Ask a trans person!

[Dylan]

Originally Posted by Jet

I'm typing from my blackberry
Until I get my computer back.

Question...

I am a contract designer looking to go full time. Since
I.M starting T now I want apply at And be accepted at companies with diversity policies. I'm thinking of submitting

My resume
Portfolio
Summary of experience
And....
A letter to HR addressing my transition under the company
Diversity policy.

Should I include the letter at the. onset of applying?

What bathroom do I use?

Etc.

Don't think that just because a company has a diversity policy, they actually *believe* what's IN the policy.

I have interviewed at NUMEROUS companies that have gender identity included in their diversity policies.

I've found, it doesn't matter what the companies' attorneys/HR people have written into their policies to make the company look good and to avoid lawsuits, if your interviewer is ignorant, you're still not going to get a job. And ignorant doesn't have to mean bigoted...when people are afraid of looking stupid or saying the wrong thing, they still won't hire you...no matter how liberal they *feel*.

Personally, I wouldn't say a word about trans issues until WELL into the interview process. If you're read as male at the interview, I wouldn't say a word until someone else brings it up.

But that's just me.


Dylan...would use the men's room

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Dylan

Don't think that just because a company has a diversity policy, they actually *believe* what's IN the policy.

I have interviewed at NUMEROUS companies that have gender identity included in their diversity policies.

I've found, it doesn't matter what the companies' attorneys/HR people have written into their policies to make the company look good and to avoid lawsuits, if your interviewer is ignorant, you're still not going to get a job. And ignorant doesn't have to mean bigoted...when people are afraid of looking stupid or saying the wrong thing, they still won't hire you...no matter how liberal they *feel*.

Personally, I wouldn't say a word about trans issues until WELL into the interview process. If you're read as male at the interview, I wouldn't say a word until someone else brings it up.

But that's just me.


Dylan...would use the men's room

I agree with everything Dylan says.

I have had to bring it up mainly because I've been trying to get back into a company i use to work for, so they have to have my old name. I leave it til the end so that hopefully i've already made some type of impression that can out way the other. I use the mens bathroom and I use the name I wish to be addressed by on my resume. Only give out my legal name when it needs to be. Since my name isn't legally changed yet it does need to be.

I do have the advantage that the past two jobs i've worked for they do know me as koop and they are smaller companies so i can be addressed by my chosen name and they'll know who is being asked about.

I feel like the less I make an issue of it the less it will be an issue. Doesn't mean it couldn't be, but sometimes things become a bigger deal when I make them one.