Finding work as a transgender person really sucks

[Amoré]

I have been looking for work for about a month now. I didn't even get one interview. As a high level java developer you would think I won't struggle but then I realized it might be because I am transgender. People are scared of employing me. My Id number got changed last week but I don't have my new Id yet and they still reference my old Id number.
I just don't know what to do because we need the money. If my Id gets changed I don't have to disclose to them that I am transgender or is that fraud?

[sophie1904]

I'm UK based but I can't imagine that it is fraud to not disclose your transgender status.

Depending on your country though, speaking as a hiring manager, being in tech and transgender is not actually that unusual so it's interesting for me that you're not even getting interviews - when you say you're putting in your id number, what exactly does this refer to?

Do you network at all in the field? What sort of companies are you applying for / have you considered relocation?

Hard to know if it's because your trans or something else about your situation (country, environment, opportunities etc) that is holding you back?

[Amoré]

I'm UK based but I can't imagine that it is fraud to not disclose your transgender status.

Depending on your country though, speaking as a hiring manager, being in tech and transgender is not actually that unusual so it's interesting for me that you're not even getting interviews - when you say you're putting in your id number, what exactly does this refer to?

Do you network at all in the field? What sort of companies are you applying for / have you considered relocation?

Hard to know if it's because your trans or something else about your situation (country, environment, opportunities etc) that is holding you back?

I got a new Id number but not yet my id card I am still waiting for that to be printed and delivered. I get a lot of interested from recruiters but no offers or interviews. I disclosed to them that I am transgender as I am still using my male Id number. I then never hear back from them again

[Dena]

I don't know if it's different in your country but in the United States the only reason you need to disclose your past is if your job requires a security clearance. In that case, you must tell the absolute truth. If you suspect the are going to check out your references it might be a good idea if your references are in your old name. Otherwise, I wouldn't disclose unless I was asked.

[warlockmaker]

All the major global banks have a diversity hiring requirement and I know they hire TGs at all levels. I would think its the same with the global tech companies and other major global  brands. Its the qualification and ability that counts. I understand that many non international companies can be discreetly prejudiced and the SME can be outright discrimitory.

[Denise]

All the major global banks have a diversity hiring requirement and I know they hire TGs at all levels. I would think its the same with the global tech companies and other major global  brands. Its the qualification and ability that counts. I understand that many non international companies can be discreetly prejudiced and the SME can be outright discrimitory.

I work for a global bank and next Friday we are going to be actively recruiting at a LGBT job fair.  I agree with warlockmaker try large Banks.  We are typically looking for developers and your personal status makes no difference.

An other thing you can do to be proactive would be to contact one of those recruiters that didn't call you back and ask them why you didn't get a call back.

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[Megan.]

The major pharma I work for also attends LGBT job fairs,  and we're trans* friendly.

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[Bari Jo]

Most arts and entertainment companies are lgbt inclusive also.

[sophie1904]

I'll just add that I do work for a major tech employer (Amazon) and have interviewed successfully while being open about my trans status at Google and Facebook so I'm certain it's not a blocker as such for a job.

It really does depend what your options are though, feel free to PM me if you want to talk off thread.

[Katie Jade]

Hi
I'm UK based and this is one of the major issues I have with going 100% transition, in that know (as a middle manager Engineering) that there are many way of getting rid of people that you don't want - trans or not (I don't do that btw but have seen the ruthless ways people are culled when needed over the last 30 years). So, as I have a family (hopefully to keep) I am very worried about my future. Incidentally I think I applied to Amazon a year or 2 ago for Ops Manager or above but the role was too risky a job - no offence intended.
All things being equal I really want to trans fully  (after more weight loss), but this is a major obstacle in my way - Continued employment and being accepted in the work place, in UK and EU sites. It really worries me that unless you can pass 98%+ (I cant) then you have a major issue that possibly will stop transition fully. GRRR. really don't like the unknown at times...
Love
Katie Jade

[Amoré]

I am in South Africa. I am not sure how they feel about transgender but the last two companies I worked for was bad experiences. The one wanted to fire me off the bat when they found out. They said I should have disclosed my intentions to transition in the interview. The other one hired me because he had motives. He had the hots for transgender people and was coming on to me so I had to leave the job. So now I am stuck and struggling. I am trying freelancer and upwork but to now avail. I just can't compete with the rates of what the other guys are doing work for.

[warlockmaker]

Amore, the advice given by those who responded is the you seek to join an international firm who support lgbt rights globally. Local companies prejudices are quite common. Good luck.

[rmaddy]

Your job history will all be under your "formerly known as" name.  I think you need to disclose if only to show them how qualified you are.  Knowing that they know you're trans, go into the interviews and own it.  You've worked hard do get where you are.  Show them how hard you will work again.

Good luck!

[sophie1904]

Your job history will all be under your "formerly known as" name.  I think you need to disclose if only to show them how qualified you are.  Knowing that they know you're trans, go into the interviews and own it.  You've worked hard do get where you are.  Show them how hard you will work again.

Good luck!

Not necessarily - generally speaking, companies have an obligation in the EU to maintain accurate data so informing your previous employers of your transition will require them to upgrade their records to reflect your new name.

In the UK, once a GRC (Gender Recognition Certificate) is issued, it is a criminal offence to disclose someones previous gender identity or transgender status.

What I would say is that don't approach the interview process like you've done something wrong or that you expect to be discriminated against - I know that's easier said than done but you can only control your behaviour and you don't want to come across as a paranoid victim expecting discrimination.

[sophie1904]

Incidentally I think I applied to Amazon a year or 2 ago for Ops Manager or above but the role was too risky a job - no offence intended.

No offence taken at all but I'm curious what you mean by too risky? (PM me if you would rather not discuss here).

[KarynMcD]

I have been looking for work for about a month now. I didn't even get one interview. As a high level java developer you would think I won't struggle but then I realized it might be because I am transgender. People are scared of employing me.

Only a month? I think it should take a few months, at least, as a high level developer.

[Megan.]

Hi
I'm UK based and this is one of the major issues I have with going 100% transition, in that know (as a middle manager Engineering) that there are many way of getting rid of people that you don't want - trans or not (I don't do that btw but have seen the ruthless ways people are culled when needed over the last 30 years). So, as I have a family (hopefully to keep) I am very worried about my future. Incidentally I think I applied to Amazon a year or 2 ago for Ops Manager or above but the role was too risky a job - no offence intended.
All things being equal I really want to trans fully  (after more weight loss), but this is a major obstacle in my way - Continued employment and being accepted in the work place, in UK and EU sites. It really worries me that unless you can pass 98%+ (I cant) then you have a major issue that possibly will stop transition fully. GRRR. really don't like the unknown at times...
Love
Katie Jade

Hi hun. I work for GSK in the UK. I transitioned in role (4 months ago).
The company and my colleagues have been 100% supportive. I certainly don't pass,  and my voice is all over the place.
I'm out,  visible and active in our LGBT network,  and at public facing events.
I network across many UK blue chips and they are all very LGBT friendly. I work hard to improve trans* awareness and understanding. There will always be biggots in the world,  but I promise you'll find many more allies.
Almost 5 months into RLE I've not had one single negative experience out in public.
PM me if you need to talk or want to know more.  X

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[Kylo]

When your new ID comes in I assume they will no longer have any link to the old one. How long before that happens?

[Nina]

Personally, being trans where I live wasn't the issue.
I live in a bilingual city, and if you don't speak French, you're screwed. My city (Ottawa Canada) is like half government jobs and the other half high tech jobs.
Add in I was in my 40s...it gets harder to apply to jobs.
Then throw in my former life, I ran a few billion dollars of investment money. Transitioning on the job was unthinkable in my mind. The money business is like 95% male...try competing in that world as a trans woman.

I tried for a few years, never getting interviews even for the simplest of jobs. Either I was over educated, one dimensional (investments), too old, or a woman.

[Amy Chislett]

I can see how being paranoid of being discriminated against is easy.  Where I live people like to make comments, even the best intentioned; and it is a very conservative atmosphere.  I have never had much luck in the labor market so it's hard to stay interested.  Non profits atleast say they are t friendly; but the social dynamic is a little different.