Ok...this is kinda scarey. Not that I'm scared of the event itself but I'm scared of making the wrong decision.

I've posted in another thread here that I applied to Lowe's, based mostly on Janet's having told me they are T friendly.

On the application, it provided a place which specified "legal name" and i gave it then under that it said "preferred name" and i entered "Laura"

I got a call this afternoon for an interview in the morning and I've decided that (given my nails and such being a pretty big clue) i will go in presenting (in a low key fashion) as female.

I'm gambling here that I wil gain more points for openness and honesty than I will lose by being a (supposed) potential source of drama.

Of course I realize there might be dozen legitimate reasons not to hire me, and that it would be all too easy to invoke one of those and insist being trans had nothing to do with it.

Oh well.

I may be a fool, but I'm going to approach this with my integrity intact, and hopefully that will count for something.

those of you who pray - think of me!

I will definitely be thinking of you. I happen to know that home depot is not so...friendly.  good luck and all that jazz.

good luck the bonus is if they hire you as laura then thats one major hurdle you will not have to overcome at a later date.
jessica

Good luck! I hope it works out for you!

I'll send all the postive energy I have! I hope it goes well!! Good luck!!

They are Trans-friendly, but we are talking about people.  I am hoping you get the position.

Good luck Laura

I've got my fingers crossed for you, Laura.

I agree with the decision to go as you - as important as getting a job is, it's only really good if you are the one getting it. Remember there are many reasons not to get the job that have nothing to do either with gender or gender identity. Good luck Laura.

Susan Kay

well, the HR lady seemed friendly and didn't show any signs of being put off by my status. Turns out though that it was a seasonal job which only lasted two weeks past the census job (and at much lower pay) so we agreed I'd pas on this one but she strongly encouraged me to keep watching the site for new postings of permanent jobs.

Even so - it was a very positive experience just to go in an face the fear and have one such interview behind me - I'll have even more confidence next time.

I'm glad it was a good experience. You are right in that each experience teaches how to deal with the next and give confidence in doing it. I hope it works well when you do find that full time job you're searching for.

i didn't know Lowe's was tfriendly, that's very good to know! i feel the same way applying for jobs, like.. do i mark my gender as female? should i put my preferred name? it's all so complicated when it seems like it would be easy. i had an interview at mcdonalds (not really a fan of their food but desperately need a job!) and the lady was nice but i'm pretty sure i blew it with my crazy nervousness. i was all fidgity and said the wrong things, *sigh* oh well.. i'll give it another day of waiting by the phone before I cal that one out.

wish you the best of luck on your job! =)

Laura, many times if you've interviewed somewhere and it's seasonal or you decide to decline for the time being you many times have a better chance of being hired later on. It's good she was accepting, impressed with you and encouraged you to keep an eye on a permanent position. Well done.

Pull up the HRC list of compliant employees and start sending out aps/resumes.

Good on you for being yourself and great to know she was nice about it.
Good luck !

Well I think I'll post here, don't want to make a new thread when this one stole my title! .

I applied online to Best Buy and I got a call today and did this mini on the phone interview. On Wednesday I'll be going in person to see a manager for an interview. I haven't legally changed my name yet (need money, hence the job ), on the application I put my name as B. Katelyn for my first name, the B. is the initial for my male name, so I'm not lying, right? . They're going to find out since I'll have to eventually give them my SIN (like SSN in the USA).

Should I wait to see if they ask me about my name? Or bring it up myself? What exactly would I say if I wanted to bring it up? Should I just say Katelyn is the name I go by and that it isn't my legal name, not mention anything about being transgender if I don't have too? Not that I'm ashamed or anything, but I'd like to be stealth as possible if I can manage it. Or just be completely upfront about it, to avoid any confusion/misunderstanding?

I think I would try to just tell them that it is the name I prefer to be called unless specifically asked.  Others may have other advice.

I agree with LordKAT. Just tell them that's the name you like to go by. Many non-transsexual people do that. I've known of people who will even use a different name they don't even go by on their name tags. Some women employees do it because some creepy customer keeps harassing them and they don't want him knowing their real name.

Edit:
I just looked it up and Best Buy is a transgender friendly company.

So I went to the interview, did alright I think, not amazing though. Was actually the first job interview I've ever had, all my prior work experience is just lots of volunteering, so I think I did pretty good considering that . I'll get a call for a second interview if they are interested. I didn't say anything about being trans, my name didn't come up either. I passed fine as far as I could tell too. It was a Best Buy career fair or something at a hotel so the interview was pretty quick, if I get a second interview I'd probably have to disclose my status then. I don't think I have enough experience to get a job with all the people applying (they are opening a new store, they said like 1500 people have applied), but we'll see.

I got another call for an interview today for a different job, so I'm happy . It's a mini-golf place.

Grats on making it through and finding that you didn't need to have so much anxiety over it. First interviews can be that way without the added stress of trans issues.  Mini golf place sounds ok. I would assume it is summer work only.