Many people who have been turned down for a job often think about why they weren’t chosen. Was it because they didn’t have the right skills, their interview style, or something else entirely?
Ash Putnam, who is 23 years old, recently shared her frustration after being rejected for a job at TJ Maxx on TikTok, and her video quickly gained a lot of attention.
Her video has now been viewed over 7 million times and has received thousands of comments. In her video, the tattooed young woman asked how people in their twenties can find entry-level jobs, and it seemed like everyone in the comments agreed on one thing.
Putnam explained in her popular TikTok that she applied for a position at TJ Maxx but got an automated email “a few weeks” later saying her application was denied.
“They couldn’t even call me, they just sent me some automated email.”
Putnam wasn’t happy with the answer she got, so she decided to go to the store where she applied and talk to the staff directly.
“I walked in today and asked, ‘Why didn’t I get the job?’ The person told me, ‘You just don’t have enough experience; there were other candidates with more experience than you.’”
“I also asked if my tattoos were a problem since I know some places don’t like them. She said that wasn’t the case, but I’m not sure I believe her. I guess I’ll just let it go for now.”
“Having tattoos doesn’t mean I can’t be a great worker. That just doesn’t make sense to me. Some of the smartest people I know have tattoos and piercings,” she explained.
@ashxobrien I want to know who is also having a hard time finding a job right now! #jobs #jobmarket ♬ original sound – Ash🖤
Although the Californian, who works for Uber Eats, never get a straight answer from TJ Maxx, people on TikTok seemed to agree on the reason she was denied the job.
“tattooer here, it’s probably the tattoos”
I’m an HR supervisor, and I can tell you that no company would let you interact with customers like TJ Maxx does.
“I used to work at TJ Maxx, and honestly, they hire pretty much anyone who walks in. It’s really about the tattoos and piercings.”
“I don’t think it’s because you have tattoos…I think it’s WHERE you have tattoos 
”
Putnam appears to think it’s her tattoos as well.
She mentioned in an interview with the Daily Star, “I really believe my tattoos are the issue because many people find them demonic and frightening.”
She added, “TJ Maxx never said anything to me; those are just some of the comments I’ve gotten on my video. People are being super rude on my TikTok, saying I should work at a circus or a Halloween shop.”
Even if her tattoos were the reason she didn’t get the job at the store, she thinks companies should think twice about how they hire people.
