NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - With more and more young people sporting tattoos and other forms of body art, companies are forced to be more accepting when considering potential job candidates, an employment firm said Tuesday.

A survey by Challenger, Gray & Christmas found that body art has become mainstream, particularly among young people, and employers are learning to accept it.

According to the report, a study by the Mayo Clinic found that 23 percent of university students had one to three tattoos, and 51 percent had one or more piercings, other than earlobe piercings for women. A Harris Interactive poll found that 36 percent of 25- to 29-year-olds have tattoos.

"Some employers are already having trouble finding skilled workers -- they are not going to let some body art get in the way of hiring the best qualified candidate," Challenger said in a statement.

"Plus, a growing number of employers recognize the benefits of diversity in all its forms and are embracing the unique attributes that make people stand out from the crowd," the firm added.

It noted that while most tattoos are hidden, some are visible on the hands, lower arms and necks.

"As a job seeker," it added, "you have to judge whether the employer you are interviewing with is going to be accepting of your body art. If that is not the case, and that is where you really want to work, then you will have to make an effort to conceal your tattoos and take out your piercings."

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