Job rejections often leave candidates questioning what went wrong—appearance, skills, or something else? Ash Putnam, a 23-year-old Californian, shared her frustration on TikTok after being turned down for a position at TJ Maxx. Her video quickly went viral, amassing over 7 million views and sparking widespread discussion.

Ash described how she received an automated rejection email weeks after applying. Frustrated, she visited the store to ask why she wasn’t hired. The staff cited lack of experience, but Ash suspected her tattoos played a role, even though they denied it. “I’m not a bad worker just because I have tattoos,” she argued, adding that many talented people embrace body art and piercings.

The debate carried over to TikTok, with some agreeing tattoos might be a factor while others dismissed the idea. Ash herself feels businesses need to evolve, saying, “Tattoos, piercings, and colored hair show creativity. It’s time to move past outdated stereotypes.”

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