Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Monday I've an interview to get a hotel receptionnist job. It's a five-star hotel, so I will obviously go to the interview in clothes I never wear - suede black pants that are ugly, black leather shoes that are too long (and ugly) and a shirt that you button. I will have my co-tenant help me with my hair too - I'm totally unable of doing anything acceptable with them as they are at that lenght where you can't dress them like long hair, but you can't just let them hang like short hair either.

I would really want to get this job, and as such, I will absolutely not come out to the employer OR try going to the interview presenting as female. They got my résumé with a male name anyway.

I would like to ask for your advice for this - I've never been good with interviews and I've had very few jobs... and kept none. I feel more confident than before, but I also feel I need preparation. I'm with an organism that helps me look for a job and they would have kindly given me an interview simulation, but I was called just last Thursday for it, and they are too busy to give me one this fast.

How do you think I should act at the interview ? Do you think I should try to "act male", try to change my voice and all ?

I have been studying a list of common interview questions and one my sister sent me, too. I'm pretty confused with some questions.

Do you think answering "alone" to "Do you prefer to work in teams or alone ?" will decrease my chances ? Should I "stretch the truth" ?

How should I answer to the vague question "How do you deal with stress ?"

"You are alone at the reception and the phone keeps ringing, while you have a line of clients waiting for you. What do you do ?" What do you think of my answer :
I put the phone on hold and ask for backup ; then I serve the customers.

"A client arrives with a reservation and there has been an error : their room has been given to someone else. What do you do ?" What do you think of my answer :
I offer the customer the hotel's apologies and place them in another room while giving them a discount or making their stay free if I am allowed to to so. I do not think moving the previous customer would be offering good service.

"You realize that 100$ are missing in your cash register and you think your colleague might have taken it. What do you do ?" What do you think of my answer :
I mention the fact to my superior immediately when I am sure the money actually is missing. I do not tell them about my suspicions unless I have a good reason to suspect my colleague.

Quote from: A on November 07, 2010, 11:16:05 AM
Monday I've an interview to get a hotel receptionnist job. It's a five-star hotel, so I will obviously go to the interview in clothes I never wear - suede black pants that are ugly, black leather shoes that are too long (and ugly) and a shirt that you button. I will have my co-tenant help me with my hair too - I'm totally unable of doing anything acceptable with them as they are at that lenght where you can't dress them like long hair, but you can't just let them hang like short hair either.

I would really want to get this job, and as such, I will absolutely not come out to the employer OR try going to the interview presenting as female. They got my résumé with a male name anyway.

I would like to ask for your advice for this - I've never been good with interviews and I've had very few jobs... and kept none. I feel more confident than before, but I also feel I need preparation. I'm with an organism that helps me look for a job and they would have kindly given me an interview simulation, but I was called just last Thursday for it, and they are too busy to give me one this fast.

How do you think I should act at the interview ? Do you think I should try to "act male", try to change my voice and all ?

I have been studying a list of common interview questions and one my sister sent me, too. I'm pretty confused with some questions.

Do you think answering "alone" to "Do you prefer to work in teams or alone ?" will decrease my chances ? Should I "stretch the truth" ?

How should I answer to the vague question "How do you deal with stress ?"

"You are alone at the reception and the phone keeps ringing, while you have a line of clients waiting for you. What do you do ?" What do you think of my answer :
I put the phone on hold and ask for backup ; then I serve the customers.

"A client arrives with a reservation and there has been an error : their room has been given to someone else. What do you do ?" What do you think of my answer :
I offer the customer the hotel's apologies and place them in another room while giving them a discount or making their stay free if I am allowed to to so. I do not think moving the previous customer would be offering good service.

"You realize that 100$ are missing in your cash register and you think your colleague might have taken it. What do you do ?" What do you think of my answer :
I mention the fact to my superior immediately when I am sure the money actually is missing. I do not tell them about my suspicions unless I have a good reason to suspect my colleague.

I can't speak for the first few issues but the questions:

1st one: Say you work equally good in both. You are independent but also enjoy getting the job done with a team. Companies want people who don't need help.

2nd one: Say something along the lines of, "First, I never panic or lose control of a situation. Secondly, I simply focus on what steps I need to take to achieve our goals."

3rd one: That's a good answer. The customers on the phone are "maybes" while the customers in person are guaranteed money. Help them in person and call for assistance sounds like a good plan.

4th one: Good answer, but do NOT mention "giving them a room for free". It's safe to say, "I will consult a manager about a discount if the customer is upset about another room." but under NO circumstances will a manager hand out a room.

5th one: Do not mention any suspicions at all. Simply inform your superior about the missing money and they will handle the situation. It's not your place to give any other details unless asked.

These might stretch the truth a bit, but I haven't met anyone who hasn't lied a little in an interview.

Quote from: A on November 07, 2010, 11:16:05 AM
I would really want to get this job, and as such, I will absolutely not come out to the employer OR try going to the interview presenting as female. They got my résumé with a male name anyway.

Are you able to do the interview convincingly as a male? Sound's like you're into trouble to me. The last few times I interviewed as female and found myself way more convincing and relaxed. And the employers had no problem with it even though my SSN is bio-sexed because of local laws.



Tippe

Quote from: Tippe on November 07, 2010, 01:11:40 PM
SSN is bio-sexed because of local laws.



Tippe

SSN is federal and not subject to state law. Try again.

Well, I'm not on hormones and I've never presented as female anyway --not that I did not want to. And I only own male clothes. And one must take into account that I do not live in a place known for its open minds...

Quote from: LordKAT on November 07, 2010, 01:40:33 PM
SSN is federal and not subject to state law. Try again.

I live in Denmark... we are famous for our bio-sexed SSN's. See page 3 in this recent UN appeal: http://www.lgbt.dk/uploads/media/UPR_Denmark_2011_LGBT.pdf (http://www.lgbt.dk/uploads/media/UPR_Denmark_2011_LGBT.pdf)
By mistake we wrote that it is coded by gender, but actually it is coded by bio-sex and it is not possible to change it prior to genital surgery!



Tippe

Apologies. I saw SSN and thought USA. Thank you for ending a small piece of my ignorance.

Apologies to A. Back to the subject which I disrupted.

I think you should go as male until or unless you are prepared to deal with the whole coming out bit as it takes practice to deal with many issues which you will find yourself facing.

A While it is understandabl that yiu really want the job, you go there, make sure you're clean and tidy, present yourself as if you're talking to your most valuable and important customer and look at whoever is speaking to you.

I would think the only real test they might try is a sort of good cop, bad cop routine, where one might talk to to sharply even rude, while the other is really nice, a bit too nice even.

You need to address each the same way.

Don't smoke, even if they offer. Don't accept refreshment. Don't cross your legs. Keep your hands infront.

If you get it great. If you don't, go for the next one. There's a lot after every job. You won't win them all.

The interview is tomorrow and I'm kind of stressing... Any other tips, other than "do not stress" ?

Quote from: spacial on November 07, 2010, 02:35:53 PM
If you get it great. If you don't, go for the next one. There's a lot after every job. You won't win them all.

Spacial has it right. Just don't stress because there are hundreds of thousands of jobs in the world and interviewers don't call other interviewers to find out how you did. So just try not to stress. All the advice so far is great. It's all about saying you are flexible from my experience. Most employer's love to hear that you can do a job on your own but also are enthusiastic about team work. Good luck on your interview!

The following is purely from what I've read and or been taught, as my actual personal interviewing experience is limited. Actually I got an interview myself on Tuesday! :o

Quote from: A on November 07, 2010, 11:16:05 AM
How do you think I should act at the interview ? Do you think I should try to "act male", try to change my voice and all ?

Just act normally. That way, you'll be more comfortable, and hence project more confidence which is important.

Quote
Do you think answering "alone" to "Do you prefer to work in teams or alone ?" will decrease my chances ? Should I "stretch the truth" ?

No no no. The correct answer is always something along the line "I work well as part of a team, but I can also work on my own with minimal or no supervision."

Quote
"A client arrives with a reservation and there has been an error : their room has been given to someone else. What do you do ?" What do you think of my answer :
I offer the customer the hotel's apologies and place them in another room while giving them a discount or making their stay free if I am allowed to to so. I do not think moving the previous customer would be offering good service.

"Apologies and if the hotel have specific policy for handling such situation, follow it." If asked to come up with your own response, then placing them in another room and consulting with a manager about offering a discount if and only if they complain is a good response IMO. You'll also have to answer the follow up question of "what if there's no suitable room left?".

Quote from: A on November 07, 2010, 06:36:37 PM
The interview is tomorrow and I'm kind of stressing... Any other tips, other than "do not stress" ?

A bit of stress is good.It shows you're keen, intersted and want the job. You're not arrogant or over confident. You're normal.

I always think the worst question they always ask is, why do you want to work here?

Might be an idea to have a tiny bit of background information on the company and the specific site. Get it from the net.

Just remmbered another tip, but it's not for everyone or every situation.

A number of years ago, someone was at an interview. They felt the interview went well. Then at the end, the interviewer asked if they had any questions. So, this guy says, with a straight face, 'Yes, when can I start?'

Now, as I said, it's not something that can be used in every case, but if you think you can pull it off, it might swing things for you. Shows you're keen and really want the job.

Hello A...

Get yourself a http://www.scribd.com/ (http://www.scribd.com/) account quick....

Then seek out documents like 'Winning the Interview Game'

(simples)

Winning At Interviews (http://www.scribd.com/doc/4388467/Winning-At-Interviews-#)

Then print it off.....read it tonite....

And tomorrow go get that job!

Good luck

Auntie C