Hi, all.
Has anyone else struggled with finding employment for over a year? I didn't get the position with the police that I'd hoped to get. I'm struggling to even get interviews. I went to a staffing firm. I know that legally on paperwork you have to use your legal name. I don't go by my legal name but can't change it yet because the process in MO is psychotic. I informed the interviewer of the name I go by. They asked me directly if I'm trans. I was very uncomfortable but answered truthfully. Her demeanor changed entirely. Like, night and day. She went from happy, optimistic, "oh, yeah we have several openings you should fit well in" to snippy, cold, "well, you've got a bit of a gap in your employment history that I don't know if we can explain." I was not thrilled. I wasn't surprised but I was far from pleased. If I'd asked to work with a different recruiter I'd have been asked for a reason and would've potentially looked unprofessional. She hasn't contacted me back (shocker). I've encountered a couple of people who've been problematic during my job search.
I wish I could move somewhere where it was easier to change my name but that requires money which requires a job.
I'm not having much luck with my job search and my bills are falling way behind. I've been on T long enough that my voice is dropping and I'm passing at least 90% of the time as male. I can't just not say anything. Does anyone have any advice? I should've anticipated this issue but I didn't. I can do freelance work to pay most of my bills that doesn't exactly come with insurance and I've been a bit short.