Im so angry right now! I fill out all these job applications and attend job fairs but nothing ever works. I just went to a job fair where everyone loved me and I got offered two jobs, after I picked the one I wanted I call back and they face it to someone else! I pass all the time but my name still isn't changed and it leads to confusion and lots of turn downs from job companies. I don't know what to do as bill time is coming and my T cream is about half way done. I hate looking for jobs with my female name and I look male.  Nobody wants me....then to top it off my marriage is over and done cause of my changes. Im Reagan hating things right now....

I am sorry to hear you are having difficulties.

I bet it is all even harder to deal with given your relationship situation.

Is the name change process where ever you live very cost prohibitive, especially given financial concerns for you at the moment? It may take awhile to process, but what about fee waivers assuming you qualify? Better to wait for the approval than do nothing at all.

In the meantime, take a deep breath and try to find the first step you can take towards doing something, anything at all, to help your situation. Consider how you present yourself at interviews and the clothes you wear, edit your resume, tailor cover letters for each job you apply for - etc etc.

There are always temp agencies. The employment agency screens you and then they look for jobs for you. It could take away some of the name confusion when they are doing the work to get you the job.

I have one suggestion which should be able to help depending on your situation.

Write your name on resumes and applications as your preferred name. Employers can't do background checks unless you give them permission to and it usually requires a job offer to do the background check (or is somewhere after the interview process). Don't bring up being trans at the interview. If you get a call back after and they say they want to hire you or have a second round of interviews or questions, that's when you can say you're trans. It lets them know who you are initially without any of the "drama" about being trans. If an application asks for previous names, write your legal name down. Most of the ones I've seen don't have this.

Here's a list of companies with trans friendly policies you could try to apply online to a few of these stores. It's also a good idea to start an account on a few different job/professional related websites. LinkedIn, monster, career builder, etc all have a lot of jobs available. One LAST option is to go to your unemployment office, or town office. I know that where I am we have a job works program. Basically there's a few big binders filled with positions that are available, starting pay, number of hours, etc. They also give courses on how to improve your resume for free.

Quote from: Nygeel on June 25, 2013, 07:53:14 PM
Here's a list of companies with trans friendly policies you could try to apply online to a few of these stores.

That list is super handy.  I can verify that Macy's and Target are pretty trans-friendly since I have experience with both of those places.  Also, they are both usually looking for new employees all the time.

It sounds like you really need to look into getting your name changed as that seems to be your barrier. Getting a job is hard enough but having to explain trans issues in advance; employers will more often than not be put off.

At least you're legally allowed to apply everywhere. I can't change my name until I get a permit and then I can finally actually apply for jobs. So you got a one up on me at this moment, brother!

I suggest you look into name change ASAP. Give yourself more of an edge when going for employment.

Just a thought, maybe someone could elaborate or say if it would/wouldn't work.

How about just using initials on job apps? Then if they ask just say you go by/use your initials on all your documents/bank statements so that is the name you put down.

I dunno, just a thought to maybe help you get your foot in the door. Then again depending on what State you live in it won't matter regardless. Like my State (NC) some are "no fault" and can fire you for any reason without telling you why. All they have to say is it isn't working out. I would see what all it takes to get your name changed in your area and work towards that while trying to find work.

Thanks guys for the replys! Changing my name costs about $500 where I live and with no income that's going to be impossible. I have a target by me and will definatly try there thanks man! And Also thank you for the list it is really helpful. I used to work at T.J. Maxx, that is where I came out and they have a very good supportive enviroment. They even have specific policies to protect us when it comes to using restrooms and such. I was 1 month on T when they fired me and been on unemployment until this month. I won't give up I know I can get a job and will put up a fight to get one

job and education for transgender is ->-bleeped-<- in general. I mean yeah sure many transgender have jobs and education, But many also end up in prostitution and wellfare simple for being trans*. It not only transgenders its in general a problem how the sociaty often jugde people abit to much on a paper insteed of looking at the actual person.

If I should give an advice, being without paied job for about a year, I think if you know some contacts of your friends or others try using them. Right now I am doing turism to get my wellfair paid untill I start my education, Since my boss work with diffrent groups she can recomend me afterward to diffrent places where I could get a job, Its often easyer getting jobs like that than to send job aplications.

She also knows my history and she know she is just suposed to say "he" and not "she" even when I am female on my ID when she talks about me at other workplaces. I also joined some writting team for aplications where I got an apication who fitted me. The one I had before where horrible with big letter it said FEMALE and then there where almost nothing on it cause it was made on a pager who said that you should not writte about anything who had something to do with religion or political view, and since pretty much all my work been free paid and mostly political it was pretty imposible to fullfile..

Sure.. its still hard getting job due to the economic crise which in many countrys.
and Sure I still has to out myself at one point or another cause its imposible to get into anywhere without them knowing my ID, But its better you see them face to face and can explain the situation than they just rejejct you on paper.

I general had problems with educations who rejected me for being transgender but when they meet me they knew that I wasnt very much diffrent from anybody ells so I got the permission anyway.

Good luck.

I am having a tough time finding a full time job as well ... tough economy.

However, you can have the cost of your name change waived ... it's call informus papurus or fee waiver ... my son did it while in college ...

I'm having a hard time with finding a job too even tho my name has already been changed. I did manage to get one at a pizza shop just the other day and my first shift is tonight. Its mostly deliveries, which is a bit scary. I hope no one kills me!

I feel sorry for you because it can also be really embarrassing to put your legal name down But I agree with what everyone else has said. Good luck! I hope you find a job soon.

I second Simon's suggestion of initials.  You're not lying legally and it will get your foot in the door.  I've been there with the no job thing and it SUCKS.  Best of luck!

I had a really hard time finding a job when I was going for a more feminine kind of presentation. At that time, I would fill out application after application to no response again and again. I find this anxiety-provoking. Now that I've been wearing men's clothes consistantly there were issues with how I would apply. I don't have any dress wear really. I really don't even care about this stuff other than I'm financially in the hole and I could use something to do with my time. I started getting interviews then I found one and they were tolerant of my presentation and even let me wear shorts. But I think it was actually a set-up and I was fired for other reasons. I know I've seen co-workers in mid- transition work there. Like I said I'm pretty sure it was for other reasons but getting fired is just that. Maybe better luck somewhere else? Annoying!

Quote from: Tadpole on July 15, 2013, 10:33:08 PM
I had a really hard time finding a job when I was going for a more feminine kind of presentation. At that time, I would fill out application after application to no response again and again. I find this anxiety-provoking. Now that I've been wearing men's clothes consistantly there were issues with how I would apply. I don't have any dress wear really. I really don't even care about this stuff other than I'm financially in the hole and I could use something to do with my time. I started getting interviews then I found one and they were tolerant of my presentation and even let me wear shorts. But I think it was actually a set-up and I was fired for other reasons. I know I've seen co-workers in mid- transition work there. Like I said I'm pretty sure it was for other reasons but getting fired is just that. Maybe better luck somewhere else? Annoying!

It is really annoying and I feel ya man. I still haven't got a job and applied to over 10 different places. I have nice dress shirts and slacks and I keep myself looking sharp. I just need the name change cause other than that I pass 100 percent of the time. But to get that name change I need money and without a job that's really difficult. I really hope the best for you man andthem firing you does sound really fishy. If you could prove that they fired you for that reason I would take it to a higher level person and let them know you were discriminated.

It's not right that there are people out there that want to work, but can't and people out there working and treating their customers horribly. Go by all the rules and it's still not good enough for some employers. Regarding why I got fired, I have strong suspicions that it is for a reason completely separate from my gender identity, but it's still a set-up and disgraceful.
Sometimes it's not that bad an idea to take a break from applications. Or maybe try in a different city if possible.  Seeing a bunch of now-hiring signs around is generally a positive sign though. When I got denied there weren't many places out there with now-hiring signs. All of a sudden a lot of places in my area started hiring, so I wasn't applying to as many places that weren't hiring or places that had turned me down before.