Applying to jobs

[Ryan55]

Ok so I finally finished college and getting my degree for accounting this august(once they mail it), now I haven't changed my name or gender legally yet, so when applying for these business type jobs, should I use Ryan or my legal name? I mean they wouldn't know my legal name until after the interview if they go to hire me, and then I could just say Ryan is my preferred name. I'm trying to think of the best way to go about this, changing my name on a resume is easy enough. I know when they do background checks and stuff they will ask if my diploma was under any other name besides the one I'm currently using. What do you guys think? I'm finding it harder to pass as female now,
I can if I try, but I rather not go into girl mode x.x. My internships I have done, they know me by my legal name, so if they were to contact these places and say Ryan, they probably will say who is that. just an awkward transition time and trying to figure this out.

[nikkie]

Here is what I would do:

I would apply using my preferred name. Once I know that I will be hired for sure, I let them know about my legal name. I've been to sooo many interviews that say they will check my background and contact me after and never do because I don't get hired. They don't like to waist their times. I have never been background checked before getting hired. It's usually done after I am hired and had a day or two of working (my personal experience).

Sometimes the person that hires you (boss/manager) will never know about your "background" and only HR will know. Especially with big companies. (Again my experience).

I would say that its perfectly okay to not disclose until you know for sure you are hired.

If they ask you why you didn't tell them in the beginning tell them it's for safety reasons/personal reasons. 

I hope this helps.

[nikkie]

Most jobs I've had never called my references.

[Bimmer Guy]

I believe that on most applications you need to sign something saying the above is truthful and correct.  It is not truthful to lie about your legal name.

I don't see how it could possibly be a good thing to not be upfront with people.  I do not think that employers will take kindly to new employees who they feel "duped by".  They might even feel like you lied to them.  And here is the thing, it is a lie.  Your legal name is Xxxx, not Ryan.  You are also applying for a white collar professional job, so I think there is even less leeway than if you were applying to McDonals.  Employers want to hire people who they can be confident in being truthful.  If it fits in the interview to say that you are trans, that is cool.  If it doesn't and they call you to offer the job, tell them then.  That is what pregnant women do.  They hide their pregnancy (if possible), and then will tell when they get an offer.  This is seen as acceptable.  But, it wouldn't be acceptable if they lied on their application that they weren't pregnant. 

I would put my energy into getting your name changed as soon as possible and then look for work.  Find out the process for getting your diploma to changed to your new name, too, as your employer will  most likely want to see a copy of your degree.

[zero.cool.crash.override]

My current job with a large company (Fortune 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average company) did indeed check all my references.  They didn't call for personal conversations with former bosses, but they did verify that everything on my resume was true.  For that purpose, the prospective company will need to know your former legal name.  Some applicants had their application process delayed or even abandoned just because one of their references couldn't be verified.  In light of this, I'd say the first priority would be to give them the correct legal and historical information.  On your first day at work, or orientation day, you'll fill out lots of paperwork.  That is the time that you can put your current or preferred name.  And companies always have a process to change your name on their records, presumably to change sir names after marriage. 

[Misato]

I went by my chosen name long before it was my legal one. Just, as others have said, on job applications I used my legal name which only came up when I was about to land the job.

I knew a trans individual who got a job with the Fed Reserve going with the preferred name on the resume route. They're the reason I had the guts to do it myself.

[pianoforte]

Most job applications that I have filled out have a place for alternate names, AKAs, or preferred names. I would put a chosen name in that section, and legal name in the primary name spot.

In addition, if you are comfortable calling your internship supervisors and letting them know "hey if someone checks references for Ryan, just so you know, that's me," that might be a worthwhile option.

[spacerace]

I would put my energy into getting your name changed as soon as possible and then look for work. 

I also agree this is the best way to resolve this - otherwise you will have to explain yourself to probably multiple people at your new place of employment and have a bunch of complication surrounding.

change your name ASAP, then apply to jobs - if it is time sensitive, use ryan on your resume and wait to use the legal name when you have to sign your name on something or fill out a background check

what to do about your past references depends entirely on the jobs you apply to and what you did in the internships and how likely it is they will actually talk to someone. this varies greatly and will need to be a judgement call if you think someone will actually have a chat with a person you list, talk to the person first.

Or just avoid the mixing of the issues entirely and don't list the references unless you have to. Sometimes it is not possible to have it both ways, and you have to decide between a complication that can lead to a conversation you don't want to have, or finding a way to avoid the issue entirely, even at a loss.

[Kreuzfidel]

Here in Australia, on most applications there is a place for "Preferred Name" and a place for "Legal Name".  You're protected by law here against any form of discrimination, so to put down your gender as "male" is not illegal if you are under medical treatment for gender dysphoria.  I applied for all of my jobs in my male name and gender - and when asked for my passport info after I got a job here, I only revealed to the HR representative that my passport was in my former name and gender as I am transsexual.  No issues. 

But, because my old immigration paperwork for the US is still in a female name and gender, I haven't applied for any other jobs because I worry that applying for a job with a small company many be awkward considering I'd have to out myself when providing proof of my immigration status.  Not cool.

I'd just say to put your preferred name down and your innate gender (male) and if any questions arise, explain your circumstances.

[Bimmer Guy]

Here is something else to consider.  Your application goes to HR.  They are going to put you into the system (because how else will you get a paycheck?), who the hell is Ryan with social security number xxx-xx-xxx?

You can't do it man, for certain not with a professional job. 

Your resume needs to match your application.  On your application you will most likely (in the U.S.), be signing something that says what you wrote was "true and correct", or some such ->-bleeped-<-.

Currently, I live as "female" at work.  I wear all men's clothes and always have.  I wear a dress shirt and dress pants.  All I do is skip the tie (for now).  They treat and interact with me as a guy, and always have.  Go to your interview dressed in that, maybe with a suit jacket.  They will know they are getting a very masculine person if they hire you, so it will be no big deal when you tell them on your first day that you go by Ryan and that you are transitioning.  They may already assume you might be transitioning at the interview.  But, again, best choice is to get all you papers changed first, and then go look for work.

[Ryan55]

Thanks guys I appreciate the advice

[Nygeel]

You can do something like first initial "prefered name" last name

[Polo]

I just got hired for 2 part time jobs for while I'm in school. I have a male name but am still legally female and pre-T. Both jobs refer to me with male pronouns, it was just a matter of talking to the managers. They both told me that employees are given the option to indicate a "preferred/nick name". I live in a city in Texas so don't let being in a less-than-liberal place deter you from having that conversation.