Applying for jobs can be stressful for anyone, but especially searching as a trans candidate. Often times the additional stress regarding how we will be perceived, evaluated, and treated, can really create a layer of complexity that cisgender people typically do not have to encounter.
Tips For Trans Job Seekers
Scroll down to learn about ways to handle trans-related obstacles when navigating the job search.
Trans Job Seeker Tips
Job Search Obstacles
Is the Company Trans Friendly?
If the company employees 15 or fewer people, then transgender workers are not legally protected from discrimination.
"If you have 15 to 19 employees: You are covered by the laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, disability and genetic information (including family medical history)."
-Source
Do your research!
Check the company's website, social media, local community interaction, and Diversity & Inclusion policy.
Pay attention!
Checking out the company's benefits, health insurance plans, and company reviews from other employees on places such as ZipRecruiter, Indeed, CareerBuilder, Google, and Yelp.
Are they a diverse group?
Make a trip to the company campus, look around, visit and chat about the workplace environment. Are there multiple different demographics represented to make up a diverse workplace? This is easy to see, once you're there in person.
Resume & Cover Letter Tips
What About Pronouns
Do you have to apply with your legal name?
It is not illegal to apply with the name you go by. However, if hired you’ll need to use the legal name on all onboarding paperwork.
Use the pronouns that best fit you, from the beginning.
You can use your preferred name and pronouns in your cover letter.
Using the pronouns that best fit you in your cover letter tells the company what to expect right away. This helps eliminate those employers who would be descriminatory.
LBGTQ Rights in the Workplace
Outing yourself during the interview opens the door to discussing LGBTQ rights in the workplace. Which can aid in making the decision as to whether the company is right for you. It's good to note not everyone will feel comfortable to apply as an "out" transgender or LGBQ person.
WHAT IF I DECIDE NOT TO TELL?
To Tell or Not To Tell
Some may choose to wait until it's time to sign the paperwork, which means only HR will know you’re trans. If you don’t plan on coming out to everyone at work, this may be the best option.
Keeping your transgender status undisclosed (also called "stealth") at work also gives you plenty of time to decide when or if you should come out. There is no right time to come out. Waiting days, months, years, or even never coming out at all, it's completely your decision.
Trans Job Seeker Webinar Event
The TMN Team gave an educational webinar for transgender job seekers called "Finding & Getting The Job". We are happy to present the video recording of that event for your career seeking guidance. We wish you the best in your job hunt!
If you’ve been looking for and applying to jobs all over the place, but just can’t seem to nail one down, you seriously need to check out the FREE RRR Learning Units!
RRR Learning Units
Currently, there are five units:
Unit 1: Work From Home Job Search Tips
UNIT TOPICS:
Using Indeed to Find Jobs in Often “EXCLUDED STATES” (CA, NY, MA, etc.)
Is Your Social Media Presence Hurting (or Helping) Your Job Chances?
Tips! Think Outside of the “Phone Job” Box – Beyond Customer Service Jobs
VIDEO: How to Find Overnight Jobs on Indeed.com
Remove the Words ONLY and JUST from the Way You Think About Your Work History — and Watch Good Things Happen!
UNIT TOPICS:
Your Work From Home Resume: Explaining “Illness Gaps”
Your Work from Home Resume: Explaining “Parenting Gaps”
Your Work from Home Resume: Explaining “Caregiver Gaps”
How to Include Rideshare Work on Your Resume
87 Soft Skills: The Big List 185 Action Verbs That’ll Make Your Resume Awesome
ATS-Friendly Resume Templates
3 Ways To Beat The Machines That Judge Your Résumé When You Apply Online
Unit 3: Cover Letter Tips, Pointers & Resources
UNIT TOPICS:
Work from Home Jobs – 7 Tips for Writing a Great Cover Letter (And Why You Should!)
Using Your Cover Letter to Help Explain Parenting Gaps in Your Work History
How to Write a Cover Letter (250+ FREE Templates)
Jobscan’s Guide to Writing an Effective Cover Letter
Unit 4: Tough Interview Questions & How to Answer Them
UNIT TOPICS:
Tough Interview Question
1: How would you describe yourself in one word?
Tough Interview Question
2: Why should we hire you?
Tough Interview Question
3: How do you handle stress?
Tough Interview Question
4: Why do you want to work for our company?
Unit 5: Landing The Interview & The Job
UNIT TOPICS:
Help! I Didn’t Hear Back About a Job I Applied or Interviewed For – What’s Up With That?!