Applying for Jobs/Internships?

[maxmattI]

Hi,

So I've been living as male for almost three years now, (I'm sixteen), and at school my teachers respect my name and pronouns. I am allowed to put my preferred name on all of my assignments and my teachers write my preferred name next to my birth name on their roll. So far, it has worked out. But now the trouble is with getting a job/internship.

On my resume, do I place my birth name or my preferred name? Is there a law stating that I have to put my birth name on the resume? Also, all of my records are in my birth name, including my certifications, awards, and middle school/high school records. What can I do about that? When they do a background check on me, they won't find anything because my preferred name doesn't exist legally yet. So, does that mean I must put it on my resume? I'm talking with lawyers pro-bono about getting my name and gender marker changed legally, but is there anything I can do now?

I just really don't want to have to disclose my birth name because I pass so well already and I don't want any opportunities taken from me for something as trivial as what is (or isn't ) in my pants. Is there anything I can do, or do I just have to disclose my birth name and at birth assigned gender?

Thanks,
Miles

[Dena]

It's even more complicated than that. I went to work in the family business run by none other than my mother and she needed to run my name and social security number past the social security administration to make sure I was a citizen of the United states and had a right to work here.

Now that that has had time to soak in, many companies are LGBT friendly and being open with them isn't a problem. Some even offer employment forms with preferred and birth name on them. On the other hand, do you think you would be comfortable working for a company that is uncomfortable dealing with the truth? Most of the time this information will not leave the personal office so the remainder of the company need not know unless you tell them.

[FTMax]

I would put your preferred name on your resume. Hiring organizations don't perform any kind of background check on every resume that they receive. If they want to hire you, they'll interview you first, and then let you know if any kind of background check is a condition of being hired. You're a minor, so it would really be a waste of money to run you.

But the one thing almost everyone does is a check with the Social Security Administration. They'll need to collect this information anyway when they hire you to complete your tax paperwork. So this isn't something you could hide. My advice would be to get through the interview process as yourself, and then disclose to the HR professional who will end up verifying your paperwork. Chances are, they will not be directly involved in working with you day to day, so their knowing will not matter. If it's a hiring manager that helps you complete paperwork, ask them to please be discreet.

And just so you know, even if you were to change your name and gender legally, those changes do take some time to make it through the system. Despite having updated my information with all of the government agencies I have documents through, all credit bureaus, all personal accounts, etc. my birth name still pops up in a lot of back end systems. I've been told it should become less of a thing after the first year, but it is something to be aware of.

Ultimately I think it would really depend what kind of job you're looking to get. Knowing that would enable me to give you better advice.

[maxmattI]

I would put your preferred name on your resume. Hiring organizations don't perform any kind of background check on every resume that they receive. If they want to hire you, they'll interview you first, and then let you know if any kind of background check is a condition of being hired. You're a minor, so it would really be a waste of money to run you.

But the one thing almost everyone does is a check with the Social Security Administration. They'll need to collect this information anyway when they hire you to complete your tax paperwork. So this isn't something you could hide. My advice would be to get through the interview process as yourself, and then disclose to the HR professional who will end up verifying your paperwork. Chances are, they will not be directly involved in working with you day to day, so their knowing will not matter. If it's a hiring manager that helps you complete paperwork, ask them to please be discreet.

And just so you know, even if you were to change your name and gender legally, those changes do take some time to make it through the system. Despite having updated my information with all of the government agencies I have documents through, all credit bureaus, all personal accounts, etc. my birth name still pops up in a lot of back end systems. I've been told it should become less of a thing after the first year, but it is something to be aware of.

Ultimately I think it would really depend what kind of job you're looking to get. Knowing that would enable me to give you better advice.

Gee. There seems to be a lot more to this than I originally thought. I'm applying for an internship at a law firm. After thinking about it, I agree with what Dena said about how there are a bunch if companies that are LGBT friendly. I don't want to go to a place that will force me to hide, I'd rather be able to show my trans pride and be comfortable. If they reject me for my gender, then that's that. I don't think I was really thinking everything through in the OP.

You were really helpful (AND I LOVE YOUR ICON, HONEY IS THE CUTEST), thanks!

[FTMax]

No problem I manage all the operational stuff for my company, so I hire people pretty regularly and know what all goes into that process. I try to chime in when questions like these come up.

I'd strongly encourage looking into LGBTQ friendly organizations if being out and proud is something that matters to you. IME, most people don't care what you are as long as you can do your job. But being in an organization that values LGBTQ folks would certainly help in your position.

Good luck!