Hey guys. Do you have any tips or advice on how to apply for a job pre-name change? I've been on T for 4 months and I mean, I passed as male before T but now, getting a job how do I go about this? I don't feel awkward bringing up my trans-ness but I just want this to go smoothly. :)
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In my experience, if a job application asks specifications for my legal name ( I haven't changed it yet, procrastination) then I use my birth name. If it doesn't, then I use my chosen name.
Last year I worked for a car dealership, and when I applied and interviewed I was known only as my chosen name (I was only about 5 months ish on T). I was hired, and when filing out the paperwork in the HR department I made sure and told the lady in charge of HR that my legal name was different, as they need to take copies of your photo ID and stuff. Never once did the word "transgender" come out of my mouth and no one asked questions. My coworkers didn't know, my boss didn't, nothing. It's not their business.
Recently I had a job interview at Dicks sporting goods, and since their application requested legal name, the manager who interviewed me initially referred to me as such. I just politely told him that that was my legal name, but I went by (insert name here). That was it and he was respectful about it.
on my resume before i had my legal name change, i put the first initial of my birth name then my "chosen" name at the time then my last name. no one questioned it and most job applications allow you to put both legal/preferred but i live in canada, so it seems more common i think.
It depends on the application and the position. A lot of applications have a slot for preferred names now. If it does, I'd use it. If they ask, you can say that's just what you go by.
If there is any kind of background or credit check, you will need to provide your legal name. If there isn't, you can write what you go by. If they need to verify anything (like when you fill out an I-9 or tax paperwork), just let them know that your legal name is different than what you go by.
In the US for most jobs your going to need to supply proof of employment eligibility eventually too. If your birth certificate, passport, SSN Card, Green Card, etc. still has the old name it's not going to stay secret.
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