Q. Will a tattoo decrease my chances of getting a job?

A. It's difficult to say. Body art is certainly not the career killer it once was, but company policies on tattoos vary. Even though tattoos and body piercings are becoming more popular and mainstream, many employers tend to be conservative and require tattoos to be covered at all times.

• In some job fields, such as creative or technological fields, you're more likely to have a loose dress code, so tattoos might not be a problem.
• Corporate and service-oriented companies often have strict policies that forbid them.
• If you decide to keep tattoos or piercings visible, choose tasteful images and subtle jewelry.

If you're interested in getting a tattoo, a safe bet would be to put it where it can be easily covered up, so a potential employer can focus on you and your qualifications, not your body art.

Q. What should I do if my wallet gets stolen?
A. Taking these steps should minimize your chances of losing more than just cash if someone picks your pocket.

• Make an itemized list of everything that you carry in your wallet--credit cards, licenses, etc. Keep copies of important account numbers and customer service phone numbers in a safe place for easy reference.
• File a police report, including the list of items in your wallet. Request a copy of the report for your records.
• Contact the three major credit reporting companies (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) and have a fraud alert put on your credit report.
• Contact your financial institution and change the account numbers on any compromised accounts and change any PIN numbers.

Carefully monitor your accounts for three months to look for any fraudulent charges or unauthorized activity. For more information on identity theft, go to idtheftcenter.org or ftc.gov.

Editor's Note: When answering your questions, brass consults with experienced professionals from a wide spectrum of industries. We utilize their expertise to give you the answers you need, but it’s always wise to seek additional opinions from other professionals.

Sources: fastcompany.com; berkeley.edu; hotjobs.yahoo.com; about.com; cio.com