Herein lies an interesting scenario

[MarinaM]

My S.O. answered my phone while driving (because you can't be on your phone and drive in CA, I recognized the area code as local, and I'm desperate for a job), and guess who it was? Target, calling for an interview.

Interesting thing is, I placed my legal and my preferred name on the application (Emma Mullins is not legal, but it was on there), and since my wife isn't on board she referred to me as "he" through the entire message taking process. I guess those Target people don't care, because the lady just rolled with it and called me my male name from the start. I still have the interview, but I'm wondering what I should do now... Go in as the legal person and explain the preferred name, or as I prefer and make it obvious from the start?

Interesting...

[Forever21Chic]

  Well i'd just roll with it and say emma is your nick name or something like that & i would not say anything about being transgendered at least not so early. 

[MarinaM]

  Well i'd just roll with it and say emma is your nick name or something like that & i would not say anything about being transgendered at least not so early. 

But I'm supposed to be full time! (I left that out, my fault)

It seems like an accepting company, but it's a very complicated issue, and I really need a job. It's my style to try not to create any issues.

[regan]

The best advice I got was that if they're interested in interviewing you, they're interested in hiring you.  The interview is merely a process for them to find a reason not to hire you, so don't give them one.

If you create the impression that your being transgendered is going to cause "problems" for them, progressive or not (Target generally is progressive), they're not going to hire you.  If you're full time and your legal documents support that, then by all means interview that way.  Say something, long after the interview, long after you're hired, about being transgendered if you need to.  Though keep in mind, if you wait until they're about to fire you, its too late.

If your legal documents don't support your female gender, I'd be willing to be they'll let you know "we'll be in touch" and that will be the last you hear from them.  Does it suck?  Yes.  Which is going to delay your transition more?  Being unemployed or having to work a probationary period as a male?  I'd wait until your probation is up, as we've pointed out before you could find yourself on the receiving end of "its just not working out" otherwise.

[Lisbeth]

OK. Remember that this is Target. They are supposed to have an A+ rating as a GLBT workplace. Be upfront with HR about your name preference and they will accommodate you.

[BunnyBee]

http://www.hrc.org/issues/workplace/organization_profile.asp?organization_id=1153&search_id=1&search_type=Quick

They have fairly inclusive policies it looks like, though not the best ever.  I would follow Lisbeth's advice and sort it out through HR.  I have done this with larger companies I've applied with in the past and it has worked pretty well and I think it was definitely the smoothest way it could be handled.

[MarinaM]

I believe the law is notification within three days of the date of hire for total protection regarding this issue( if I remember paperwork from other interviews right).  All I have are letters from my psychologist to back up my FT status, as the full legal change can only happen after surgery. Good thing my first name won't be a dead giveaway.

I don't think going to the interview male would be honest of me at all,  it would feel like feeding them a lie to get ahead,  and playing that game just eats me up.

We'll see,  I will have to sell my skills and qualifications. People haven't taken me seriously as a male even when my s.o. has tried to sell me as our baby's father lately.

[Forever21Chic]

     Good luck Emma, i hope you get the job!  BTW umm whats an s.o.?   

[MarinaM]

     Good luck Emma, i hope you get the job!  BTW umm whats an s.o.?   

Thanks.   so. = significant other.

[Caith]

I don't think going to the interview male would be honest of me at all,  it would feel like feeding them a lie to get ahead,  and playing that game just eats me up.

We'll see,  I will have to sell my skills and qualifications. People haven't taken me seriously as a male even when my s.o. has tried to sell me as our baby's father lately.

So, you're obviously more convincing as Emma.  Sounds like a positive thing, to me! 
Good luck getting the job!!

[Lisbeth]

I believe the law is notification within three days of the date of hire for total protection regarding this issue( if I remember paperwork from other interviews right). 

What law is that?

[Ann Onymous]

I believe the law is notification within three days of the date of hire for total protection regarding this issue( if I remember paperwork from other interviews right).  All I have are letters from my psychologist to back up my FT status, as the full legal change can only happen after surgery. Good thing my first name won't be a dead giveaway.

FWIW, not everyone does name and sex designator at the same time...some do the name and then come back post-op for the sex designator.

[MarinaM]

What law is that?

FWIW, not everyone does name and sex designator at the same time...some do the name and then come back post-op for the sex designator.

Interesting

I am having a bit of difficulty getting google to produce, as I can't remember the legalese... I will find it.

[Hikari]

Well, Target covers Gender Identity, and Gender Expression see source: http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-031453 so, it really shouldn't matter so long as they are told you legal name, and your SSN.

Target, isn't a bad company to work for really, and if they give you any grief about the name you want on your name tag, take it up with HR or even the STL of that location, there is no policy saying you have to use your legal name on the job, but it will still have to appear on the schedules and whatnot, but that isn't such a big deal as target only uses the first 3 digits of you last name on stuff like that, so no one except HR really knows who is who unless you tell them.

BTW: Sign up for a redcard, and you can use it with your 10% discount to get a 15% discount.