Finding Work

[tunak]

Hello ladies,

I just want to get your feedback about employment, how to find work and how to carry yourself in an interview? how is it like working in a job as a TS.

I have a bachelors in Communication arts and a minor in Bio. I haven't had interviews yet, but I delayed looking for work because i am not sure whether to apply as a girl or a boy... I am seriously walking in blind folds... I dont know what to expect or even where to begin. Will i be discriminated upon? will I even get a good career out of my College degree or me being a TS nullify that educational achievement? Help! im sinking in debt, i need to pay for  my loans and health insurance.



Post Merge: March 19, 2010, 02:02:21 AM

Hello ladies,

I just want to get your feedback about employment, how to find work and how to carry yourself in an interview? how is it like working in a job as a TS.

I have a bachelors in Communication arts and a minor in Bio. I haven't had interviews yet, but I delayed looking for work because i am not sure whether to apply as a girl or a boy... I am seriously walking in blind folds... I dont know what to expect or even where to begin. Will i be discriminated upon? will I even get a good career out of my College degree or me being a TS nullify that educational achievement? Help! im sinking in debt, i need to pay for  my loans and health insurance.

[Autumn]

If that's your picture, you could probably pass no problem.
If you're going to do this, go forward with it. Change your name legally, interview as a woman.

If your circumstances don't permit you to yet, then interview as a guy. But be aware that depending on your location, you may face more discrimination as a guy who doesn't fit the gender norm for men.

[aubrey]

Totally agree with Autumn. It's really up to you but you're one of the lucky ones that is not only passable but very pretty and (for good and bad reasons) that should make it a little easier for you. There's no harm in just going for it if you've already been able to wait while you decide. It's scary to take that first step but it's better than standing still.

[tunak]

Thank ladies for the fast reply. I would interview as a girl but my voice totally gives me away, not to mention my large adams apple

[Cindy]

The adam's apple may not be such a problem. Many GG ladies have reasonably large 'adam's apples'. The voice, well I have a deep liverpool accent but I keep practising. It also depends where you are. I presume you are in the USA, I think gender laws change between states, in Australia where I am it is illegal to ask an employment question or discriminate (except on special circumstance and there are few of them) on sex, gender, religon, age etc. And if a person thinks they have been discriminated against they can put in an appeal that has to be heard by an independent body (not always in private industry BTW). And yes it is quite easy to discriminate against an interviewee without them knowing.

Can I suggset an alternative thought train? People want people who can do the job. Jobs are tight so the employer wants the best for their money. It is up to the employee to demonstrate that they really are the BEST. As an employer, I 'obviously' don't have a hang up on gender or sexulaity. BUT I will still reject anyone who isn't the best for the position. If a TG comes to an interview with me, their gender is as irrelevant as if they were a green eyed martian. I want the best.
So, practice your CV's, practice your interview techniques, make sure you present well, make sure you put forward your skills. Read the books about interview questions and have the answers ready. In an average job application I get about 100 CV's I get rid of 90% in a 30 second glance of each.
From the 10% I may select for interview I can assure you that half of them will not know the company profile, what we do or who are main clients are. Sometimes the internet generation should learn to use the internet . And I'm in a very specialized area .

So as far as I'm concerned Tristan V that your gender is not that important. Your job skills and experience are.

Good Luck

Cindy

[SarahFaceDoom]

Be yourself.  If someone is not going to hire you because you are trans, then you didn't want to work for them anyways.  The thing to focus on isn't your trans stuff, but like Cindy said: your qualifications, and your interview skills.  Show that you are good for the job, and the rest will follow.

Plus I've always felt if you don't make your trans issues a central thing, then most professional people won't either.

[JillEclipse]

Wow, you are very pretty! I'd hire you any day...if I had a business that is. (someday...)

[juliekins]

Be yourself.  If someone is not going to hire you because you are trans, then you didn't want to work for them anyways.  The thing to focus on isn't your trans stuff, but like Cindy said: your qualifications, and your interview skills.  Show that you are good for the job, and the rest will follow.

Plus I've always felt if you don't make your trans issues a central thing, then most professional people won't either.

With all due respect to you and Cindy James, I beg to differ with you both. There were companies that I wanted to work for, who had bone headed hiring managers who couldn't get past their own prejudices. They were not following the equal employment guidelines set forth by their own companies or within the State in which I live. I might as well have been a martian sitting there with a laser gun. I have been applying for positions in an area where extensive background investigations are conducted where any and all name changes are tracked FOREVER.

Cindy James, you are a very smart and open minded employer when it comes to gender history. Of course this makes sense in your case. I have run across open minded employers, but I have found it hard to keep wind of my past from not spreading within an office. People do talk, and unfortunately, their opinion of us sometimes changes. At certain places, where I am doing outreach activities, I don't mind my past coming up. In the workplace where pay and promotions are involved, I do not wish for my past to be known. Both Julie and I have been discriminated against too often.

At this point, I am finding it easier to be self employed than to continue to fight prejudice as an employee. Were I not in a field where my past would not come up in the hiring process, it would be a different story. It is tough going through the interviewing process knowing that 1/3 to 1/2 of the time the hiring manager will change their tune on you after coming to learn of your past....

[ivy]

You may be seeing this tiny thing through a magnifying glass. There are lots of women with deep voices. (and there is always the classic look of a strategicly placed scarf.) Interveiw skills are the most important thing and something you can prepare for. Go in with confidence. I think I would want to find out what the rules are with identification because they want to know you are who you say you are, when they do a background check and such. I am a business owner and my biggest concern is that I find the right person for the job at hand. Def research the biz you apply for. You might be surprised to find there are lots of progressive places you might enjoy working for!     

[Icephoenyx]

If I were you I would interview as a girl, as long as your name is changed or at least gender neutral.

But, if your credentials are all in your boy name, just be honest with your interviewer(s). I'm in the exact same boat as you and this is what I plan to do.

Chrissi