Today I went to a first interview for an IT non Vendor company, a large well known brand name here... It was a management role. I got good positive feedback at the end of the interview, so fingers X'd.

Downside, as I have been out of work (half by choice) for nearly a year, I decided to go as I was, before the break, in male form and decided at this point that the following is probably the right path... 1) Get the job (lots of $$$) 2) Get past probationary periods (applies to everyone) 3) Broach Transition later in the year. The company has a strict policy on Harassment and Discrimination based on Gender and Ethnicity, they have a drive for more female management across the board.

I did loose many nights sleep on how I would apply and present, but as I had no record or paperwork on who I want to be, I decided to opt for Financial Stability, use the time to get things done that need money, within the limits of what I can do prior to transitioning....

So whilst I was disappointed in holding back on me, I believe (I hope) I have chosen the right approach, especially given the positivity of the first interview... I was even coached on what to expect in the second and where I should concentrate on making it bullet proof...

Happy but not in a slight setback in this years plans, which was always going to happen after a long promised role disappeared in a company split in mid February!

That's life, been waiting all these years, just a few months longer won't kill me 


L Katy 

I hope all goes well and you do get the job Katy.  Financial security is something that can't be ignored in these difficult times and if having a good well paying job ensures your ability to maintain progress with your transition in the future then it's win all the way.

Thanks 

Lots of things crossed for it....

L Katy

My demi-girl daughter studied computer science at university and according to her there are quite a few TG women working in the IT and software development sectors.

Just an encouraging thought I wanted to share 

>>>Hug<<< you right back

Anne

Its been a good industry and has a tolerance to "trans" people, of late, depending who and where...
I have a good and close friend who transitioned about 12 or so years ago, I knew her on the cusp and since she has been a good strength for me...
I also met a senior exec at a global software company who transitioned successfully, and retained her position and advanced it, but you have to have a solid recent referenciable success rate, so this time, get the wins, then make it hard to say no... well that's the plan

Today IT is hard and has become so commoditised, especially since 2000, and as such you're either key and well paid, or just a resource... I fell into the latter after giving up on management and going semi technical...after that decision and on the transitioning path I kept hitting walls, and retreating into a "safety zone" well shell actually, I wish I'd followed my friend... but now I am past the point, so know its plan, group and confront head on, big bang approach.

Thanks for your encouragement, appreciated 

L Katy

Good luck and I hope all goes well and that you get the job. Hugs
Mariah

Thanks Mariah 
Hope so too...

L Katy

Quote from: Lady Smith on April 08, 2015, 06:06:50 AM
My demi-girl daughter studied computer science at university and according to her there are quite a few TG women working in the IT and software development sectors.

Yes, IT is full of trans people. However, like most fields IT tends to be male dominated and you have to navigate your way through that; a combination of being nice and charming and when the situation calls for it having an attitude that you won't be a floor mat helps the boys understand.

Quote from: katrinaw on April 08, 2015, 06:17:54 AM
Today IT is hard and has become so commoditised, especially since 2000, and as such you're either key and well paid, or just a resource... I fell into the latter after giving up on management and going semi technical...after that decision and on the transitioning path I kept hitting walls, and retreating into a "safety zone" well shell actually, I wish I'd followed my friend... but now I am past the point, so know its plan, group and confront head on, big bang approach.

I have found what you said to be true in very large IT organizations - they want the youngest people with the latest skills at rock bottom wages and don't mind going offshore to cut costs. I am too old and I don't have the very latest cutting edge skills that they want, and the days of working for peanuts are long gone for me. They are ruthless about cutting people and you are just a "resource" to be "managed". Because of these factors I removed large IT shops from my list of possible places to work long ago.

I hope this 2nd interview goes extremely well for you!  In the future you might want to consider trying a smaller IT shop. I work for a company that employs about 50 people and they value my years of experience/depth of knowledge on the computer systems that they use, and my age is not an issue either (i'm 52 - not a spring chicken). There are actually quite a few people my age working there; the head technical guy is well into his 60's.

The company was awesome when I transitioned too.

Katy, congrats for the first interview and all the best for the next one. 
I think your approach to this job and to transitioning is very pragmatic, and I hope it all works out well.

Hoping for the best!! We all need to win sometime!

So true Eve Marie, hence why I moved from the IT shops, age is a problem, but I did manage keeping up to date, certainly the "leading" IT/Vendors go through hire and purge cycles oh so frequently.... It is about cost to deliver, but its also short term gains for the shareholders (primary ones that is)... This role is in IT but away from Vendor land... Thanks for the wishes 

Thanks Cindy, keeping my fingers and toes crossed... It was a case of need and when I was filling in the application I did, strongly, consider all options... 

Thanks Beth... We sure do, been out far too long (11 months) but must admit I have enjoyed the break, regardless of funding issues 

L Katy