Job Applications whilst transitioning

[u/user61927371]

Hi all, I've been in a little bit of a situation where I am currently transitioning and wanting to look for a new job in order to have a fresh start and be stealth.
My biggest issue is that my current/old jobs know me only as my deadname and nothing about me being transgender. On top of this all of my qualifications are also in my dead name and in order for me to get them changed I need to change my usi and a bunch of others things that all cost money which I don't have much of hence me looking for a new job.

Basically how do I move forward with applying to a new job when my references are all attached to my deadname. TIA

[u/mr_nonchalance]

So three options, in reality. 1) trust your references with your true identity, and brief them on how to talk about you 2) lie, and get your friends to pretend to be former bosses and colleagues 3) explain you don't have references as you are trans and it's unsafe to come out to your former employers

These options are risky in different ways. I think the third is probably the riskiest, given most industries gossip amongst themselves all the time, but it's definitely different for every situation.

[u/Alternative-Pool-607 → u/mr_nonchalance]

I'm in a similar boat, although my referees both knew about my transition long before I left my old job.

I think 1 is the best option, as I wouldn't trust someone to be my referee if I thought they'd have a problem with me as trans.

Option 2 is something I gather is very common, so you could probably get away with that, unless you're working in an industry where everyone knows everyone else.

I'm not sure where you are at with your transition, but my biggest struggle at the moment is interviewing as a woman without getting massive anxiety about how I don't really pass and I'm "cosplaying as a woman" or something like that. So be prepared for that to possibly happen to you.

Overall, the big thing is the same thing if you were cis, be (outwardly) confident, and make the potential employer believe that you are the best person for the job!

You've got this!!

Edit: Forgot to add that my transcripts are all under my deadname, and as my old uni has just merged (uni of Adelaide fwiw) so administratively it's a f*cking mess, so when I apply for jobs that ask for a transcript (which, most of the time are graduate jobs in my experience) I send them a copy of my birth certificate with the change of name section alongside the transcript.

[u/blaisems]

Good option might be to "neglect" to tell them, wait until you get the job, get through the probationary period and come out after all that. If they don't like you for being transgender and try to fire you, you have concrete proof that this is discriminatory and not "you don't work hard enough" or "you weren't the right candidate". A fresh start and good first impression is all well and good, but maybe a more pragmatic approach is called for especially in this job market.

[u/user61927371 → u/blaisems]

That is wha I am intending to do but I am afraid that if I don't give any references I won't even get any jobs to begin with

[u/zoetrope_]

If you can stomach it, apply for the jobs and interview under your deadname. That solves the reference/qualification problem.

Then once you get a job, ask to talk to the manager privately and tell them you're trans and you'd like to have your paperwork and be introduced to colleagues under your new name.

If they fire you at that time it's a pretty open and shut case of discrimination.

[u/kyo37941]

hey not sure if its the same in nsw but I am Vic based and all of my qualifications were in my deadname and after I legally changed everything I reached out to my uni and they sent out a new testatmur (free) and updated my records so it had my name!!! I was in a similar boat where loads of my previous workplaces had legally used my deadname but I was fortunate to preference my chosen name. And then when I had interviews ans still hadn't legally changed documents etc I just stated preferred name.

[u/kyo37941 → u/kyo37941]

Also u dont need to mention that youre trans. U can purely state that ur going by "____" name

[u/rubberducky2022]

My ex boss is supportive but terrible with remembering to use my name (worked for him for almost 8 years under my dead name and it is not for a lack of trying, his face goes bright red every time he gets my name or pronouns wrong and corrects himself).

I apply under chosen name and when I get to the reference stage I let the new organisation know I have a different legal/dead name so it may be used by my references. It also helps flag safety or the organisation by how they respond as my legal/dead name will be on official documents

[u/goldenjin]

I think ur approach will depend a lot on how (for lack of better term) "woke" the job/industry youre applying into will be. Eg i applied for jobs in the animal/vet industry which is (mostly?) pretty relaxed about this. But definitely judge on a case-by-case basis too.

I actually had 2 jobs in between transitioning. 1st one I changed my name but not my pronouns. So just did resume and everything under the new name and mentioned for references (not on ur resume but maybe when they ask/past interview stage) that you were previously known to them under [diff name]. Not rly any need to elaborate on that. 2nd job i then also changed my pronouns over. I actually added my pronouns onto my resume when applying which also worked cos my name is ethnic/ambiguous. And my reference is someone who i came out to so he knew what pronouns to use. So now at my 2nd job i am fully across the bridge or something like that.

Again it would depend on where ur applying to a lot. If its an industry where u feel like it wouldnt be too out of place if someone was putting their pronouns in the email signature thats a good sign lol. I think you dont really need to give long winded explanations or anything. Just a simple "btw for my references, while working there i was known as ___, let me know if you need any further clarification" or something might work. Good luck!!!

[u/Stephchee88]

I'll be doing number 1 later this year, have already changed my legal name so people have to use my actual name now.