kids, yeah, I'd hire them! Facial piercings have no bearing on how they will babysit a kid. I would want an interview with ANYONE I would potentially hire, and if you met my standards I'd hire you!

I have lost SO many babysitting jobs just because I'm a guy and I'm g*y. Apparently the people who were planning to hire me thought that all guys who babysit must be g*y, but they didn't know if I was or not. They asked me (VERY awkward) and I said yes, I am (because I am g*y) and they said "Then you'd better get out of my house, because I don't want you f*cking my kids and teaching them your sick f*g agenda." Not that I regret not getting the jobs...it's not worth it.