Resources for LBGTQ Community

How do I use my chosen name?

You may wonder whether to use your chosen name or the name you were given at birth when submitting a resume and cover letter. There is no right or wrong answer, because resumes and cover letters are not legal documents. It’s fine to write the name you have chosen even if it does not reflect the name on your government-issued ID. However, documents used for background checks, social security, tax or insurance paperwork should have your legal name on them.

Here are a few ways you can address a mismatch between your resume and other legal documents:

  • Include your first initial of your legal name, or your full legal name. For example, M. Lydia Robinson or Michael Lydia Robinson.
  • Use the name on your government-issued ID and disclose your gender identity and name later in the hiring process or after an offer has been made.
  • Write the name that you use if you are comfortable coming out early in the hiring process or if you are already acquainted with the hiring manager or recruiter.

What about professional attire?

Choosing what to wear to professional meetings, interviews or networking events can be particularly challenging for queer and trans job seekers. The decision to dress according to “traditional”, cisgender norms or to wear clothes that allow you to express your gender identity may vary over time and from interview to interview, depending on your personal comfort level. Your knowledge of the particular employer or industry may inform your decision.

Ideally, wear clothing that makes you feel confident. If you are interviewing or networking in a conservative, corporate environment, you may consciously choose to dress in gender normative attire. For organizations that are more liberal, and particularly those that have shown they are LGBTQ-inclusive, you may feel comfortable wearing clothes typically associated with the gender with which you identify. Or, you may choose to dress in gender-neutral or androgynous clothing. This is a personal choice and will be impacted by your own level of comfort as well as your research on the particular employer or field.

Is this a company I want to work for?

Factors to consider when evaluating whether or not you wish to work for a particular employer include:

  • Work content
  • Professional skill development
  • Opportunity for advancement
  • Cultural fit
  • LGBTQ-friendly environment

While it may be difficult to determine if the employer is truly safe and supportive, you can ask about the following indicators for insight into the organizational culture. In addition, it may be hard to ask these questions in an interview. Doing preliminary research may help you find your answers. Here are some questions to consider, and if you’d like to chat through these further, please make an appointment with your career coach:

  • Domestic Partner Benefits including health and life insurance, educational grants, access to facilities, etc.
  • Non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity/expression
  • Trainings that include sensitivity to LGBTQ issues
  • Availability of gender-neutral restrooms
  • In-house support or employee groups, either formal or informal
  • Sponsorship of or participation in LGBTQ community activities
  • Participation in recruitment events specific to LGBTQ candidates
  • Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) statement in job description
  • Positive statements from people with experience at the company

The Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index is a useful tool for identifying LGBTQ-inclusive employers.

Professional Networks

There are LGBTQ conferences and/or subcommittees for all industries.

  • Creating Change Conference
  • Trans Student Educational Conferences
  • Time to Thrive

Resume & Cover Letters

How do I include LGBTQ experiences on a resume/cover letter?

You may wonder whether to include LGBTQ-specific awards or scholarships, advocacy work, or involvement in LGBTQ student organizations. Whether or not to come out on a resume or cover letter depends on your own comfort level and interest in sharing your sexuality or gender identity with others. It is a very personal decision to come out at any stage of the job search process. As such, there is no right or wrong answer.

There are questions to ask yourself to gauge how safe you feel about your experiences.

Ask yourself: is it important to you to be out at work? Be sure to research your work environment. Is it likely the organization you’re applying to is LGBTQ-friendly? If you’re concerned they are not, you may choose to highlight the skills you developed but not the organizations you worked with. Is a particular activity, award or experience relevant to the job you are applying for? If the experience does not demonstrate relevant skills you may choose to leave it off at this point.

Sample Resume:

LGBTQ Resource Center Houston, TX

Program Coordinator May 2015-Present

Organized the annual Student Anti-Homophobia Leadership Summit for 32 East High school students, conducting outreach through Facebook, New York City public schools, and LGBTQ youth organizations.

Interviewing & Success on the Job

Coming out in an interview:

One way to share your LGBTQ identity is to ask questions about affinity groups or employee resources that the employer offers to LGBTQ employees. Or, you may bring up your involvement in LGBTQ-related leadership or advocacy as evidence of skills and knowledge you can bring to the organization.

Both sexual orientation and gender identity are protected by state and local laws. (Check with the Human Rights Campaign and New York Attorney General’s office for the latest information).

If employers ask you questions in which you feel uncomfortable, there are ways to redirect conversations or dismiss the question as irrelevant to your employment. For example, if asked about your sexual orientation, you can simply ask if it is relevant to the job you are interviewing for. Conversely, you may choose to bring up your identity/(ies) to gain a sense of the company’s culture or the employer’s openness.

You can build confidence by preparing to answer the questions you are most nervous about and practicing tactfully negotiating questions around your sexuality. Schedule a mock interview with a career coach to practice! 

LGBTQ Career Resources

The Human Rights Campaign maintains a list of industry specific LGBTQ Professional and Student Associations, we’ve highlighted general career resources here.

  • Out For Undergrad: Dedicated to helping high-achieving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) undergraduates reach their full potential in their careers. Hosts career conferences in the fields of Business, Marketing, Engineering and Technology.
  • Diversity in the Workplace: A magazine highlighting diversity related news, top 50 employers, workplace issues and professional development opportunities.
  • Human Rights Campaign: Employee resources on everything from coming out to addressing workplace discrimination.
  • LGBT Career Link: Job posting site highlighting opportunities for LGBTQ people.
  • Out and Equal Workplace Advocates: Provides information regarding workplace issues and hosts annual LGBTQ workplace summit.

Community Resources

  • The Trevor Project: Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.