Interviews and Piercings

[Pre Opt Student]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So I have my first interview next week and I was wondering if Im supposed to take my diamond stud nose ring out for the interview or not? I figured it might look unprofessional? Any opinions?

 

[blysssful]

Ha, ya know I was thinking about this too. I don't have my nose pierced, just my cartilage, and I ended up forgetting about it anyway. But nose is obviously much more noticeable... I don't know what the protocol is, but it wouldn't HURT your professionalism points to not have it in. I'd take it out to be on the safe side.

Hopefully if you do, it won't close up!

 

[hmarie224]

I have a nose piercing too. Well I had one. I decided to take it out for good. I figured I would need to either take it out or put in a clear one for my interviews, but I just decided to leave it out, since I am going into graduate school and it wouldn't really be that professional.
But if you do decide to keep it, you can buy a clear or skin colored one to put in so it won't close up instead of completely taking it out.

 

[Pre Opt Student]

Yeah, I think Im just going to take it out..because hopefully if I get in for next year - Im going to take it out anyway as a professional. Its just really hard to part with it when its been so many years!

 

[JMU07]

Chances are you're going to have to take it out when you start school anyway. I know at SCO the rule is that women can only have ear piercings in for lab/clinic.

 

[Pre Opt Student]

Yeahhh its coming out tomorrow 🙁....also...does anyone know what the 'stats' are...of getting into Nova once offered an interview? I get the feeling they interview alot of students but Im just wondering how much better my chances are..maybe it will give me some confidence for the interview.

 

[Idioteque83]

I would like to see redefinition of what is viewed as professional or unprofessional. I personally don't think that your choices to accessorize your body change your professional demeanor or competence in your field. I'd like to see this change, but it won't unless we challenge people to redefine their views.... so wear your nose ring! With that said... I did take out my 1/2inch plugs in my ears prior to my SUNY interview, however, the holes in my lobes were still the size of my pinky, and plainly obvious to the interviewer... and I got accepted. But, I'm sure this varies widely from place to place. I only have my undergraduate experience at Berkeley and my SUNY interview to speak of.... both very "blue" places with diverse populations and generally tolerant attitudes.

 

[KHE]

I would like to see redefinition of what is viewed as professional or unprofessional. I personally don't think that your choices to accessorize your body change your professional demeanor or competence in your field. I'd like to see this change, but it won't unless we challenge people to redefine their views.... so wear your nose ring! With that said... I did take out my 1/2inch plugs in my ears prior to my SUNY interview, however, the holes in my lobes were still the size of my pinky, and plainly obvious to the interviewer... and I got accepted. But, I'm sure this varies widely from place to place. I only have my undergraduate experience at Berkeley and my SUNY interview to speak of.... both very "blue" places with diverse populations and generally tolerant attitudes.

Redefinition of what is professional and unprofessional takes years, many times decades. In light of that, erring on the side of conservatism is wise not only for an interview but when you're out in practice as well. Understand that optometry, like most health care professions involves a fair amount of time dealing with the elderly. Fair or not, the overwhelming majority of the elderly are NOT going to be comfortable getting their healthcare from someone with large amounts of piercings, tatoos, or "1/2 inch plugs in your ears." I can also say that as an employer of optometrists, tech staff and secretarial staff I would not hire anyone with the types of visible body modifications that you describe. Call me close minded, unfair, or whatever. But that's the way it is.

You have to ask yourself "what image am I trying to project here."

 

[VisualSpirit]

I'm not even done with my pre-reqs and I'm appauled that any future professional has to ask the question of whether or not they should remove BODY PIERCINGS???

Wow.

In that case, should I wash the blue dye out of my hair before my interviews?
And, I have a huge tattoo across my left arm that says, THUG LIFE. Do you think that will be okay?

Plus, there's the gold tooth that I just had implanted in my mouth. I love it. But do you think it would come off as unprofessional?

Geeze. Gimme a break.

 

[Pre Opt Student]

hahhaha wow you need to get a grip. Im asking about a small diamond nose study piercing..its really a cultural thing..Im from Canada and we are really MULTICULTURAL and its okay to embrace other people's cultures. It actually looks really classy on some people, I think, on a day to day basis. I know other people in Optometry school that do have nose piercings. Also, I chose to take it out because I didnt want anything to affect the impression I gave to the admissions committees. But If I get accepted into Optometry school..I could get it pierced again and just take it out for clinics..honestly..people like you need to be less ignorant and grow up...It was just a fun opinion based question..

 

[Pre Opt Student]

How can you even compare those examples to a nose stud anyway..those are completely different.

 

[hmarie224]

actually i have worked at an optometrist office for the past 2 years. i wore my nose stud when i interviewed for the job and they hired me. i wore it to work and they were fine with that. one of our receptionists had her eyebrow pierced too. it all depends on the person. there was plenty of time when older patients would make comments about it, but nothing to the point where they didn't want me working with them

 

[blysssful]

hahhaha wow you need to get a grip. Im asking about a small diamond nose study piercing..its really a cultural thing..Im from Canada and we are really MULTICULTURAL and its okay to embrace other people's cultures. It actually looks really classy on some people, I think, on a day to day basis. I know other people in Optometry school that do have nose piercings. Also, I chose to take it out because I didnt want anything to affect the impression I gave to the admissions committees. But If I get accepted into Optometry school..I could get it pierced again and just take it out for clinics..honestly..people like you need to be less ignorant and grow up...It was just a fun opinion based question..

As comical as VisualSpirit's post was, I wouldn't exactly group diamond stud nose piercing to any of those examples either. My roommate has one and it looks extremely classy on her. Not to mention the extraordinary amount of women from India who have their noses pierced and don't have a "punk" stigma attached to their piercing.

Like the conclusion that you came to, I agree it was a better idea to take it out. It would be ridiculous to work so hard and ultimately have something the size of a freckle keep you from getting where you want to go.

 

[Pre Opt Student]

Yeah....Im middle eastern and was born and raised in Canada. I have a really preppy clean cut look otherwise and with just a tiny diamond nose stud..I really dont think people categorize me as a punk for the past few years...So you really shouldnt be comparing that to 'Thug Life' tattoos. In fact, my friends always tease me for NEVER dressing down and wearing sweats to school, even during exam time. Its really sad that our generation can still make snap judgments based on nothing but ignorance..

 

[DOOMflow]

I'm a male (I also fail at grammar lol) and I have both ears pierced, I wear medium-sized diamond earings every day and I have worn them for about 6 years.

When I interview I will certainly be leaving my earings in, it's part of who I am, if I'm declined because of my earings then so be it.

 

[canestj]

I'm not sure if this helps your decision or not, but I too have a small stud nose ring. I was contemplating taking it out, but the hole was still visible so I decided to keep the stud in. I had an interview with SUNY and got accepted (with a nose ring). Long story short, I think if it is small and you look presentable then you have nothing to worry about. 🙂