Does transitioning lower your chance of getting a job?

[Angel On Acid]

Ive always wondered whether its alot harder to get a job after transitioning. When i told my dad years ago about being transgendered he told me that it would be almost impossible for me to get a job afterwards. Is this true or can employers look past your appearance?
Amy x

[Calistine]

Depends on where you live, what the laws are, and how tolerant your employer is.

[Mischa]

For me it has been a disaster...so I've gone back to school and graduate in December. I hope my case turns around..

[kyril]

If you pass well, then you're in the same boat as other women (i.e. there is discrimination but most manage to find some sort of work). You might run into trouble if your experience, skills, and work history are all in a heavily male-dominated blue-collar field (skilled trades in particular), especially if you also present a femme appearance post-transition. But if you're a white-collar worker it's not likely to be an issue.

Until you begin to pass well, though, you might run into some serious problems. There's unfortunately a reason why so many of our brothers and sisters turn to sex work during transition. If you don't have an adequate support system or a tolerant and supportive employer, you may have to struggle to avoid that trap.

[Mischa]

You might run into trouble if your experience, skills, and work history are all in a heavily male-dominated blue-collar field

I can agree with this quote 100%. I was in the military prior to transition.

[Torn1990]

Ive always wondered whether its alot harder to get a job after transitioning. When i told my dad years ago about being transgendered he told me that it would be almost impossible for me to get a job afterwards. Is this true or can employers look past your appearance?
Amy x

ello' amy!
Dressing very appropriately and discretely at work I think is what employers look for. Just be professional.  But uh, yeah, sure it can. If you want a job in customer service there are chances that the employer themselves may not discriminate against you, but they may feel you are a loaded cannon to customers who aren't so open minded. But like I said, I think it narrows down to how you present yourself and what kind of job you're looking for. I hate this phrase but "attitude is everything" some times will mean the most. Plus, why bring it up? some advice? Don't attempt to prove anything. Work is work.. as long as you're appropriate i don't think being trans should even come up. If you're comfortable, you might find people even employers are comfortable with you as well. I think I branched the topic a bit, but I hope you find a job and prove your dad wrong.

[uni]

I always wondered this too specifically those who don't get surgery so therefore cannot legally change their gender on legal documents. When applying for jobs you must check the sex box or show your drivers license, so what happens when they don't match?

[Angel On Acid]

When you go to a job interview and you haven't had your gender officially changed, would you go as the old or new you?

[sylvie]

Well as of yet I haven't had to look for a new job.  I work for a defense contractor and they have actually been accommodating.  Just within the last month they have held "sensitivity training" for my coworkers.  There were a couple of people who had complained because they felt disturbed.   The latest complaint had been about my underwear being visible.  Now I work blue collar.  I rewire helicopters for the coast guard, and usually I'm working on consoles.  Unfortunately, pants have a tendency of coming down a bit when you're bent over.  oops       My job has known since last summer about my transition and they will not tolerate any discrimination.   Now hopefully when the contract comes up for renewal, I'll still have a job.  If not, we shall see how it goes.

[Natalie3174]

Transitioning to the dark side has led to fewer options. The Sith dont seem to do anything but crave power. As a Jedi I could always be employed throughout the Galaxy as a peaceful negotiator.
Jobs are few and far between for the Sith. And wearing black and using Force lightning to agressively negotiate interviews doesnt help much.

[HelenW]

Unfortunately, I think it does, to a certain extent.  It depends mostly on your potential employer and the state and local laws.  Many employers do background checks on people.  Legal name changes are public records so they can find out your old name even if they didn't ask.  Otherwise, if you pass OK, you should be fine.

On the EEOC forms, I always check the female box - they are asking for my gender, not sex.  Also, I say nothing at the interview about my medical history.  It's none of their business which medical treatments I may have accessed in the past.  I'm supported by HIPPA rules and New York State disability law in those areas.

When I get hired and the HR department begins setting up payroll data, however, I confidentially disclose to the HR manager about my medical history.  Why?  I haven't had GRS and the Social Security Administration (SSA) has me listed as a male, even though my driver's license shows female.  I do this to head off any problems that could occur when the SSA sends a letter to the employer asking about the mismatch in gender markers.  After I get surgery, my BC and SSA marker can be changed and that won't be an issue anymore.

I present my history to the HR manager and stress very strongly, that this is confidential medical information that is not to be shared with anyone without my permission.  As long as you have been following the SOC you can legally do this.

Yeah, in most places they can still legally sack you because you're trans but the fact that you made it that far might just convince them to give you a chance.  We need to get ENDA passed in the US House of Representatives so we can have legal recourse against being fired for that cause.  Have you called, written and emailed your congressional representative?  If not, do it now!