Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Well, it appears I may finally be a little bit closer to being able to go full-time; I have my first job interview as myself Tuesday afternoon.

The company's founder is known to be somewhat liberal, and the position does not require me to deal with the general public, so I'm somewhat more confident than if it were otherwise. Still, I can't deny my nervousness. This would make such a huge difference in my life...

They don't know of my TS status yet; I intend making things clear early in the interview (if they haven't figured it out for themselves by then!). I discussed this with my therapist and several friends, and they all agreed that it would be better for them to actually meet me first than to give them a chance to reject me sight unseen.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this, or advice on how to handle the situation? I'd greatly appreciate any insights you may have.

Annie

I agree Annie.

Starting out they way you intend to finish is the best way to go.  Being honest and up front with them at the interview will demonstrate your strength of character, your integrity, your honesty and your resolve.  The other issue you will need to explain is what and who you are to allay any fears they could have over hiring a transsexual, after all it's not everyday that we apply for work.  Keep the explanation simple and brief, covering points such as what transsexuals are and are not, how it will not interfere with your performance, or the performance of the company, that the company will not incur any medical costs, etc, etc.  There is no risk to them.

You may also want to look at the article in the Wiki  Coming Out at the Workplace (https://www.susans.org/wiki/A_Guide_to_Coming_Out_at_the_Workplace#Preparation).  There is a lot of information there about issues that employers would need to resolve, or simply be aware of.

No need for keeping fingers crossed Annie, personally, based on your participation at Susan's alone, I think you would be a definite asset to any employer who hired you.

Good luck Annie

Steph

I'm way behind you Annie, I got my first apointment at my therapist in May so I can hardly give you some seriously advice except that I agree with Stephanie. Specially on this one:

QuoteNo need for keeping fingers crossed Annie, personally, based on your participation at Susan's alone, I think you would be a definite asset to any employer who hired you.

Good luck Annie,

* :icon_hug:*

Michelle

Annie,

We're rooting for you 100%  Best of luck!

Chaunte

Go Annie :)

I concur with what Steph said, present the issue as you would like it heard. Reassure them if necessary that it won't interfere with your work performance (in fact, it will likely improve it, feeling more yourself). I found it helpful to emphasize the 'diagnosis' part - ie: it's not just a whim, I have been diagnosed with GID.

And I agree that you'd be an asset to any employer based on what I've read of your posts on Susan's.

Dennis

Go Annie go.
I believe it's good to be honest and up front about it or it will come back to bite you later in the you know where.
Show them what kind of a woman you are Annie. A real go getter.
:)
Jillieann

Please accept my best wishes, Annie!

Knock on wood!  (Helen winces as she hits herself in the head)

^{* hee hee *}

Wow... what can I say?

Thank you all for the kind and encouraging words. I always knew that I would inform them early on; the only question was whether to say something during the email-and-phone-call phase, or wait until the interview itself. I think I've made the right choice.

Thank you Stephanie for reminding me of that section of the Wiki; it had been a while since I had seen it, and it really is helpful. I've taken a section of the "transition package" there and modified it into a one-page sheet I can leave with them after the interview.

Dennis, that's a great point about emphasising 'diagnosis'. I've taken it a step farther and minimized the use of the term 'transsexual'; it unfortunately has become a loaded word. I'm playing up the GID angle instead.

I'm also planning to point out that, while I'm asking them to jump through some hoops for me (pending name change, the restroom situation), I would undoubtedly be one of the most loyal employees they've ever had!

Thanks again to everyone; I'll keep you posted. And keep those fingers crossed!

Annie

Annie,
Stephanie is right on. Be honest with your future employer. I have heard that most companies really don't care one way or the other, just be the same person you started out as. You identified as a female, don't change in midstream, I know that won't happen. I really don't think anything will be an issue. Maybe the restroom for a while but help them out. Keep an open mind and do what it takes to get the job. After a while they will embrace you for who you are. This is like any other new employee,new kid on the block.
Sheila
PS go get em girl

i wish you the best of luck

Good luck Annie.  I'm glad you have the courage to do that.  I personally think it's a really smart plan, but my situation doesn't allow me to do that.  So, hopefully plan B will work for me, which is coming out at my new employer in a few months or later.  I hope you get the job.

Melissa

I have to say it sounds like you have an excellent strategy.

You wowed them with your resume, experience, and phone interview. Now go do it at the interview.

My only advice would be to be honest, but don't say more than you need to all at once. Once you have fully disclosed your diagnosis with them, let them ask the questions, even encourage them to ask them, but maybe don't offer up too much extra information that first day. My only concern would be getting into that situation, everything is going along fine, they are receptive, and then I start blabbering on about how happy that they are willing to work with me, and even though you will have to jump through hoops for me, I will be the most loyal employee. And then they start asking, "hoops, what hoops?" Like Stephanie pointed out, simply make it clear that there is no risk, no downside to hiring you, and leave it at that. You are a valuable human resource, and the more ordinary your situation seems to them, the more ordinary they will receive it. I haven't read over the wiki article mentioned in a while, but if I remember correctly, there is a lot of information there, that while it is important, might be better left to orientation day, instead of interview day. That is unless they ask before then.

That is my two cents.

As far as I am concerned you are a beautiful rebel activist paving the way for all the girls who will come after you.

Hope that makes sense.

Best of luck Annie. Find your day especially well.

Again, thanks to everyone... I'm heading out the door in 5 minutes, and I'm nervous as hell, but I'm also confident. If it doesn't work out, it's their loss.

I'll report back this evening!

Annie


Posted at: 25 April 2006, 14:21:26

---

Well, the interview went well!

No one gave me any funny looks, no one screamed, "That's a guy!" when I walked into the corporate offices, and the person I was interviewing only seemed interested in me as a potential employee. We talked for quite a while about qualifications, experience, and people we both know in the industry; he never brought up the issue. When I finally did, telling him my legal name and explaining my situation briefly, he seemed legitimately sympathetic.

They are interviewing 16 people this week, and should know something by the middle of next week. He promised they would be in contact whatever the decision, and as I left, he was reading over the information sheet I had left him.

I left with the impression that my gender really won't be an issue; even after I brought it up, the questions were about salary issues and software perferences, not bathrooms and name changes. Overall, I feel good about it. I think I did everything right, and even if I don't get the job, I'll know I got a fair hearing.

I guess I'll have to ask everyone to keep your fingers crossed just a little bit longer; so far, it seems to be working!

Annie

How absolutely awesome!!!  I'm so glad it went well for you.  That has to do wonders for your self-confidence in presenting yourself.....  And if you don't get this one, you'll know that you can go to an interview as yourself. 

I certainly hope you get the job!!

Best wishes, Annie.

Carol

That is great Anne, see sometimes you do get a fair hearing from the corporate world.

Sarah L.

Annie, that's wonderful news!

Do keep us posted about it. If nothing else, it's a positive experience with which to bolster yourself if you do have to continue the employment hunt. And, best case scenario, sounds like you will get a really good place to work if you do get the job :)

Dennis

Ya done good hon :)

Steph

We are all with you. You must be so proud of yourself. You deserve a prize AND the job!

Merry day.

Well done and I will do Anne.
Jillieann

Jeez... you guys amaze me. The outpouring of support here is nothing short of amazing, and I'm saying this on an amazing day.

I've been out in public before, but this was public. I was so encouraged by the whole experience that immediately after the interview, I went to the bank & cashed a check, then went shopping at Wally World. Not a single hassle or bad experience.

I'm not saying that I passed; I've said before that I don't believe I'll ever be 100% passable (is anyone really that confident?); I'm sure there was some whispering going on behind my back, and a few looks being passed back and forth, but I've always said that if I can leave people in enough doubt that no one says anything about it, I'd be happy. Well, I'm happy!

This was the most liberating day I've had since my first meeting with my therapist, the first time I ever told anyone who I really was. I want to thank you all for being a big part of it with all your love and encouragement; it wouldn't have happened without you.

Annie

Did you have fun? I bet you did. Who is and what criteria do they use to pass 100%. For that criteria, do born women pass? There will always be someone talking behind your back. Don't worry about it and have fun.
Sheila

Shopping sounds like a prize to me!

And a friend once told me to worry about what my makeup looks like, not what other people are thinking. A sort of zen koan for the MTF transgendered.

Merry day.

 :eusa_clap: :eusa_clap: :eusa_clap: Bravo girl!! That's a great news and I'm very happy for you! :icon_joy: :eusa_dance:

*fingers still crossed*

Michelle

Well, you can all stop crossing your fingers now; I didn't get the job.

My guess is that they felt I was overqualified, and wouldn't be happy in the long run doing more production-oriented work than creative; I do have to say that I feel I got a fair shot.

I'll just have to keep looking, but tonight I'm going to curl up on the sofa with a spoon and a half-gallon of ice cream and do some serious self-consolation.

Thanks to all for rooting for me; I'll be asking again! And if anyone knows of a job opening... :)

Annie

Hey Annie the important part is that you went through with it as you, and you can be proud of that.  Don't give up hon, I'm sure there will undoubtedly be other opportunities.

Steph

I'm so sorry too that you didn't get the job, Annie!  I always figured that if a company is dumb enough not to hire me then I don't want to work for them anyway!  You'll get more chances.

And just think how much easier it'll be the next time around!  Nothing terrible happened and you'll have been through it once before.   You'll be so much better at the next interview.

A smart and creative person such as yourself will find her place, sooner rather than later I think.  Enjoy the ice cream, watch out for brain freeze ^*giggles* and keep those spirits up.

(got a second spoon?)
helen

I missed this thread earlier. 

I'm glad you had a good interview experience.  It will make the next one much easier.

If you said what kind of work you do, I missed it.  My company is hiring in many parts of the country and, at least, has sexual orientation in the EEO statement and one one or more TS working for it. 

Give us a bit more info, and maybe some of us can point you to a potential company.

I bet you didn't get the job because there's a better one out there waiting for you.  That's what happened to me.  I had 3 interviews which I thought went really well, but I was turned down for the first 2.  I got the third one, which was the best of the 3 jobs.  I am very happy with it.  I'll bet you will find something even better.

Melissa

Thank you all once again... you guys really have made this whole thing a lot easier.

I really don't feel terrible about not getting this one; after all, it was my first interview! There will be more to come, and like Melissa, I'm taking this as meaning there's a better one waiting for me down the road.

Robyn, I'm a graphic artist doing illustration, 3D modeling, layout, website design, and general Photoshop work. You can see alot of my stuff at my website (it's in my profile).

And Helen, there's definitely an extra spoon around here somewhere; in fact, I think I have enough for all of you!

Thanks again...

Annie

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that, I was so sure that you will get that job  :(.

I feel very disappointed at the moment but maybe is Melissa wright, I really hope that she's wright.


* :icon_hug:*

Michelle

Annie,
Sorry that you didn't get the job, but like someone else said, that just means that there's something better out there.

I'm sure you'll find something soon....

Best of luck to you.

Carol