Resumé and job-hunting questions

[Kreuzfidel]

I have seen similar threads, but mostly US-based.  I am in Australia and about to start job-hunting.  I cannot legally change my name yet because my passport is in my birth name and that is linked to the Immigration Dept. and tax office, so I guess I have to wait until I get citizenship.  But for my resumé, am I legally obligated to disclose my birth name and sex?  Or do I just bring it up at the interview?  Unfortunately the FTMAustralia website is helpful about on-the-job transitioning, but is useless for job-hunters   Any help is appreciated.

[Cindy]

Your name, age, sex. religion, race are irrelevant in Australia as far CVs etc are concerned. In South Australia there are laws protecting you from all of the above. You may have to have a job evaluation to make sure that you physically and mentally cope with a particular job but that's it.

[MaxAloysius]

Hey Kreuzfidel! You don't have to put your legal name on a resume, and sex has no place on one at all. An employer will have to ask for photo ID before getting you to sign a contract, and that in my opinion is the best time to bring up your name, especially since at that point in time for them to withdraw the job offer would clearly be discrimination.

If you're uncomfortable with the idea of 'lying' about your name, you can also use your chosen first name and legal last name. That way you are '**** Smith, but I go by ****'. A resume/CV is not a legal document, and it isn't binding in any way. There are a lot of people who will tell you that it's wrong not to put your legal name on a resume, but as far as the legal ramifications go for it they're all but non-existant.

[Stealthy]

Your name, age, sex. religion, race are irrelevant in Australia as far CVs etc are concerned. In South Australia there are laws protecting you from all of the above. You may have to have a job evaluation to make sure that you physically and mentally cope with a particular job but that's it.

Now I'm reconsidering my decision to get out of Adelaide once I'm old enough 

[kelly_aus]

I'm currently looking for work and all my CV/resume's have the name Kelly on them and I'm yet to do my name change.. A quick explanation that I go by a different name to what's on my ID is all that seems to be required..

[Kreuzfidel]

Thanks so much, everyone!  I've put my chosen name on my CV   So they don't need to know my birth sex even for their records?

[Cindy]

No, it is only needed if it is one of very jobs that is gender specific. Employers have to obtain special exemption for them and advertise as such. During a job interview an employer cannot ask your age, gender, marital status of whether you are pregnant (if female) of if you plan to have or have a family. If someonw does refuse to answer the question, in fact I would go further and just tell them that the question is not relevant.