Your identity is a catalyst to how to develop your work, your projects, and your career! It’s what makes you, you!
Using your preferred name:
Your name on your resume can always be preferred. HR and formal documents upon hiring and/or background checks will need to be completed with a legal name, but you are absolutely allowed to have your preferred name and your preferred pronouns on your Resume and in your workspace!
What to include in your Resume, Cover Letter or Portfolio:
LGBTQIA+ folx brings unique points of view, strengths, design, etc. to your industry, your art, and your ideation. How do we elevate this information on our resumes and cover letters? Consider your approach, your values, your ideals, and what you have gained from being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. In our work, our identities are intersectional, which can be seen through the lens of how we participate in our communities. Curating your identity and your work can help allow your voice to be amplified in your workspace and to find organizations that are more aligned with the work you are looking to do.
Professional Attire, What to wear in your interview and in your career:
“Traditional” gender norms can sometimes feel required or expected, especially by those who identify as gender-expansive, nonconforming, nonbinary, trans, and so forth. However, you as an individual are allowed to dress in the professional attire of your choice. At the end of the day, you want to make sure what you are wearing makes you feel confident, comfortable, and professional.
This is absolutely a personal choice. The power is in your hands to professionally express yourself, and tell folx about how you identify.
Employer Culture:
How do you evaluate an organizational culture before even applying? Informational interviews are a great way to learn about the history and culture of an organization. Researching their LGBTQIA+ staff work culture, and programming initiatives are also important. Most companies have their benefits page available for you to view – double check on their benefits.
Questions you should ask yourself and others:
- Who is their health insurance provider?
- What additional resources do they offer?
- Is there anything that is helpful to your LGBTQIA community?
- Do they have a nondiscrimination policy?
- Does it mention Equal Opportunity in the job description?
- Are there training, professional development, and workshops offered to learn about LGBTQIA identities?
- Are there training, professional development, and workshops offered to LGBTQIA staff?
- Are there community activities or affinity groups you can join?
- Are there gender-neutral bathrooms?
- Are there LGBTQIA+ folx who have worked at the company? In your networking efforts, reach out for info interviews to learn about their experience.