We all read and hear about more than a few negative tales related to transitioning, so I'd like to share a positive one.
I started HRT a little over 3 years ago, and had my SRS just a little less than 1 year ago. After my SRS and all legal, document, and ID changes that come along with it, I was let go by my employer. Why? Simply for being trans. Although... that's not what their legal dept. said... that was the true reason. So I had no job, little savings, and was still recovering from my SRS. Once fully recovered, I started looking for work. The first place that gave me an interview hired me. Pretty good. Even though the new job paid a lot less and was nowhere near the same level as the one I left, it paid the bills. Furthermore no one there knew me as anything other than female. Definite bonus. I was just a regular girl working there. Zero trans-related stigma. Kewl.
I did keep looking for a better job, and applying to everything that might look like a possible opening. I was real close to landing a better job a few weeks ago... the company even flew me up to the corporate office for a third interview, put me up in a nice hotel, and paid for all of my expenses. I didn't get the job. Why? Who knows? They said it was down to me and one other person. I thought maybe that they saw me for something other than a regular female. Especially since they video taped the third interview to review later. They said they do it for all final interview candidates. Creepy. That third interview was a long one with a really detailed (and anal... and not the good kind of anal) female who I knew didn't like me from the first answer I gave to her first question. The first two male interviewers before her, loved me though, as I wouldn't have made it to the third final interview.
Anyway... my search continued and just last week I went through another long, arduous, pain the butt, 3 interview process with another company... but I nailed this one. I was offered a new job and at a salary more than I was making as a male at my old original job. Score. Morale: Don't give up, never sell yourself short, be confident, don't doubt yourself and keep fighting. Transition is hard, but life can be harder and a lot more disappointing at times.
