Getting a job while transitioning?

[Johnny Tristan]

There's a job fair happening soon in my area and I'm eager to find work. One place that I'm hoping to work for is GameStop, since that will be one of the booths. I have quite a passion for video games, so it would be a nice fit for me. I'm two months on testosterone and nearly 20 years old. I've never had prior job experience, so I'm a bit worried how to go about the whole process. I'm getting my name and gender marker changed legally in July. I'm living full time as I've never presented as female even before coming out or taking hormones.

What do I put on my resume about my name/gender?
How do I tell them that I'm transgender in my interview? I don't pass quite yet.
How did you find work while transitioning and/or being full time?

I'm very nervous. I would appreciate any help and interview advice. Thanks!

[Jessica Merriman]

If you are changing your name just put the one you will be using and most places on applications there is a spot for other names you have used in the past (birth name and such). Even if you don't pass they have no reason to be concerned with your gender. I sat on many hiring boards and all we wanted to know is if the applicant had the skills and schooling for the job. If they ask it is up to you as to whether you answer it. I believe some States make it illegal to ask. This could set them up for a discrimination lawsuit if they don't hire you over another lesser skilled applicant. If I remember correctly Game Stop is a trans friendly employer and just want results and a good knowledge of the products by applicants. Good luck to you! 

[Kreuzfidel]

I didn't start job hunting here until I was already about 5 months on T, so I passed 100% by then.  I wrote only my male name and gender on all application documents (and resume).  They never questioned it - but the only reason I had to declare I was trans was to the HR lady when I found out I was hired.  That was only because they asked to view my immigration papers (in my old female name and gender).

[Mr.X]

I'm on the exact same boat. My name and gendertag will be changed in July as well. I have a job interview in two hours. If they are interested and will hire me they will ask for an ID, which will force me to out myself. My ID has been expired for two months, and I can't get a new one until my name has been changed. I plan on telling them as soon as they require my ID.

Last year I was applying for a job as well, and the interview itself was very open and nice. In the end they asked if there was anything they should know about me and I just took the plunge and told them I'm transsexual. I was still hired for the job.

So my advice is, if you feel they are an open-minded company, just tell them when you know they have hired you. If they don't need any kind of documentation with your old name on it, I wouldn't even bother telling them.

[campenella]

There's a job fair happening soon in my area and I'm eager to find work. One place that I'm hoping to work for is GameStop, since that will be one of the booths. I have quite a passion for video games, so it would be a nice fit for me. I'm two months on testosterone and nearly 20 years old. I've never had prior job experience, so I'm a bit worried how to go about the whole process. I'm getting my name and gender marker changed legally in July. I'm living full time as I've never presented as female even before coming out or taking hormones.

What do I put on my resume about my name/gender?
How do I tell them that I'm transgender in my interview? I don't pass quite yet.
How did you find work while transitioning and/or being full time?

I'm very nervous. I would appreciate any help and interview advice. Thanks!

If you've changed your name, then put that on there and if you haven't-for the sake of them paying you etc then put your legal name. You can put that you're male, even if you don't exactly pass yet-you'll get there. Don't bring it up unless they bring it up first and then be very brief about it. "I'm a man with trans experience, I won't let this get in the way of my work and I'll contact my higher ups in the case of doctors appointments ahead of time."

Gamestop from my point of view having known many people who've worked there isn't a forever job or anything. If you want to keep loving games, I wrote this long thing full of scary details but I don't want to scare you off from Gamestop which is actually a pretty good starter job. Retail especially dealing with games is nerve wracking, but it does have its perks. You'll have to listen to that gamestop channel all the time though! Good luck-they do let you have your own music when there's no customers though.

Gamestop the company isn't really known for it's LGBT open mindedness and it's a scenery that doesn't really understand those issues very sympathetically honestly-so don't give them too much detail, just be upfront when you want your paperwork changed and they'll do it for you. The people who work for gamestop are usually really nice from the people I've worked with and been in touch with over the past couple of years.

[JayDawg]

There's a job fair happening soon in my area and I'm eager to find work. One place that I'm hoping to work for is GameStop, since that will be one of the booths. I have quite a passion for video games, so it would be a nice fit for me. I'm two months on testosterone and nearly 20 years old. I've never had prior job experience, so I'm a bit worried how to go about the whole process. I'm getting my name and gender marker changed legally in July. I'm living full time as I've never presented as female even before coming out or taking hormones.

What do I put on my resume about my name/gender?
How do I tell them that I'm transgender in my interview? I don't pass quite yet.
How did you find work while transitioning and/or being full time?

I'm very nervous. I would appreciate any help and interview advice. Thanks!

I've never put my gender or full legal name on a resume.

You have NO job experience? Have you done any volunteer work, served on any committees, been a message board mod, anything at all? Did you have a good GPA in high school? Do you have some good personal references, preferably from older people?

Before the job fair, get into a GameStop and familiarize yourself with the store layout and organization, and chat up the employees. Find out as much as you can about what they do. Tailor your resume as best you can to match the job. Read every word on this page and every job description to familiarize yourself with the company and what different people do: https://gamestopcareerscorp.silkroad.com/GameStopCorporate/EmploymentListings.html

You might also want to read about the company history - when the first store opened, when they got a web presence, who the founders are, the current board of directors, current stock price, etc.

At the job fair, project confidence. Make eye contact, shake hands, dress professionally, speak clearly, listen intently; ask questions that show you're familiar with the company, policies, and history. Assuming you're after a retail position, make it clear you're familiar with all the game platforms. Sales and customer service are probably important skills to have. Punctuality and reliability are vital to any job. They want to feel confident that you will be at the job on time, every shift, are willing to cover shifts at the drop of hat, don't mind if you have to work late/weekends/holidays, you can sell games, and be friendly and professional with customers so they want to come back and buy more games.

Get a friend to help you practice your interview skills. Practice walking up to them, introducing yourself, shaking hands, asking and answering questions. The more you can practice it, the more at ease you will be at the job fair. You can even practice it at a few other companies booths before you get to GameStop

[tgchar21]

If you are changing your name just put the one you will be using and most places on applications there is a spot for other names you have used in the past (birth name and such). Even if you don't pass they have no reason to be concerned with your gender. I sat on many hiring boards and all we wanted to know is if the applicant had the skills and schooling for the job. If they ask it is up to you as to whether you answer it. I believe some States make it illegal to ask. This could set them up for a discrimination lawsuit if they don't hire you over another lesser skilled applicant. If I remember correctly Game Stop is a trans friendly employer and just want results and a good knowledge of the products by applicants. Good luck to you! 

It is also illegal (except in high-security positions, such as the one the quoted poster is in - and a position with a video game company is not one) for them to outright ask for your "birth name" (since that can screen people out based on their national origin or marital status, and in cases like someone who was adopted as a child there is no reason for them to know). What is legal to ask is what other names your relevant records are under - but here if all your records (work, school, criminal, references) are changed over then you can simply state that you don't have any records to check under any other names* (btw, from personal experience I wouldn't say that for general low-security positions that they ask you on "most" applications - I'd say "some"). ETA: There is also a difference on what can be asked on the general job application vs. a dedicated form for searching criminal or other similar records.

*Since the OP is 20 (according to his profile) that may be realistically possible if he can get his high school and college records updated, and he hasn't committed any crimes.

[Ryan55]

i work at lowes and when i applied I used my current female legal name, but they have a preferred name spot, where I put Ryan, they didn't really think twice about it, and my name tag says ryan, so only ones who know my legal name is HR and upper management, which they dont use, unless its for some kind of hiring purpose. I am listed as female though, since my license still hasnt changed gender when they make sure you are legal to work, but everyone I work with, treat me just like a guy. Customers usually think i'm a guy 50/50 shot, waiting for the voice to drop, once that does, should be good lol

[Alexthecat]

Whatever happens you will have it easier than me. I'm not on T yet but use a preferred name. I hear rumours that people say "well you know that isn't her real name" plus I've also been called "he-she" behind my back. Coworkers talk a lot of crap every day about everyone and transition is a lot of gossip to talk about. I work a completely different shift than a transgirl and I hear stuff about her all the time. I suspect the only way to get away from that crap and not be outed once I do look and sound like a dude will be to transfer to a different store.

[deanh]

If I were you, I'd use the legal name and then explain at the interview that you are actually male and go by Johnny. Since you are having everything changed in July, you could always quit if they treat you with ignorance and apply for another job as the correct name and gender. And if they accept you and it's all good then it is still a win. Good luck with the job fair!

[radioboy]

On your resume you don't have to make mention of your gender unless you would like to. Before I had my name changed legally I put in my preferred name, and then when it came to giving them ID, I mentioned that I don't go by my legal first name. It's not something that really bothers employers as a lot of people go by different names than their legal ones