Finding a Job when Transgender? (FTM)

[ratkingleo]

Hey all.
I'm still very new to this site so please forgive any formatting mistakes,etc.
I'm moving to the West Virginia area (near Ohio) in just a couple of months, and I'm really concerned about being able to find a job. I'll be living rent free with my boyfriend and his parents, which is great, but I'm still going to need money to pay for doctor's visits, medications that I need, my testosterone injections, and food/supplies for my rats as well as money for food and spending money. Obviously, I'm going to be trying to find a job as soon as possible. However, I've only been employed once and it didn't go very well. My main questions are: should I use my birth name/legal name on my resume? Should I even disclose the fact that I'm transgender to my employer? Does anyone who lives in this area know what the job market is like?
I'm really only looking for a part time job as I'm not too worried about money since my parents are still offering to pay for my health insurance and other really important/crucial things. BTW I'm 17, 18 in just a few weeks.. I've been looking for work for almost a year now after leaving my previous job and no one has thrown me a bone. However I do live in the south (Texas) and it's really difficult to not come in contact with people who are discriminatory here.

[Dena]

At some point in the employment process, your name and social security number will be sent by your employer to the IRS. If they don't match the records, the IRS will request that your employer correct the records. You don't have to provide this information when you're applying for a job but the information will be required if you're accepted for a job.

I can't tell you exactly how to handle this but it's best not to be caught in a lie. Possibly you can leave some things blank until the employer actually request the information. It's also possible if you have a LGBT friendly employer they will ask for a preferred name which means you have some freedom in what you provide.

[Rachel]

You will need to provide your legal information at some point. HR with the prospective employer is the best place to ask those questions and preferred name.

Where I work if caught falsifying information it is a firing offense. I have had to let people go due to resume and job application falsification.

Universities, colleges and Hospitals ten to be more liberal in diversity. Civil Service is a potential too.

When I changed my name, drivers license, passport and Social Security along with my GCS certificate I sent electronic copies to HR and my Supervisor (Sr VP). My gender and name were changed on the roles at work. See if you can use a preferred or nick name at the new job.

It may be beneficial to look up the HRC scores of perspective employers in the area.

[tgchar21]

Where I work if caught falsifying information it is a firing offense. I have had to let people go due to resume and job application falsification.

What about in a case like the one being described here where someone uses the name they go by (but is not their legal name) on their résumé/application (but informs you of their legal name at the point it is necessary for you to know)? (I'm talking about someone who uses a preferred name for any reason and not just transgender people.) Would you ding someone on a technical issue that did not have a material effect on the hiring process like that? (As I've pointed out in other threads on here situations like these should not be seen in the same way as when for example one fudges their work history, education credentials, criminal history, etc.)

[Ryuichi13]

If you have a name that you have chosen, to go ahead and have it legally changed.  Of course, that means changing your Social security card, your driver's license and any other documents.  If not, then chances are you will have to have your current legal name on all of your work forms.

Ryuichi

[Rachel]

Sorry, I did not see your reply.

On our job applications is says what is your legal name (even our health screenings). So if you provide a different name you could be subject for dismissal on grounds of falsification. Where I work you need to have finger prints, an FBI background check and a Megan's Law check. We also screen for drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

Some people try to avoid being detected and there is a zero tolerance policy. I do know when I came out to HR they were very supportive. I used a preferred name until my court date. Then I used my legal name.

Where I work, LGBT are backed 100% and it is not a reason for not hiring. We are an HRC 100% company and there are a lot of diversity in all ways. Our company is about 80% female, perhaps higher in managerial positions.

We allow nick names and preferred names to be on some public material. My professional license was changed after  I changed my name. I use my professional license for documents at work.

My company is very supportive; however, all company's differ and some are not supportive.

Best,
Rachel