So my first in person interview as a woman, which was a week ago today, went well from a personal standpoint, but, professionally I didn't get the job... I didn't actually know what the position I was interviewing for was until I was being interviewed. Sales clerk for intimate apparels. I'm barely passable, if passable at all, and this is the midwest. I can't see some middle aged conservative woman buying bras and panties from me. So, it was kind of game over for the job at that point. Still. I did well in terms of presenting myself, and that's what was important to me.
Anyway. I have an interview next Tuesday with a different company. I dont have the vocal skills to go through with an phone interview. The rare times my voice "passes", its more to do with visual clues people get looking at me than the actual sound of my voice...
But, there's also a catch. They're already expecting to interview me as a boy. So I don't actually HAVE to try so pass on the phone. But, that actually is a big part of the problem. Their application strictly specified my LEGAL name, which is sadly still my boy name for now. But, they also had a box on the app for my preferred name, which I definitely filled in with my female name.
Sadly, in all of their correspondence with me via the phone they've refused to honor that preference. And, I'm really unsure of the best way to broach that topic with them. A cis friend of mine advised that it's perfectly valid to say in the interview something along the lines of "Just so you are aware I'm currently in the process of changing gender. Is this something that you foresee being a problem with your organization?"
That is pretty much to the point. They'll either tell me they're fine with it, or the interview will more or less end at that point. Saves a lot of hassle. But, I dunno. How to other folks in the trans* community handle these sort of situations? Is there a better way to approach the topic, especially in a phone interview?
Quote from: Missadventure on April 03, 2014, 10:33:20 PM
A cis friend of mine advised that it's perfectly valid to say in the interview something along the lines of "Just so you are aware I'm currently in the process of changing gender. Is this something that you foresee being a problem with your organization?"
I think you have a very good and wise friend.
I would be totally honest as this day and age honesty is best. A simple background check will show any inaccuracies and cost you any positions. From what I have read you have made it clear to potential employers you are truthful and honest. I feel this will go a long way in any decisions they make. Good luck on the interview! :)
I don't have the experience yet to cover transitioning and applying for a job.
However I have applied for plenty of jobs that I was woefully under qualified for and gotten the job with confidence. So should it come up then use the "will this be a problem" line. It's very good to turn the conversation around and put the interviewer on the spot. Be professional, confident, clean (even on the phone it's a mental thing), and polite.
It's also good advice for getting a date as a man asking a woman out... too bad that doesn't seem to work right anymore for me :D
Quote from: Missadventure on April 03, 2014, 10:33:20 PM
"Just so you are aware I'm currently in the process of changing gender. Is this something that you foresee being a problem with your organization?"
I asked the question of, "is my being trans going to be a problem?" when I first started looking for work after making the decision to transition and I regret asking the question because I continue to think asking it is like asking, "Are you a bigot?" Kind of gives the meeting the wrong tone, you know? Another reason is we're in the trenches when it comes to the problems and discrimination that trans people face. Whomever you're talking to may have never thought about it before or have any ideas in their head about creating a problem. Or they may not be the best person in the organization to speak on such matters and may feel a sudden ton of stress about, "OMG! What if I answer this wrong!?! Will HR fire ME!?!"
I would just explain matter of fact, "Oh, by the way my name is legally
X but I prefer and will be changing my name to
Y because it's more in line with my gender identity." Or whatever sounds right to you. You've done nothing wrong as transition is a normal, routine thing and I recommend treating it that way.
As for your voice, don't sweat it. I've called mine my superpower cause it allows me to ROCK the mic yet. Just let them see and hear someone that yes is going through transition, but comes off happy and confident about it.
Quote from: Misato on April 03, 2014, 11:25:57 PM
I asked the question of, "is my being trans going to be a problem?" when I first started looking for work after making the decision to transition and I regret asking the question because I continue to think asking it is like asking, "Are you a bigot?" Kind of gives the meeting the wrong tone, you know? Another reason is we're in the trenches when it comes to the problems and discrimination that trans people face. Whomever you're talking to may have never thought about it before or have any ideas in their head about creating a problem. Or they may not be the best person in the organization to speak on such matters and may feel a sudden ton of stress about, "OMG! What if I answer this wrong!?! Will HR fire ME!?!"
I would just explain matter of fact, "Oh, by the way my name is legally X but I prefer and will be changing my name to Y because it's more in line with my gender identity." Or whatever sounds right to you. You've done nothing wrong as transition is a normal, routine thing and I recommend treating it that way.
As for your voice, don't sweat it. I've called mine my superpower cause it allows me to ROCK the mic yet. Just let them see and hear someone that yes is going through transition, but comes off happy and confident about it.
You have a good point. I was thinking about that myself, but I wasn't really sure how to articulate it. Asking them if it'll be a problem puts them on the defensive, which is usually a bad thing to do in an interview. Although, I do have a friend who in an interview will always ask, point blank, "tell me why you wouldn't give me this job?" and, they've always gotten every job they've interviewed for. But.. I dunno. I'm not really an antagonistic person, so better to not have my first impression be one of an adversarial nature.
Quote from: Christine167 on April 03, 2014, 11:06:07 PM
It's also good advice for getting a date as a man asking a woman out... too bad that doesn't seem to work right anymore for me :D
It works as a woman too. And if you ask while batting your eyelashes and pursing your lips sometimes you can leave him tongue-tied. :)