Community Conversation => Transitioning => Real-Life Experience => Topic started by: allisonsteph on May 13, 2014, 09:20:40 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Awkward Job Interview - When the Past Collides with the Present
Post by: allisonsteph on May 13, 2014, 09:20:40 PM
Post by: allisonsteph on May 13, 2014, 09:20:40 PM
The job hunt continues...
I had an interview today with a company that I worked for prior to my transition for more than ten years and have been away from for more than five years. When the interviewer walked into the room I recognized her immediately as someone who worked at the same location I had worked but in a different department. She looked at me, looked at my application, saw that I had worked for the company previously and said "I feel like we've met before".
I could only reply with "I remember you, but I looked a lot different then than I do now". :P
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1032.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa410%2Fallisonsteph%2FTandN002_zps6334d434.jpg&hash=87a2003f74e69c478136f674f282457546d79664) (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/allisonsteph/media/TandN002_zps6334d434.jpg.html)
When I completed the job application it only asked for legal name and preferred name, it didn't ask for any names used previously. It did ask for my employee ID number so they easily could have looked up my and found my old info, but I don't know if they did prior to the interview or not. I really had no idea how to approach the topic of transition and name discrepancy.
In any event the interview seemed to go well and it is one of the most LGBT friendly companies that I have ever seen, so hopefully this one will work out.
I had an interview today with a company that I worked for prior to my transition for more than ten years and have been away from for more than five years. When the interviewer walked into the room I recognized her immediately as someone who worked at the same location I had worked but in a different department. She looked at me, looked at my application, saw that I had worked for the company previously and said "I feel like we've met before".
I could only reply with "I remember you, but I looked a lot different then than I do now". :P
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1032.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa410%2Fallisonsteph%2FTandN002_zps6334d434.jpg&hash=87a2003f74e69c478136f674f282457546d79664) (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/allisonsteph/media/TandN002_zps6334d434.jpg.html)
When I completed the job application it only asked for legal name and preferred name, it didn't ask for any names used previously. It did ask for my employee ID number so they easily could have looked up my and found my old info, but I don't know if they did prior to the interview or not. I really had no idea how to approach the topic of transition and name discrepancy.
In any event the interview seemed to go well and it is one of the most LGBT friendly companies that I have ever seen, so hopefully this one will work out.
Title: Re: Awkward Job Interview - When the Past Collides with the Present
Post by: Ms Grace on May 14, 2014, 03:47:46 AM
Post by: Ms Grace on May 14, 2014, 03:47:46 AM
She did well to "feel she'd met you before" you look so different in your before and after pics. If she didn't figure out I bet it was driving her crazy, thing is she'd be thinking of women she knew! :laugh:
Good luck!
Good luck!
Title: Re: Awkward Job Interview - When the Past Collides with the Present
Post by: Ms Grace on June 07, 2014, 07:35:17 PM
Post by: Ms Grace on June 07, 2014, 07:35:17 PM
Unfortunately I don't think Alison did, she's been having a very rough time lately. Hopefully she will drop back in and let us know how she's going.
Title: Re: Awkward Job Interview - When the Past Collides with the Present
Post by: allisonsteph on June 08, 2014, 11:45:21 AM
Post by: allisonsteph on June 08, 2014, 11:45:21 AM
I in fact did not get the job. That phone call telling me that they had decided not to hire me was pretty much the last straw and sent me over the edge. Feel free to check my posts over the last month to see what I am talking about.
Seeing Ms. Grace asked...
I am doing a bit better. After three nights in a motel and two nights sleeping on the streets, I have found a place to stay for a while. An old friend who I hadn't seen or talked to in years (since WAY before my transition) had seen my pleas for help on Facebook and offered a helping hand. Just having a roof over my head has given me enough stability that I can begin to address the issues that landed me in this situation in the first place. I have entered into intense outpatient therapy and my doctors have made adjustments to my anti-depressant medications. While it has been only a few days, I do feel better than I did before and I think it is a step in the right direction. I have begun attending NA meetings to address my substance abuse and addiction issues. I have started an application for long term disability. As much as I would like to work, it is probably not in my best interest to add the stress of a full time job on top of the other issues I am dealing with. I am still not sure what will happen with my relationship. There is still a lot of love there, but my drug fueled rage has caused a lot of fear. I am sure that there is something to be salvaged, but I don't know what that will look like.
I still have a lot of work ahead of me, but I am much better than I was three weeks ago when I attempted to take my own life. I once again would like to thank this community for the concern, support, encouragement and love it has shown me. Even though it is highly unlikely that I will ever meet anyone from this site in person, it is a good feeling to know that there are people out there who care.
Seeing Ms. Grace asked...
I am doing a bit better. After three nights in a motel and two nights sleeping on the streets, I have found a place to stay for a while. An old friend who I hadn't seen or talked to in years (since WAY before my transition) had seen my pleas for help on Facebook and offered a helping hand. Just having a roof over my head has given me enough stability that I can begin to address the issues that landed me in this situation in the first place. I have entered into intense outpatient therapy and my doctors have made adjustments to my anti-depressant medications. While it has been only a few days, I do feel better than I did before and I think it is a step in the right direction. I have begun attending NA meetings to address my substance abuse and addiction issues. I have started an application for long term disability. As much as I would like to work, it is probably not in my best interest to add the stress of a full time job on top of the other issues I am dealing with. I am still not sure what will happen with my relationship. There is still a lot of love there, but my drug fueled rage has caused a lot of fear. I am sure that there is something to be salvaged, but I don't know what that will look like.
I still have a lot of work ahead of me, but I am much better than I was three weeks ago when I attempted to take my own life. I once again would like to thank this community for the concern, support, encouragement and love it has shown me. Even though it is highly unlikely that I will ever meet anyone from this site in person, it is a good feeling to know that there are people out there who care.
Title: Re: Awkward Job Interview - When the Past Collides with the Present
Post by: allisonsteph on June 08, 2014, 12:00:24 PM
Post by: allisonsteph on June 08, 2014, 12:00:24 PM
Quote from: paula lesley on June 08, 2014, 11:56:39 AM
Lovely to hear you are ok. <3 You can come live with me in England, babe ! Just take one step at a time. X
I have always wanted to visit the UK. Three of my grandparents were born in England, and the other was born in Scotland. :)