OUTside of Grad School Exploring identity in relation to job/internship search and employer interactions

Presented by Katie Dunn UMSI Career Development Office | Oct. 14, 2013

Agenda ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Authenticity and Identity Implications Search Strategies Evaluating Employers Resume Writing Interviewing Online Persona Resources

Initial Thoughts ● Is there anything else you’d like to learn today?

Authenticity and Identity ● How do you define your identity? ○ Does it go beyond gender expression and/or sexual orientation? ○ Do you have multiple identities? ○ Does your identity depend on environment?

● What does “out” mean to you?

Authenticity and Identity ● —Evaluate what’s important to you: ○ ○ ○

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Is it important for you to be yourself in the process and find supportive employers? What has been your level of involvement within LGBTQ activities and the community? Is it important for you to work at a particular organization and not be out so that you do not have to worry about potential discrimination? Are most of your friends, peers and support networks LGBTconnected? Do you prefer to keep your private life private, or do you want to be able to discuss your personal life with coworkers? If you have a partner, is he or she out in most situations?

Implications ● How many states prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace? ● How many states prohibit discrimination based on gender identity in the workplace? ● What about Michigan?

Implications

States that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (17 states and D.C.) States that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation only (4 states)

Go to www.hrc.org to learn about additional states that have interpreted the law to include some protection of individuals and learn about other state-by-state Laws and Policies.

Implications in Michigan ● State of Michigan ○ It is legal to fire or refuse to hire someone because of actual or perceived sexual orientation/gender identity. Each year, Equality Michigan tracks at least 50 cases of employment discrimination based on SO/GI. Under Michigan law, these people have no viable legal options for challenging their terminations.

● Ann Arbor ○ Local ordinance to protect against discrimination based on SO/GI/GE in both housing and employment.

Presenting Yourself 1. I don’t want to work for a company where sexual orientation or gender identity would be at all an issue, or where being out would ever be a problem. 2. My personal life and professional life are separate. 3. I would rather the hiring decision happens prior to any disclosure, then I can have a natural process of revealing different aspects of myself to coworkers.

Job/Internship Search Strategies 1. Target LGBTQ friendly companies and locations. 2. Lean toward LGBTQ companies but keep other options open. 3. Choose an environment where you can maintain your privacy.

Evaluating Potential Employers ● Website or literature ○ Is there a non-discrimination statement? Does it include SO/GI/GE? ○ Are there diversity initiatives? What categories do they include? ○ Are the images inclusive? What does the wording tell you… partner/spouse vs husband/wife? ○ Can you find donor lists if applicable? (both to and from)

Evaluating Potential Employers ● Use your network ○ Do you know anyone who has worked for this company or in the same industry? What is the reputation? What is the anecdotal evidence about inclusion? ○ If the company is large enough, check the HRC Best Places to Work list.

● Contact HR ○ Ask about the benefits packages. You may be able to do this anonymously. Partner benefits? ○ Ask about non-discrimination policies, especially if the company does not have much of an online presence. ○ Ask if they offer diversity training for employees. ○ Potentially ask if they have gender-neutral bathrooms.

Evaluating Potential Employers ● During the interview ○ Can you tell me more about the diversity of your staff, such as how many women, people of color or LGBTQ? ○ Does your company have a nondiscrimination policy? What does it include? ○ Do you participate in any charitable or community groups?

Resume Writing ● In terms of “how gay is (or should be) my resume?” ○ Consider whether you’re aiming for LGBTQ “expertise” or wanting to avoid being “typecast.” ○ Utilize company research to decide if LGBTQrelated experiences and activities will be viewed favorably. ○ It’s a personal decision with no “right” or “wrong” answer.

Resume Writing ● Use your preferred name - a resume is not a legal document. ● If there are any gaps on your resume due to transitioning, be prepared for employers to ask you about the gap. ● As with listing any previous experience, think about the relevancy to the position you’re applying to. ● Focus on transferable skills, accomplishments, competencies in both skillsets and settings. ● Emphasize accomplishments that are relevant to the employer.

Resume Writing Strategies ● Use an acronym - for example “LGBA” rather than Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Alliance - but be prepared to explain it in an interview. ● List the organization as an “Anti-Discrimination Organization” or “Student Affinity Group” ● Use a functional resume that groups accomplishments together according to function/skill, rather than chronological timeline. ● You might also choose to simply omit any reference to LGBTQ organizations.

Interviewing ● Main focus of the interview should be on your skills, qualifications, and interest in the job - NOT your sexual orientation or gender identity. ● Dress professionally for the gender you would like to be seen as; this will help guide the interviewers’ choice of pronouns. ● If you have listed LGBTQ-related activities on your resume, be prepared to talk about your experiences. ● Interviewers can have negative/positive opinions (consciously or unconsciously) regardless of company policies and laws - feel out the situation.

Interviewing Strategies ● The best thing you can do is prepare for the questions you’d be most nervous about answering. ● Preparing in advance will allow you to clearly articulate yourself and hopefully be more confident in your interview. ● Best way to prepare for an interview? ○ A mock interview!

Online Persona ● Many employers will Google candidates and/or look for them on social media sites. ● Just as you would with your resume, or when preparing for an interview, consider how you want to present yourself. ● It’s important to keep all of your materials consistent, including those online.

Resources ● Find LGBTQ-friendly employers: ○ Human Rights Campaign ○ LGBT Career Link ○ PlanetOut ○ WorkplaceDiversity.com ○ Worknet Employer Database ○ GayWork.com ○ Out for Professionals ○ Diversity Working

○ Federal Globe ○ The Queer Resources ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Directory ProGayJobs.com Transgender Guide HireDiversity.com Transgender Law & Policy Institute Out for Work National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

Community Resources ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

ACLU Michigan Equality Michigan Jim Toy Community Center Ruth Ellis Center Affirmations Riot Youth @ The Neutral Zone Pride Zone @ Ozone House

University Resources ● Spectrum Center ● Office of Institutional Equity ● Provost Task Force on the Campus Climate for TBLG Faculty, Staff, and Students ● Center for the Education of Women ● Student Ombuds Office ● UMHS Pride Network

How Can the CDO Help? ● Make an appointment to… ○ Discuss your thoughts and feelings related to how you’d like to conduct your job/internship search ○ Research companies, create a targeted list, and strategize! ○ Resume reviews ○ Mock interviews

Thank You ● Questions, comments or concerns? ● This will be posted in the Document Center on iTrack.