Anyone who has ever been rejected from a job has probably wondered what made them unqualified for the position. Was it a lack of skills, your presentation style, or something else?
Ash Putnam’s Viral TikTok Response
Ash Putnam, 23, recently shared her frustration after being rejected from a job at TJ Maxx. In a viral TikTok video, which has since garnered over 7 million views, Putnam vented her displeasure about receiving an automated email several weeks after her application, informing her she wasn’t hired.
“They couldn’t even call me, they just sent me some automated email,” Putnam shared, expressing her dissatisfaction with the impersonal response.
Confronting TJ Maxx Staff
Determined to get answers, Putnam decided to confront TJ Maxx employees in person. She walked into the store and asked, “So what was the reason why I didn’t get hired?” According to her, the staff member replied, “You just don’t have enough experience. There were candidates with more experience than you.”
Curious if her appearance had played a role in the rejection, Putnam asked if her tattoos were a factor. The employee denied this, saying tattoos weren’t the issue, but Putnam wasn’t convinced.
“I don’t feel like that’s true,” she remarked. “Just because I have tattoos does not imply I won’t be a good employee. That makes no sense to me. Some of the most educated people I’ve ever met have tattoos and piercings.”
The Viral Reaction
Putnam’s TikTok video sparked a flood of comments from viewers who speculated on the real reason for the rejection. Many pointed to her tattoos and piercings, with some claiming that businesses, especially retail stores like TJ Maxx, are wary of hiring people with visible body art.
“Tattooer here, it’s probably the tattoos,” one person commented. “HR supervisor here. There is no way any company would put you in front of customers like TJ Maxx,” another user added. However, there were also those who disagreed, suggesting that the issue was more about the placement of the tattoos.
“I don’t think it’s because you have tattoos… I think it’s WHERE you have tattoos,” one person wrote.
Putnam’s Reflections
In a follow-up interview with the Daily Star, Putnam expressed her belief that her tattoos may have been a significant factor in her rejection. She even commented, “Apparently my tattoos are demonic and scary to a lot of people.”
Despite the rude responses she received on TikTok, including some that mocked her appearance, Putnam remained firm in her stance. She argued that businesses should reconsider their approach to hiring, especially in terms of judging people based on their body art.
