Transwomen Obtaining Employment? How did you get yours?

[Hermosa_Tabby]

I am writing this to ask transwomen how they received employment during transition. I am specifically stating for transwomen as employment discrimination is different for women than men.
I am wondering how people managed to find employment. I would like to see what some other transwomen are doing. Please state if you still have the same job from before transition. I feel like that is a special exception.

I have 5 years post secondary education, was in classes for the gifted during grade school, have a lot of experience in a variety of fields, a completed term of Americorps, and I am bilingual in Spanish with a high speaking proficiency and reading comprehension after several years of study abroad, and I am close to receiving my second bachelors in computer science. I apply for jobs that are for positions that request my level of skills, and I don't get selected. I finally tried some entry level interviews for 10 dollars an hour wage slave positions that at least bordered on my field, and I did not get into those positions neither. I have been looking for months now, and my inability to obtain even a low wage position with my education is making me extremely suicidal with some degree of frequency. At the end of this week, if I do not have a job, I will be moving in with my boyfriend who lives in the middle of one of highest crime neighborhoods in the state. I am grateful it's not a homeless shelter (my family is dead to me so that is plan b) but I fear for my safety.

I am hoping that someone here can tell me how they made it through their interviews and got selected for employment. It would be nice to know that some people got selected without having someone they "knew" help them get the job as I do not seem to have friends that are helping me at all with finding work other than the occasional male trying to offer assistance living with them in a tit for tat sexual proposal.
I live just outside Seattle, which is supposed to be better about trans-rights, but it doesn't seem to extend into employing transsexual people. I may be running into other forms of discrimination than transgender related. I am 32, but I look 22 so a lot of people assume I am incompetent. I also have some mild tourettes that flares up when I am nervous that makes it hard to eliminate all types of fidgeting without Valium or something stronger that would affect my ability to speak clearly. I don't have any verbal tics, just muscular and there is not a lot I can do about them.

[AnonyMs]

I don't have an experience with what you're going through and I'm not in the USA but I'd like to offer some alternative explanations for your problems. I'm a bit surprised you can have difficulty find a job with qualifications in computer science, but getting that first job can often be surprisingly difficult. Its usually different once you have a few years experience.

Its a very long time since I've looked for a job myself, but I have hired people.

I may exaggerate a bit to make the point, so please bear that in mind. I'm hoping that if any of this is related to your problems it will give you something to work on.

One problem is that you think you have 5 years of education and how great that is, but the person doing the hiring thinks you have zero years of experience. After you've worked a year you'll have 1 year of experience and everything that went before counts for nothing much. It like now where you have 5 years of education, you'd not think to count all the years that went before. Basically recent graduates don't get a lot of respect.

The second problem is that you're 32 with essentially no experience, and that's unusual. So the question is why, and maybe there's something wrong with you, and I don't mean being transgender. Are you employable? It's a risk, and maybe it easier to just go onto the next candidate who's less risky?

Chances are whoever is doing the hiring is not going to look at all the varied skills you might have, and only consider whats directly relevant to the position. Your age, other skills, etc may make you look less attractive if it looks like your not going to stick with this, and in a skilled job you don't want someone only staying a short while. Especially a graduate with no experience who you're going to have to train up before they are useful.

I don't know anything about tourettes but it sounds like working remotely would be ideal. There seems to be quite a lot of that in computer jobs.

I'd also make sure you can't be tied to any non-professional online profiles, especially this one which I noticed you've used elsewhere. LinkedIn is great if you're not yet using it.

Anyway, I hope there's something useful in there somewhere. Good luck.

[Amy1988]

I am writing this to ask transwomen how they received employment during transition. I am specifically stating for transwomen as employment discrimination is different for women than men.
I am wondering how people managed to find employment. I would like to see what some other transwomen are doing. Please state if you still have the same job from before transition. I feel like that is a special exception.

I have 5 years post secondary education, was in classes for the gifted during grade school, have a lot of experience in a variety of fields, a completed term of Americorps, and I am bilingual in Spanish with a high speaking proficiency and reading comprehension after several years of study abroad, and I am close to receiving my second bachelors in computer science. I apply for jobs that are for positions that request my level of skills, and I don't get selected. I finally tried some entry level interviews for 10 dollars an hour wage slave positions that at least bordered on my field, and I did not get into those positions neither. I have been looking for months now, and my inability to obtain even a low wage position with my education is making me extremely suicidal with some degree of frequency. At the end of this week, if I do not have a job, I will be moving in with my boyfriend who lives in the middle of one of highest crime neighborhoods in the state. I am grateful it's not a homeless shelter (my family is dead to me so that is plan b) but I fear for my safety.

I am hoping that someone here can tell me how they made it through their interviews and got selected for employment. It would be nice to know that some people got selected without having someone they "knew" help them get the job as I do not seem to have friends that are helping me at all with finding work other than the occasional male trying to offer assistance living with them in a tit for tat sexual proposal.
I live just outside Seattle, which is supposed to be better about trans-rights, but it doesn't seem to extend into employing transsexual people. I may be running into other forms of discrimination than transgender related. I am 32, but I look 22 so a lot of people assume I am incompetent. I also have some mild tourettes that flares up when I am nervous that makes it hard to eliminate all types of fidgeting without Valium or something stronger that would affect my ability to speak clearly. I don't have any verbal tics, just muscular and there is not a lot I can do about them.

Thankfully I still have my job though I almost quit because of sexual harassment.  They thought I was a cisgender female when they hired me but found out later I was transgender.  My employer has a no discrimination policy which includes gay and lesbian and I assume transgender too.  My situation is unique because I have skills that no one else has and very difficult to aquire so it would be difficult and expensive to replace me.

[Laura_7]

Are there any agencies you could work for ?

Another idea would be to ask medium to smaller companies personally... going there asking.
They might need someone, or you could leave a card so they might call if something comes up.

Another idea might be some volunteer work or similar, which might evolve into a job...

just keep on keeping on...

praying helps...

hugs

[suzifrommd]

I'm lucky in that, I kept my job through transition, mostly because of really good anti-discrimination laws in my area.

The best I can suggest is work on your interviewing skills. Look for clothing and a manner that conveys you as professional. That's what employers are looking for - people who will be dependable and not need intervention from them to do your job.

Job hunting is one of the hardest activities. It is very difficult to keep up strong self esteem. If you can find ways to remind yourself that you're a very intelligent, competent, valuable person, that's important, because you're just a name on a resume to employers and they will not treat you with any kind of empathy.

I wonder if it would be good to mention the Tourette's up front? Something like, "if you see me twitch occasionally, that's because I have Tourette's. I try to keep it under control," so it doesn't be come the elephant in the room.

[Megan Rose]

I transitioned on the job with little difficulty.   But, my company was bought out, and my position was scheduled to be phased out.   

Luckily, the parent company sought me out for a new position in their organization.   It felt pretty good to be considered for a new position being age 65 and trans.   It's extended my career long enough to finally get that surgery paid off.   

It's much more difficult to get that start in the beginning.  Pre-transition, I did that twice, both times taking entry-level positions and then working up from there.   It's a hard road to take, however.   I wish you all the best in your job search.

[Mariah]

I transitioned on the job that I have had for 17 and half years now. I have had no issues what so ever as a result of my transition. Hugs
Mariah

[Ms Grace]

I kept my job through transition - good, supportive, progressive organisation. Unfortunately we then ended up with a new pair of managers, incompetent knuckleheads who thought they knew better and made a number of positions redundant including mine. I could have stayed, they had created a new position they were offering me (idiots) but I took the very healthy redundancy and told them to shove the job. I was already looking around and doing interviews elsewhere so I didn't need much incentive. It took me four months but I found another job. Two months in and enjoying it veery much. I haven't told the general staff I'm trans even though they have very sound LGBTIQ non discrimination policies in place.

[Katiepie]

I just recently put in a two weeks notice in my current job, dealing with sexual harassment, inability for management to do anything until "it" happens again, legal discrimination, and a slew of problems...
I have an interview next week with a different company in which already know of my transgender state of being, already know me by Kate, and everything just seems much better.

Kate <3

[kelly_aus]

I applied like anyone else does and went through the standard recruitment process. I know my background check will have outed me, but me being trans is not something that has come up nor did it seem to have any influence on whether I got hired or not.

It's certainly a non-issue in the workplace.

[Sspar]

Post office is the way to go..
The trick is to just get your foot in door.  entry level pays 12hr but lots of overtime..
you can move up if you try..
Federal lgbt protections
I would recommend working at a plant ( there all over ).. delivery is hard on the body
Getting hired is easy but  needs persistence and luck..
Keep applying online.. something will come thru eventually..
I've  worked maintenance as a tech for ten years, I am transitioning right now..
no issues, and in 2016 insurance is required to cover Transgender services..
(which usually covers hormones and srs)

[iKate]

I have the same job but it is not hard for me to find a job at all.

I do not disclose trans status and people seem just fine with me as long as I know my stuff. I have gotten a few offers but they don't really pay enough.

Employers like my attitude and pleasant disposition. They also like my thoroughness in how I explain things. If anything I have this edge over my old (male) self because I was not as confident as I am now.

Getting the voice surgery and a passable voice helped a lot in this regard. Phone interviews were no problem. But more importantly I don't have to worry about my voice outing me, so I am 100x more confident.

FFS may help with in-person interviews. I am undecided on getting it. To me it is just not that important unless you have a really masculine face. You seem passable but it is hard to tell given the angle. But I just don't think that it is that important.

However, women are judged by their appearance and I dress well and neatly when I go to an interview.

I am in engineering (Electrical) and IT.

I considered computer science but these days I've seen that degree as not as useful. Basically anyone without a degree can do IT. My best guys doing IT are high school graduates. But they are very good. What employers look for is experience. They want someone with a track record. As an entry level candidate that is challenging. What I did early in my career was work on side projects at my job and gained experience in things. This way I moved up the ladder.

[OCAnne]

Hello Everyone, I do my best to offer positions to transgender folk.  Unfortunately it's difficult to find qualified individuals who can deal with high stress and exacting environment of live TV, CIS or Trans.  Currently we have a trans. woman training to be unit manager.

Obtaining Employment? How did you get yours?
Transitioned on the job. I'm EVP and promote trans-affirmative hiring. 
Thank you,
Anne

[warmbody28]

I know this varies from person to person and place to place but I work for a large hospital chain. I only disclosed what was job related. That's what I always do

[RobynD]

I give this advice a lot to people young and old, of all genders: Whatever skills you have, hang out your shingle as a freelancer. Register a company with your state and put yourself out there. Graphic design, chef, pet walker, coffee creation artist, whatever being self-employed and making scraps is better than waiting around on other people to realize your worth.

Why is it better? It is better for your ego and self-confidence. It presents well to others (yeah i get it there are a lot of people doing it so what?). It actually helps you gain employment if you desire that. It is scale-able and can be scaled back when a full time, huge paying gig comes your way, and then resurrected as soon as that gig ends. It has tax advantages. People respect it. You don't have to deal with people's idiocy near as much. It is easy to fire a customer.

The only real negatives are that some self-employment requires startup capital (but you'd be amazed on how little you can get by with) and if you are getting unemployment assistance, any self-employment may reduce or eliminate that available resource.

You are never unemployed you are only between gigs or contracts.

[girlofmydreams]

I know this is an old thread but im pursuing the forums and thought I may be able to give my 2 cents here. My girlfriend who is mtf struggled to be employed due to discrimination in multiple jobs. It wasn't getting the job that was the big obstacle for her but keeping the jobs, she had no qualifications for anything so she usually went for any job she could get which were jobs in the service industry where she had to deal with people (the last company she worked for was mcdonalds). In this time she experienced alot of harassment and discrimination from customers and staff members. She has always been very reserved and never wanted to "rock the boat" by complaining although i think she should have, i doubt a multi-national company like mcdonalds would want to be known as a company that allowed discrimination of anyone as it could hurt their profits so they would've gone to the ends to make sure she was happy working there. When she would come home feeling broken from dealing with people who hated her because she was different she did the only thing that made her feel better, making clothes. She is a very talented designer and she made dresses, skirts ect and sold them on TradeMe (my countries version of Ebay). Woman from all walks of life loved them and always left positive feedback on how much they loved them and how pretty they made them feel. It was a huge spirit lifter for her, these women didnt know she was transgender they just loved what she did. A couple of independent clothing stores even contacted her to make things for her. Long story short she is now her OWN boss, turning a hobby that made her feel good about herself into a successful business that can support her and she is free from any form of discrimination. I dont have to say she is very proud of herself. I wish I didnt have to suggest this kind of thing, im not a fan of our world and the fact that if your not normal in societies eyes is a big disadvantage is just horrible, but unfortunately thats the world we live in. This was the way she was able to find her place

[purplewuggybird]

I am applying for work now with the State of Washington, and they legally can not discriminate against me
So government jobs are good for that.

[diane 2606]

Someone up thread suggested temp agencies. Sounds like you're a techie; there are agencies that deal specifically in IT-specific positions. Are you a programmer? Security consultant? Engineer? These are positions in reasonable demand. Every temp position I had turned into full-time, except the one I ran screaming from — whackjob company. 8-)

[TG CLare]

I have an interview on Monday. Keeping my fingers crossed that they'll put me on a call back list once I have the proper driving permits. They know I don't have it but were nice enough to give me an interview anyway so let's see what happens.

Love,
Clare

[awilliams1701]

I kept the job I've already had. Everyone has been great. My boss said he personally was on my side. Also the company has had a non discrimination policy for sexual orientation in place since 1989. I was told a year ago they were working to expand it to include transgender. I have no idea if that changed or not.

I'm actually considering looking for another job. Everyone has been great, but I've conquered every challenge put before me. There really isn't anything left without a major change in position. I feel like I'm ready for a new challege.