Does anyone work at Perkins restaurant?

I don't, but if you're concerned and want the job regardless of what the policy is, I would make sure to take out piercings (wear spacers if necessary) and cover tattoos for the interview--then, if it turns out they do have restrictions, you'll already have demonstrated that you CAN cover them up if need be.

I don't either but just had brunch there a few hours ago (there breakfast is so yummy!). Honestly, I haven't noticed anyone there with any obvious tattoos or piercings. You may want to dress them down as Cabell suggested...

Just so you know, also, it is illegal for businesses to discriminate in employment on the basis of tattoos. They CAN require that tattoos be covered, but they cannot refuse to hire you on the basis of tattoos. I would guess that the same law would apply to piercings.

@ Cabell, I want to know, because if their strict on it, I don't want to go. I worked at Sonic a couple of years ago & I had to wear clear earrings in ever hole, which isn't as bad as having to take them out period, but it does get exhausting. I'm not like decked out on my face or anything, but I do have quite a few earrings & a tongue ring. I did however take my eyebrow ring out permanently, because it did turn out to be a bigger problem than anything else. I don't have any visible tattoos, so I'm not really worried about that, but my piercings are a big part of who I am & I really don't want a job that doesn't accept them. I know, I know, I'm unemployed, so I shouldn't be picky right? Well, I payed a lot of money for my piercings & like I said, they are a part of who I am. I don't want to give them up. & yes, I always go to an interview looking as best a possible. I actually wear my hair down just to hide my earrings, it gives them a chance to get to know me...not my piercings.

@ He, yes, they do have amazing food! lol! I never go to an interview all decked out or anything. I don't wear those really big earrings or anything. I mean, my ears are guaged, but their smaller & their not real head turners. Like I told Cabell, I wear my hair down & it hides my earrings. I'm sneaky! Still though, that doesn't help when & if I get the job.

@ Cabell, just because it is against the law, doesn't mean people don't do it. I went to a job fair a while back & put my hair behind my ears without thinking & his focus went straight to them. I got so pissed. I was talking & he wasn't even looking me in the eyes.

I've worked jobs where I had to take out my nose ring and my tongue stud, and cover my tattoos (RIDICULOUS jobs--I worked at Rave, where I'd estimate less than 20% of our customers lacked both piercings and visible tattoos). I didn't enjoy it, and I quit as soon as I found a job that didn't have those requirements--and of course I'm now in grad school and teaching college courses, so I don't have to worry about a dress code. That's one privilege of upper-middle class employment: more autonomy.

So I can sympathize with your position... but I also think that yeah, you're unemployed, and the economy right now is terrible. It's not like you'll lose the piercings if you have to take them out wear spacers while working, and you could keep looking while you were working but at least make some money. Do you have other options?

(And I realize that people do all kinds of things that are illegal--I'm just saying it's a good thing to know, especially if they're dumb enough to admit that's why they're not hiring you.)

@ Cabell, I guess it wouldn't be too bad to put in retainers, but one of my piercings, my industrial, does not have a retainer, & I refuse to take that out.

Would you suggest this one: http://www.metalballz.com/-PTFE_IndustrialScaffold_Piercing_Retainer/p168637_398479.aspx

or this one: http://www.maelstromstudiolab.com/item--Clear-Acrylic-Industrial-Retainers--industrialretainers.html

I have had friends that have worked at Perkins and as long as your piercings are not overly obvious they really wont say anything. One of my friends had everything pierced and I do mean everything and she worked as a waitress. The only thing they did ask her to do is make sure that all the ends were on tight they didn't want anything falling into a customers food. I would honestly put your hair up and wear it professional because you are going to have to have your hair pulled up at all times when you are at work. That way there are no surprises. If your tatoos are easily hidden then I wouldn't worry about those.

@ kfroman, thank you! That does make me feel a little better. & no, tattoos are no big deal, none of mine are visible. It's just my ears though, so if your friend had facial piercings & they didn't freak out, ears should be ok. Although, as I mentioned, I worked at Sonic a while back. What I didn't understand was that some of them allowed piercings to be showen, some didn't. They were all owned by the same person, so it wasn't that.

@Cabell - Are you serious?! When I worked at Sam's club they WOULDN'T hire me unless I got rid of my eyebrow piercing, they wouldn't even let me use a spacer. I was peeved but sooo desperate for a job.

@ January, that is exactly what I'm scared of. I don't mind retainers, but I'm terrified that they'll ask me to remove my piercings & then I would have to turn down the job. Like I said, I've spent too much money on my piercings & they are a part of who I am. I won't do it. However, if I did turn down a job, FH would be really mad at me. I did talk to him a while back though & I explained to him my concerns & he told me that he wouldn't get mad, but who knows till it happens.

JB: Definitely illegal, but also unsurprising. Wal-Mart is well-known for incredibly bad labor practices.

STBMC: I'm not sure about the retainers--never had an industrial, so I never had to wear one. I assume yours is fully healed, though?

@ Cabell, an industrial is never fully healed, but yes, it is past the 6 month mark, which is what they recommend. Industrials are very complicated. I went with the first one & I also ordered retainers for my other earrings. I need a job & as long as they allow me to wear my retainers, we'll be fine. Thank you!

I had to look up "Industrial Piercing." LOL!

@ Kathy, lol! I could've explained it to you.

Just for the interview I would cover up what tattoos or piercings you can and minimize the rest. While the interviewer may not discriminate against you, it may give an interviewer a slightly less professional impression than another candidate without tatoos or piercings, and if there are a few top candidates it may swing the balance against you. I would also suggest wearing a suit and looking as professional as possible, Fingers crossed, let us know how it goes.

@ Fun, thank you for your advice! I will let everyone know how it goes.