Clearing a Career Hurdle

[Kimberly Kael]

I haven't posted nearly as often around here as I did at one time, but I know some folks will remember aspects of my story.  For those who don't the quick capsule summary: I joined quite a few years ago trying to better understand my feminine leanings.  Over time I came to realize that it was more of an identity than a hobby and began to identify as transgender.  In 2008 and 2009 I gradually widened the circle of friends and family who knew, eventually adding my management chain and coworkers.  I transitioned to living full-time as a woman by 2010, complete with legal name change.

Fast-forward two years and my life was already very comfortable.  Most of the barriers I thought could complicate living in my identified gender proved to be illusory.  I eliminated most of my facial and body hair with a series of laser treatments, and by the time I had gained a reasonable amount of confidence and practice presenting as female I found that I was readily accepted everywhere I went.  The only real challenges were with those closest to me.  It was understandably hard on my wife and while I tried to slow the pace of change I know that it was still extremely sudden from her perspective.  Even so, we've persevered and are very happy together.  My father is the sole holdout by virtue of having avoided meaningful contact for three years.

A few months into year three I realized there was at least one more major hurdle awaiting me.  It became clear that the next step in my career would involve a change of employers.  The company I worked for was supportive but I was itching to do something new.  I knew that there were other progressive companies out there, but I'd never actually applied for a job or interviewed as a transgender woman.  How exactly should I address the issue?  Would the infamous "glass ceiling" prove to be a limiting factor?

As nervous as I was getting started, I found that my reflexes took over as soon as technical conversations began.  Confidence and competence were as valuable as always, and it turned out that someone at each company invariably knew me pre-transition but brushed it off as an irrelevant detail.  In the end I was offered three interesting opportunities and I'm in the middle of packing to move to California to pursue one of them.  Life is a series of adventures and I'm very excited about the one I'm embarking on right now!

[SilverLady(SO)]

Congratulations on the new endeavor, Kimberly!!


- SL

[Anita]

Welcome to California, Kimberly. If it's Northern Cal, I'd love to see you again! Bold move, by the way--continuing to transition at the old job become your new "comfort zone," and you were willing to go beyond it.

[Anthony Simon]

Congrats on your new job, Kimberly. As much as anything, it's a validation of your decision to transition.

[DonnaT]

Career Hurdles, not an Olympic sport

Good luck with the move and new job.

[Leeza]

Congrats on the new job. I wish you the best.

Leeza

[Anna]

Congratulations on you progress Kimberly, and on the new job! You are really "pushing the envelope"! Fantastic!

[Ginny Jones]

Good for you Kim! Nothing ventured... It's great to hear how you have taken on so many challenges and made a success of it all. I wish you all the best!

Hugs Ginny x

[Kimberly Kael]

Welcome to California, Kimberly. If it's Northern Cal, I'd love to see you again!

Exactly where we'll wind up isn't clear. We've put in an offer on a house that would put us near our old stomping grounds a few hours south of you, but if that doesn't work out it's possible we'll wind up in the valley. Not all that close to you but not a world away, either.

Bold move, by the way--continuing to transition at the old job become your new "comfort zone," and you were willing to go beyond it.

Yes, that's exactly it!

[Caith]

Kim, thank you VERY MUCH for sharing your story, especially your interview experiences. I wish you great success, and continued happiness!

[JoAnnDallas]

On thing that has happen in the last three years, is the word has gone out that if you do any kind of business with the government, that company needs to have anti-discrimination policy for LGBT employees. It is not offical doctrine yet but hopefully will be soon. Sense this also applies to those companys that have sub-contractors, it affects a large share across the country. All of the companys I have worked for, including two that are in the 40-50 total employee range have GLBT protections in place. One of my past companies, I was re-introduced to a co-worker after she transistioned. There have also been a number of high profile cases where a company has either denided or pulled an offer from a person that transistioned. Every one of the transistion persons has won their case. I would gather that it is no different now for a transistioned person than it is for a non-transistioned person. IMHO, it comes down to presentation. If you present yourself as a confiedent, highly trained professional and look professional, then your past in the eyes of management becomes mute.
I recently changed jobs myself. No I have not transisioned but I had two days of face-to-face interviews where my hair is down to the bottom of my ears, I have bangs, gold stud ear rings in both ears, my elebrows are waxed, trimmed, and plucked, and acrylic nails that extend past my finger tips with light Pink polish on them. I also wore a nice suit and tie, polished shoes, and nice watch. After end of two days of interviewing, I was made an offer, which I accepted. At no time did anyone ask or say anything about my hair, ears, eyebrows, or hands.
I have had to do the interviewing process. I was told to look at the person's credentials, knowledge, professionalism, and answers to your questions. everything else does not count.