SA with Sleeve
Hi all,
I will be interning at a BB this summer, and wanted to get some input on the connotation that tattoos hold, especially by more senior bankers. While I have seen tattoos discussed on this forum prior, I haven't been able to find anything that exactly addresses this issue. I have a sleeve on my left arm, and intend on getting my right arm done next summer with the signing bonus I get when I (hopefully) convert the SA to FT, or wherever I end up. Obviously with the interviews being done through zoom, no one on the team is aware that I have them, but it will quickly become apparent once I start, as they are visible when I type, reach across a table, talk with my hands, etc.
I am curious to hear how senior bankers feel about juniors with ink. I am not too worried about it, as I have always been one to believe that my work will speak for itself, and the miniscule fact I have tattoos will take a back seat. Nonetheless, still wanted to start this thread to get any input you all can offer, or anything you've seen during your time in banking.
Don't think anyone will care. That said I wouldn't walk around the office in a polo with the whole sleeve visible, keep to long sleeves during SA.
Also make sure you are otherwise conservative/professional - hair/facial hair immaculately groomed with no unusual haircuts, conservative clothing and shoes. Your work will determine the return offer but optics and first impressions absolutely matter, especially to seniors who you rarely interact with.
Appreciate the insight. Definitely wasn't planning on trying to attract more attention than necessary. Not going to roll up sleeves whether that be at work or at a happy hour, etc. Thank you!
As someone who has tattoos on his arms I’m kind of confused as to how they are visible when you type if you wear long sleeve? Did you get them all the way down to your hands?
They’re down to where my wrist bone protrudes. Strange measure, I know, but best way to describe it.
Couldn’t you just wear a watch on that wrist
I mean I've never wore anything except a long sleeve shirt in the office. Don't see how the wrist is visible either like you say unless it's on your hand...maybe just wear a watch but still don't see how it's very noticeable unless someone is right up on you
Being brutally honest here, I see this as a quite a handicap. Maybe it depends on the country and the group etc but in terms of personal fit it says a lot whether you like it or not. For long term prospects, would I want a guy covered in tattoos meeting my clients? Not really.
+SB
I agree. I saw someone on here many years ago describe SA stints as just checking you out and making sure that you're "part of the tribe". I've been through many recruiting cycles (on the hiring side) and I can tell you that it is exactly like that. Of course it can vary by group/company/culture but tattoos are almost certainly not part of the tribe at most financial institutions.
Before you MS me, don't hate the player, hate the game.
Definitely not upset, these were the types of takes I was curious to hear
As someone mentioned, don't be showing them off and it should be fine. At the end of the day, people will either won't care at all (and most will be in this bucket) or that is all they will care about. You can't do anything to change that either way. Just focus on doing excellent work and making it a not issue because everyone talks about how good you will be at the job, not how many tattoos you have.
I have a full sleeve on my left arm and a tattoo on my right. In a client facing career like IB/Banking I'd just wear long sleeves - it's typically the norm anyways. In something on the buy-side/trading I've never encountered anyone who cared - specifically speaking for prop trading however.
not much you can do at this point. just have to own it.
Sadly feel like you should cover up since there is a pretty decent chance people will judge you for it. Is what it is…would love to get some visible tattoos myself (bc what’s the point in getting a tattoo if you have to hide it all of the time?) but still feel like I’m too early in my career where people’s opinions of me matter more than me doing 100% what I want to do
Literally just last week I got into a discussion with a user here who implied that people who have tattoos are all drug addict junkies. That summarizes well how you will be perceived.
Unfortunately, upper class clients do not think favorably of those with even a single tattoo let alone a sleeve. If you get the FT offer start searching for exit opps because you won’t last in a client-facing finance role.
I would agree. But it’s kind of also that someone who is willing to get a whole tattoo sleeve (let alone on both sides..) just ticks differently and will not match with the people in this business.
I have a full sleeve and received 4 offers for QT from DRW, Optiver, Akuna, + Crypto Firm lol. Someone who is willing to get a whole sleeve "ticks differently?". I got it because it looks cool and I wanted to have something cool that nobody else has. I definitely understand having to hide it, and I did at first on my desk until they said "Bro we don't talk to clients lol you can wear a short-sleeve shirt if you want" but trust me I am still a normal person who does not "tick" any differently than the people sitting beside me lol.
Here's the thing - throughout my prior summers in Uni I have worked at an upper echelon golf club as a caddie. Meet HF managers, CEO's, bankers, and the like. Some days I'll wear a quarter zip to cover up my arms, others its just too hot and I don't. I can honestly say, I have not seen a difference in my ability to network and make connections (I was able to get my BB role through one of the guys I met at the club). They pretty much just want to know what they mean, then from there its business as usual, and they enjoying talking to a young hungry kid looking to break into the industry.
Now, I will qualify this. I do think there's a big difference between interacting with these senior guys as a caddie at their golf club, where they're out there having drinks & hanging out with their friends, and the senior bankers I will be interacting with at an IB. Long story short, I am not sure how much tattoos automatically means I "tick" differently; however, that is still a valid point to raise because there are definitely seniors out there who think like that.
A sleeve is only visible if the long-sleeve dress shirt you are wearing has a very low thread count. We had this once before the pandemic, a younger guy at the bank was wearing a light/summer dress shirt and when the light fell from the right angle, everybody could see his sleeve through the fabric.
I am not here to judge whether someone with a larger tattoo is a fit in finance or not. But most people I have met in finance are part of a fairly conservative group. It is up to you to see whether you like the environment/culture.
My tattoo sometimes shows if my watch and shirt sleeve rolls backwards a bit. Usually people don't pay much attention, so most don't notice a tattoo peeking out. I also wear only long sleeve shirts, even to casual events
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