Keep the fuzz, or shave for job fair?

[Nygeel]

I've got a job fair coming up that has me stressed. I know I don't have the ideal attire, I don't know how potential employers might see me with my gender. In general, I'm just nervous about trans stuff and how to present myself. You guys know my back story so I'm not going to go over it unless somebody needs it. So, job...I don't have the money to get new clothes and don't really have the ideal stuff to work with. I'm thinking I might go with my own original-businessey type attire (bowtie), but it's still stressful. The suit I own is from a year ago, and since I've lost a bunch of weight so it doesn't fit (and when I got it, it was on the small side). I'm thinking that would look too sloppy.




Theeen there's the facial hair. I know clean shaven is the ideal and I'm desperately clinging to the tiny bit of facial hair I have hoping it'll help people see me as male (although it rarely does), so what the heck do I do there?!




That's three weeks of no shaving.

Theeeeen there's dealing with other trans stuff, how to deal with somebody who misgenders me that I might want to work for and that whole she-bang-a-bang.


Does anybody here have experience with sort of mid-transition job fair stuffs?

[insideontheoutside]

Nygeel did you get a name or gender change on your ID? It would be a tough call to go by a preferred name if your ID says otherwise. Like you'd pretty much have to be up front with the trans issue. If you have at least the name change on the ID, you could run with it and then if you get called back for an interview with any place it could be brought up at that time if necessary.

On the shaving, I'd personally leave the sideburns but shave them at the bottom straight across. If you want to keep the micro chin beard, just shave under your chin so it doesn't appear scruffy. Basically just shave around what you've got to shape it up.

On the jacket ... it does seem slightly big but I've seen a lot worse. Have you considered popping in to a few thrift stores for just a blazer? Sometimes you can totally come up on what was a pretty expensive one (that isn't out of style) there for really cheap.

[Nygeel]

I do not have a name change or gender marker change on my ID. My resume currently says first legal initial "preferred name" last legal name. Right now I barely have the money for bills (and finding something that's the right size as I'm very short and not so little in the middle is really hard at thrift stores). I might end up ditching the suit all together and opt for slacks because I have some of those from when I was this size.

[Kreuzfidel]

I'm almost in an identical predicament, Nygeel.  I would opt for maybe a nice dress shirt and slacks vs. the jacket.  I would also agree about just shaping up your facial hair.  As for what to tell people, I would be honest about the trans issue - I plan to be seeing as my ID has my repulsive obviously female name on it.  But I wouldn't mention it unless you were getting the job - otherwise if they misgender you, politely correct them.

[Nygeel]

My parents threw a couple bucks at me. I ended up getting a button down that doesn't quite fit, and slacks (without pleats which was hard to find).

That be the shirt. I figure it might be more appropriate than my gingham purple shirt, and I might be able to look around for a black tie.

[insideontheoutside]

I think the shirt looks good. I also think it's totally fine to go to a job fair in a nice shirt and tie and slacks without the coat jacket.

[KamTheMan]

No on the suit, No on the face fuzz, Yes on the shirt, with slacks and a tie and you'll look perfect for a job fair. Good luck bro!