Not sure if this should go here but I am going to wing it! I am pre everything (but thanks to PCOS I have a little facial hair) and I like to go by Lee but my birth name is on all my identification. I am going to change it but I have to live in my county for a year before I am allowed to so I must wait till the end of may unfortunately. Is it OK to put Lee on my resume when I am applying for jobs even though it isn't my legal name yet?


I hate the look on the their faces when I walk in and they are waiting for someone named Lisa and even more the look of shock when I say yes that is me. 

You can usually put the name you use and the legal name by using quotes or simply writing, "Call me Lee." near the place for your name on an application. Your resume can have your preferred name on its own but may cause questions when you have to fill out legal documents. By putting both, you won't raise questions as many use a nickname. My sis is often called Lee by family, but Lisa is her legal name.

My name change won't be official for another month or so, but my resume has me listed as Max. The only person that needs to know my current legal name at a potential new job will be HR or whoever is in charge of coordinating background checks.

i put my preferred name then my first initial of my birth name. so say my birth name was Stephanie, i'd put S. Bob Smith. i did this when i got my current job and they just asked what the first initial stood for. i explained i was trans and that i was in the process of getting my name change. they said it wasn't an issue. when i had my job interview, no one knew. the only one who knew was HR (AFTER i was hired) and the guy who gave me my interview when i had to fill out the paper work for accepting the position. even on the paper work i put both names. my job has been great about keeping my birth name a secret but now my name is changed, so it doesn't matter anymore. my name tag said my now legal name, male pronouns were used, etc. there was no issues with anything and i'm completely stealth at work.

i believe the only time you need to let them know is when you get hired for paper work reasons, etc. and if you're stealth, i'd explain upfront that i am stealth, this is the name i go by, these are the pronouns i use. if you're in an LGBT friendly country/applying for a job that has anti discrimination laws, you shouldn't have an issue (at least i hope not).

If you get the job you are probably still going to have to provide proof of identity, like birth certificate. But for the initial interview it probably won't matter.