FAQ's

Should I out myself in my resume or cover letter? Outing yourself at any stage of the job search process is a very personal decision - there is no "right" or "wrong" answer, only the answer that is right for you. First, consider your own comfort level and interest in sharing your sexuality or gender identity with others. Is it important for you to be out and visible or do you prefer to be more private and possibly share at a later time? Is it important for you to be out at work? Second, research the organization. Ask yourself, is it likely the organization you're applying to will look favorably upon LGBTQ -related experiences and activities? If you're concerned they will not, you can highlight the skills you developed without naming the organization you worked with specifically.

How do I include skills gained through work with LGBTQ+ organizations without outing myself in the paperwork? You can list the organization you are/were affiliated with by either an acronym or a general name such as "community organization" or "anti-discrimination organization."  Another option is to use a functional resume format where your experiences are categorized around skill areas rather than the chronological timeline of specific jobs. Learn about functional resumes on the "Resume and Cover Letter" tab. You can also choose to simply omit any reference to LGBTQ organizations.

Should I out myself in the interview? Can a potential employer ask about my sexuality and/or gender identity? Outing yourself at any stage of the job search process is a personal choice and up to you. Since most identities fall under protected classes, an employer cannot legally ask questions related to your identity.  However, certain protections may vary depending on your location so make sure to keep yourself informed and up to date on what protections exist on both the federal and state level. Be familiar with illegal interview questions and how to address the interviewer if asked such a question. As a general rule, employers cannot ask any questions related to protected classes. For more information on California state protections, please visit https://www.dfeh.ca.gov/Employment/or visit the government website of your respective state. For information on federal protections, please visit https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/index.cfm.That being said, if there is something you would like to address related to your identity, you are able to bring it up.  If you decide to disclose an identity, practice what you will say.  Know how to talk about your identity in such a way that you demonstrate the value holding this identity will have for the organization. One way you may do this is in the "tell me about yourself" question.  When answering this question highlight pertinent information about the identities you carry while keeping the focus on your relevant experiences and fit for the position.  The more you practice talking positively about your identity the more eloquently you'll be able to address it in an interview.  Be cautious while navigating these talking points.  Determine whether it is appropriate and in your best interest to discuss identities in an interview. To help you determine if you should disclose an identity we recommend that you take advantage of mock interviewing with the Career Resource Center. You can schedule an appointment on Tiger Jobs (LINK)or you can practice online through StandOut (LINK), our practice interview program.

How do I search for LGBTQ+ friendly employers? Prior to applying make sure to research the organization to see if their policies and values will align with your own.  Research to see if the organization has: Non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity/expressionA Chief Diversity Officer or office position Trainings that include sensitivity to LGBTQ+ identitiesIn-house support or employee groups, either formal or informal Gender inclusive restrooms Positive statements from customers and/or staff members with experienceIf so, it is likely that an organization will not only value its employees' identities, it will celebrate their differences.  You can also visit these resources to find LGBTQ-friendly employers:  
Human Rights Campaign website - https://www.hrc.org/  www.LGBTCampus.org

LGBT Career Link - http://outandequal.org/lgbt-careerlink/
Federal Globe - https://seasonsofpride.com/lgbt-resources/federal-globe/www.Transequality.org
Transgender Law & Policy Institute - http://www.transgenderlaw.org/
Reaching Out MBA Conference - https://www.reachingoutmba.org/
Out For Work - https://www.outforwork.org/ 
For more on-campus resources please email pridecenter@pacific.edu.