I did it - full employmemnt

[Guest DianeATL]

I started transitioning almost 4 years ago and had surgery/name change earlier this year.  While I was out on medical leave and transitioning at work, they eliminated my department.  I was able to negotiate a great severance package but was fearful of what, if anything, I could get entering the job market as a 60+ trans woman.

It was tough, I felt more age discrimination than trans but if I got past the age issue, being trans didn't help me get further.  I was getting depressed and making plans to drive for Uber or do temp work to get by.  I had given myself till the end of the year of searching for the mid level executive position that I was accustomed to before looking for ways to settle and get by.

Then I saw a job posting that matched my resume to a T.  They followed up with me and I got past the HR phone interview and on to a phone interview with the hiring manager where we really connected.  He wanted to bring me in for a face to face interview and I was faced with the quandary of do I bring up the T word at all?  I am post op, legally female, and it shouldn't matter but even though I present well, I know a woman of my stature is out of the ordinary.  I decided to throw it on the table so that he would not be shocked in any way when meeting me.

His response was that he thanked me for sharing that and understood that some companies' conservative cultures could make it a problem but that it would not be an issue here at all.

Thursday I interviewed with 4 people on site.  One was a Global VP who was selling me on how they value diversity and the culture of respect and working on social issues that was a core part of the company.  He told me that when he had done a lot for HIV programs and when he lived in San Francisco he took in two boys who had been kicked out by their families for being gay and positive.  I felt like he was telling me that I would be very welcome there as a trans woman.

Yesterday they checked references and made an offer that I accepted.  It is at least on par with responsibility and income if not above what I have done before.  It took time to find the right place but I didn't have to take a step back in pay for being a woman or a trans woman.  I am so excited and a bit proud of myself for getting out there and getting it done.  I start Jan 3 so I can have a relaxed holiday.

Don't give up.  There are companies out there where inclusion and diversity are not just words in their HR manual.

As a footnote, I was also elected to the Board of Directors for my Condo association earlier in the week and today just got cast in a production of the Vagina Monologues presented by One Billion Rising.  It is quite the week. 

[Jani]

Diane great news.  Good things do come to those who wait, and persevere!  Congratulations.

Jani

[Cyndee]

Very nice Diane ! congrats on extending your working life...

Cyndi -

[tracy_j]

Congratulations Diane x

 

[Charlize]

Congratulations.  You must be ecstatic to have had so much positive news in a week.  Have a great holiday and relax.  Sounds like you will be a very busy young lady.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[VickySGV]

Remembering some of your early times in here, you have come quite a long wonderful way here.  Congratulations.

[Guest DianeATL]

59 minutes ago, VickySGV said:

Remembering some of your early times in here, you have come quite a long wonderful way here.  Congratulations.

Thank you.

4 years ago I had never gone in public presenting as Diane now I am a post op woman with legal name change who landed a job being myself.  it's a very long path that I have traveled quickly.  I am on cloud nine.

[Tejana]

On 12/10/2016 at 11:05 AM, DianeATL said:

I started transitioning almost 4 years ago and had surgery/name change earlier this year.  While I was out on medical leave and transitioning at work, they eliminated my department.  I was able to negotiate a great severance package but was fearful of what, if anything, I could get entering the job market as a 60+ trans woman.

It was tough, I felt more age discrimination than trans but if I got past the age issue, being trans didn't help me get further.  I was getting depressed and making plans to drive for Uber or do temp work to get by.  I had given myself till the end of the year of searching for the mid level executive position that I was accustomed to before looking for ways to settle and get by.

Then I saw a job posting that matched my resume to a T.  They followed up with me and I got past the HR phone interview and on to a phone interview with the hiring manager where we really connected.  He wanted to bring me in for a face to face interview and I was faced with the quandary of do I bring up the T word at all?  I am post op, legally female, and it shouldn't matter but even though I present well, I know a woman of my stature is out of the ordinary.  I decided to throw it on the table so that he would not be shocked in any way when meeting me.

His response was that he thanked me for sharing that and understood that some companies' conservative cultures could make it a problem but that it would not be an issue here at all.

Thursday I interviewed with 4 people on site.  One was a Global VP who was selling me on how they value diversity and the culture of respect and working on social issues that was a core part of the company.  He told me that when he had done a lot for HIV programs and when he lived in San Francisco he took in two boys who had been kicked out by their families for being gay and positive.  I felt like he was telling me that I would be very welcome there as a trans woman.

Yesterday they checked references and made an offer that I accepted.  It is at least on par with responsibility and income if not above what I have done before.  It took time to find the right place but I didn't have to take a step back in pay for being a woman or a trans woman.  I am so excited and a bit proud of myself for getting out there and getting it done.  I start Jan 3 so I can have a relaxed holiday.

Don't give up.  There are companies out there where inclusion and diversity are not just words in their HR manual.

As a footnote, I was also elected to the Board of Directors for my Condo association earlier in the week and today just got cast in a production of the Vagina Monologues presented by One Billion Rising.  It is quite the week. 

Congratulations on finding a full-time job.  After the last 8+ years finding full-time employment in any sector other than the service-industry has been tough for anyone, especially those who have been out of work for awhile. 

From what was written in the initial post, it sounds like your past employment history was, in many respects, a good match for what the corporation was searching.  As per the red hi-lighted words in the above quote...it appears that your gender-transition was also an asset to being hired.

Best wishes, I hope the job works out for both you and your employer.

[Whitelaceblue]

On 12/10/2016 at 2:55 PM, Jani423 said:

Diane great news.  Good things do come to those who wait, and persevere!  Congratulations.

Jani

Absolutely wonderful!

[Guest]

That's awesome, Diane!! Good for you!

[~Nova~]

It's been almost a month since you started, how's it going?

oh, congrats too.

[Steve]

Great news.  Best of luck with the new job.

[MarcieMarie12]

Congratulations! Sounds like a good place to work.