Applying for jobs

[tvc15]

I'll be applying for jobs soon, but I'm wondering what I should put on the application forms for my name and gender. I haven't legally changed my name, nor my sex, and I'm not on hormones, but I present as male in public. Can I mark M and put my preferred name, or do I have to use the legal info and then explain everything in person? Would I need a letter from my therapist for any reason? Thanks...

[Janet_Girl]

if you don't use your legal information, you can be fired for false information.

It is best to apply with your information and then explain to the interviewing person.

[xAndrewx]

Janet is right. Some jobs will ask you for a preferred name so you can put what you prefer there but otherwise gotta tell them the legal stuff. Someone pointed out to me though, so I'll pass it along, that gender isn't always mandatory so you can check on each application to find out if gender is voluntary info.

[tvc15]

Thanks for the help, guys. I applied at Target today, and on the form you could put your preferred name if it differed from your legal name. Also, for the gender selection, one of the options was "Prefer not to answer" or something like that. So my worrying was in vain.

[xAndrewx]

Yeah, found that out last night Also, ToysRus and BabiesRus have the same option on preferred name and whether or not you want to put gender

[Lukas-H]

I always check "Prefer not to answer" if it's there, otherwise I put the legal answer because it is possible you can get in trouble for 'falsifying'. It would be great if people included things like 'Transgender' or "Gender non-conforming" or something like that besides the usual Male/Female.

[Tad]

IF it says Gender I like to put male.. if it's sex.. I just leave it blank or put the dreaded F.

[sej]

Thanks for the help, guys. I applied at Target today, and on the form you could put your preferred name if it differed from your legal name. Also, for the gender selection, one of the options was "Prefer not to answer" or something like that. So my worrying was in vain.

Out of curiosity, why are you applying to Target?  I've been boycotting their stores ever since they donated $150,000 to a PAC that supported Tom Emmer, an anti-gay gubernatorial candidate in Minnesota.  Emmer specifically spoke out against gay marriage and legislation that would create anti-bullying programs in Minnesota schools to protect LGBT youth.  The company did apologize, but it felt like a hollow gesture.  Mind you, I'm not judging you personally, but it's something you should weigh in when considering the kind of people you want to work for.

I know there aren't that many options for young people, and I've had moral issues with several jobs I've done in my lifetime.  Thought I would make you aware of that story if you hadn't heard it already, though.

Also, I actually dress up in women's clothing for job interviews and do my best impression of my mother I can muster, because I find that more places call me back.  It's extremely degrading, I hate doing it, and the last time I did it (for the place I am currently working), I had yet to begin testosterone, so I don't think I'll be doing it again.  Anyway, to avoid being accused of fraud, you should use the information on your birth certificate (they're going to want to see I-9 documents to confirm your identity before they put you on the books, anyway), but then explain to your interviewer (who will most likely, but not always, be one of your superiors if they end up hiring you) about your situation.

I personally wait and come out to a few people after I've been hired.  The company I currently work for is small (20 employees), so I came out to everyone here all at once, but if you're not comfortable coming out to groups, you can just tell your boss and then gradually fill your co-workers in.  If you want to be entitled to use the men's bathroom and to be addressed with the right pronouns, you'll have to come out to most if not all of them, though.

[xAndrewx]

Sej, I can't answer for him but I applied to them as well. As much as I hate to hear what they did I have applications in at hundreds of places. No job=no money for transition. It's the lesser of two evils Also, I figure although the company did that, that isn't how all of the employees feel. I figure if I get an offer from Target and another place I just won't take Targets offer but I will if it's all I got.

[zombiesarepeaceful]

I'm extremely stubborn. So before I had my name & gender legally changed I put my preferred name on the app. Granted, I probably didn't get a few jobs for that reason cuz if they checked the ss number against the name before an interview, I didn't exist. Then at the interview I'd be like yeah...btw...___ is my legal name. Sometimes I'd list the birth name but the more dysphoric I got the less I did that. For gender or sex I'd always check male. Cuz I am. And that's that. But I'm very stubborn. YMMV.

I don't recommend doing anything that would get you in legal trouble. If you do get a job, they will NEED to know your legal name for social security and taxes but you can still ask that they call you your preferred name.

[tvc15]

Yeah, I have really bad dysphoria regarding my legal name and gender, but I also don't like to make waves, so I'll just conform to their rules and straighten things out when I get the opportunity. That, to me, is the most important thing. But thanks for letting me know it can be done.

And yeah Michael speaks the truth. It's a job, and I have to take what I can get.