Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Sometime we need to face our fears, and overcome them. This is my story about conquering my insecurities.

After I sold my business a year and a half ago to raise funds for transition, I found myself needing to get back into the working world. I had been doing insurance sales for over 15 years, however I was managing to do this in the wrong gender. I never quite felt that I had reached my peak, since GID was heavily weighing on me for at least the last 5 years. By the end, I could barely face my customers.

Now with a new lease on life, I started looking into many career possibilities. None of these, initially were in sales. I didn't have the money for more college, so I sent out resumes in the field of my college studies. Many resumes later, still no interest.

I decided that I would put my resume out there, this time as a career salesperson. No mention, of course, of my previous gender. I would be selling "John Q. Public" again, but this time as the real me~Julie.

Not unexpectedly, I got many inquiries and some calls from other insurance companies. I summoned my courage, with my partner Julie Marie's help, and started the interviewing process. I went on about 8 or 10 interviews with different companies. I seemed to be doing well, and maybe only got one or two puzzled looks.

I had to face blatant prejudice in one case, where they found out about my male background. The general manager was eagerly courting me into sales management until he found that 20 years earlier I had worked at his company "as a guy". A week later, he sent me an email stating I was not a "good fit"-too much experience!

Fortunately, I found one firm that had an excellent reputation to approach. I had actually gotten a call from a sales manager there, early on in my transition, but never called back. I was not ready at that time, to face my demons. However, now I was. I contacted them again, and scheduled an interview. I knew when I got off the elevator that this was one well run organization. The place just seemed to "feel right".

I was well received by this sales manager, and was invited back to a series of interviews. During the background investigation (since we sell securities and handle people's money), they turned up my old identity. I knew this might come up, and handled it as best I could. The sales manager seemed to handle this revelation with grace. I had already met the owner of this firm once, and he was not aware of my "past". I would be meeting him once more, the following week, with him now knowing the "full deal". This owner, BTW, is a conservative businessman who is revered in our industry.

He was nothing but gracious and professional. After 15 minutes, he turned to the sales manager and said, "let's finish the paperwork and get this going, Bill. Julie, we are very excited to have you join our firm"!

At this point it looks like I will be joining this firm in 2 weeks, once all the contracts are completed. This insurance firm was rated as one of the 101 best places to work in our city, as voted by the employees and an outside consulting company. They represent probably the largest insurance company in the States, which also happens to be GLBT friendly. Not bad! I think my gut instincts about this place held up to be true.

Now it's my turn to shine, helping others protect their families and loved ones. This time, however, it will be as a woman. I want to reward my employer for their professionalism and dignity, one not afraid to hire a woman with a trans past. I will be striving to do my best everyday, making them and myself feel proud of their decision to hire me.

Has anyone else out there gone my same route, that of a professional salesperson? Did you continue with your same company post-op, or interview at a new firm?

I'm not in sales but just wanted to congratulate you, well done and go girl in your new job.

Stardust

Sales? No.  I'm in design and production and one of the few who's entire work history is that of a female.  I have to say, it took a lot of guts to go back to one of your former employers and I'm sorry for the discrimination you faced there.  Congrats and best of luck in your new position! :)

Congratulations, and good going on all the hard work you put in to get this far! I'll be interested to hear what differences you encounter in the work world now that you're presenting and living as a woman.

Congratulations Julie, and good luck!  :)
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(I'm currently inside sales, so I guess we'll see in a couple of years how it all pans out)

Landing a new job regardless of the gender situation is a great feeling, congratulations! 

Sorry, not a salesperson here, and the world is a better place because of it.  But, I can admire people that have those gifts.

I'm in banking, which is of course sales driven, and I transitioned with my employer. I definitely find that I am much better at my job and at the sales aspect of it since I transitioned. I am more confident, and of course my clients pick up on the confidence, which helps. I was fortunate that my employer is very LGBT friendly, and even though I work in Texas, I did not face any real discrimination, and was fortunate enough to be moved into management shortly after transitioning. More and more companies are getting it right when it comes to transition. As for sales, if your experience is anything like mine, I think you will find that life in a sales profession is much better post transition.

congrats julie on your new job! am sure you'll be performing even better than before :)

Thanks everyone for your nice words and support. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything works out with the final company approval. After that it's up to me to get the job done!

Good luck to everyone else making a change in their careers, or their gender within the same career!   

Congrats!

Quote from: juliekins on April 10, 2010, 11:42:23 AM


I was well received by this sales manager, and was invited back to a series of interviews. During the background investigation (since we sell securities and handle people's money), they turned up my old identity. I knew this might come up, and handled it as best I could. The sales manager seemed to handle this revelation with grace. I had already met the owner of this firm once, and he was not aware of my "past". I would be meeting him once more, the following week, with him now knowing the "full deal". This owner, BTW, is a conservative businessman who is revered in our industry.

How did they 'turn up' your previous identity? I imagine when you change your social insurance number it should change all your documentation? no?

I was in sales, retail sales, when I began transition.  But as the economy down-turned, I was let go.  I have been unemployed for 7 months now, but I am shooting for SSDI, because of my back.

Congratulations Juliekins.  ;D

Wow, congrats. No story of my own, but I admire the heck out of you.

Super big congrats, Julie! Hearing your story, I'd definitely support that firm!

Quote from: cassie09 on April 22, 2010, 06:35:11 PM
How did they 'turn up' your previous identity? I imagine when you change your social insurance number it should change all your documentation? no?

When you sell securities, the agency in charge is called FINRA. They have both your current, and former names on file. Also, my mortgage holder on the credit report showed both names at the same address as owners. I didn't want to try and say that the old name was not associated with me.

As an update, due to some circumstances out of my control and theirs, I won't be joining this open minded firm at this point. The mother company, who this firm represents, was too strict as far as their financial requirements.

This is okay, as I feel that I am being judged just like everyone else, and not in a prejudicial manner due to my gender.

The offer was extended to me to return once I could satisfy the Home Office's requirements later on. For now, I will plan on selling insurance as an independent agent for the foreseeable future.  I do have companies that I am already able to sell.

This has been a very good learning experience. The interviewing process taught me a lot, mostly that I can impress people just being me. The REAL me. I also learned that there are open minded, fair business people out there who are willing to act in a professional manner, and who respect me as a woman, albeit a transwoman.  :)