Finding Work

[Alainaluvsu]

So I have an issue. Work! Since this would be my first job under my new name, it's almost as if I have no history based on employer references. Now I could offer the information that I am trans, which I probably will. However, my issue is in online applications. There's really no place in an email to say "OH btw I'm transgender!" ... because many are going to throw the email in the trash. Also, to make matters worse, I'm switching professions. I'm going from a more physical and "manly" profession to hopefully a desk job of some sort.

Any advice???

[Brooke777]

I would do a life skills resume. You only list your employer down with the name of the company, position you held, and dates you worked there. In a completely different section you make a bullet list of the skills you posses that will allow you to get around most requirements for references. Most companies now will only verify that you worked there and not give out any additional information. You can also use this as a reason for not putting down any particular name. Hope this helps.

[Alainaluvsu]

I did it that way, but how would they verify I worked there unless I gave them my former name?

[Olivia-Anne]

If you have friends from your past jobs that are aware of your trans status and new name, you could list them as a referance for that company. They might just call the referance instead of HR for employement verification. I think it will depend a lot on the type of job your going after and the person conducting the interview process. I've also seen and have known people that used a ficticious company under the guise that they are no longer in buisness. Then have friends verify their story with a fake referance. I guess it depends on how sneaky or honest you want to be. Another route to go is, just list your education as your work history might not be relevant to the job you are persuing. Yet another route is to call your former employers and notify them of your legal name change and have them ammend their records. Good luck!

<3 Liv

[Brooke777]

I think Olivia-Ann makes a good suggestion. See if your former employers will change their records.

[A]

Yes. That's what I'd try. Calling the relevant employers that you want to keep on your résumé, explain the situation and ask if they'd change the name for you. Well, I'm not sure I'd try since I'm easily scared, but I'd intend to try it, anyway.

[Alainaluvsu]

They wont. They're very against anything LGBT. At least the ones I talked to. However I do like the idea of listing an employee or two that WOULD give me a good reference under my current name. Thanks! I'll do this

[Olivia-Anne]

Glad I could help. Let us know how it goes.

<3 Liv

[Siobhan]

Good luck Alaina!

[Maddi]

I don't have anything to add other than thanks for poasting this question. This is something I haven't thought about that would have eventually came up as I transition. Gave me more things to take care of so it won't be hectic later on. 

Good luck and hope you get a great new job.

[JessicaH]

In this economy, you can claim that you worked at a company that went under. You could a whole work history with all the bankruptcies...

[Sadie]

I am going through this now, trying to get my first job since going full time. I was Laid Off several months ago before I went full time, so right after I was laid off I went full time and got my name legally changed.  So now its going on interviews as female. It was a little scary at first but I am getting used to it. 

I have decided I am going to have to tell my employers one way or another but I don't tell them I am trans upfront. If I get an offer I will then inform them of being transgender. Because I need to keep my work experience if I want to get a job, I have 12 years in IT support I can't just hide.  Plus NC will not let you change your gender marker on your drivers license without having bottom surgery so they are going to eventually find out.

So far getting a job has been tough. I know the economy is bad but still it makes me wonder if they do know I am trans or is it my age (40) or my gender, or a combination of those.

[silly by the seashore]

I got lucky, my employer knows I'm trans and they even knew me a little before I ever transitioned and its been no issue. They refer to me and treat me as any other female employee. And like Sadie, I live in NC too and can't change my gender marker til surgery. But oddly enough, people that do have to see my id never comment on the M, they may not even notice it since they are mostly looking at the name and pic on it.