Outing yourself at any stage of the job search process is a very personal decision - there is no “right” or “wrong” answer - you will have to make a decision (in each situation) that is best for you based on your own self-assessment and organizational research.

First, consider your own comfort level and interest in sharing your sexuality or gender identity with others. While it is important to some people to be out and visible, others prefer to be more private. Is it important to you to be out at work?

Second, research / consider your audience. Is it likely the organization you're applying to will look favorably upon GLBT - related experiences and activities? If you're concerned they will not, you can highlight the skills you developed without highlighting the organization you worked with (more on this below).

If you decide you do not want to out yourself on your resume and/or cover letter, there are several options for you to still convey the skills you have gained from LGBTA-related activities:

• You might choose to list the organization you were affiliated with by either an acronym or a general name such as “Community Organization” or “Anti-Discrimination Organization.” [However, be prepared to explain during an interview what the acronym stands for or what an “Anti-Discrimination Organization” does.] A career counselor can help you work on wording around this.
• Another option is to use a functional resume that is organized around skill areas rather than the chronological timeline of specific jobs. This allows you to highlight your skills while de-emphasizing where you developed them.
• You might also choose to simply omit any reference to GLBT organizations.

Once again, outing yourself at any stage of the job search process is a very personal decision - there is no “right” or “wrong” answer - you will have to make a decision (in each situation) that is best for you based on your own self-assessment and organizational research.

• Always prepare for your interview
• Research the organization’s policies and climate to gain some idea about their general attitude toward GLBT issues
• Remember that an official policy of acceptance does not ensure that every individual within the organization will not harbor some homophobia (and vice versa: just because they don't have a policy, doesn't mean you have to assume the worst).
• Research the anti-discrimination laws in the state where to organization is located for sexual orientation and gender identity language.

• Know that you do NOT have to out yourself
• Employers can and might ask about your sexuality. (In some states it is illegal to make a hiring decision based on your answer, in others states it remains legal to discriminate against people because of their GLBT identity.)
• It is YOUR choice whether you answer the question directly or not - there are many ways to redirect the conversation or dismiss the question as irrelevant to your employment.
• The best you can do is prepare for the questions you'd be most nervous about answering so that you go into the interview feeling confident and prepared to tactfully negotiate questions around your sexuality or gender.

Mock Interviews with a career counselor are a great way to prepare yourself for an interview whether you may wish to out yourself or not. (Call to schedule an individual appointment at 970-491-5707)

There is little protection in the work place for transgendered individuals, and currently only four states include gender identity in their anti-discrimination laws (CA, MN, NM, and RI) - though more are working on inclusive legislation.

It is wise for trans folk to research organizations that are not only GLB friendly but also T friendly, this includes specifically looking for gender identity/expression language in discrimination policies, gender-neutral bathrooms, and support groups for Trans employees.

Additionally, preparing for all kinds of questions will allow you to clearly articulate yourself and, hopefully, be more confident in your interview. While no amount of preparation can overcome bias, you'll increase your chances of a successful job search if you feel confident and self-assured.

For more information on Trans issues in the workplace, visit the Human Rights Campaign Transgender Work Site. (http://www.hrc.org/issues/workplace/7204.htm)

What about outing myself to a networker or at a Career Fair?

Once again, outing yourself at any stage of the job search process is a very personal decision - there is no “right” or “wrong” answer - you will have to make a decision (in each situation) that is best for you based on your own self-assessment and organizational research.

Coming out to potential networkers involves many of the same issues you might consider in choosing whether or not to come out in an interview or on your resume. As stated before, researching an organization's policies and climate gives you information about the general attitude towards GLBT people; however, the individual you are talking to may have not hold the same attitude reflected in the policy.

In making your choice you can to consider:

• How important is it for you to be out at work?
• How safe / comfortable do you feel in the networking location? Are there allies or threats nearby? Are there resources available for GLBT candidates at the Career Fair or networking event?
• Does the organization have domestic partner benefits, non-discrimination policies, and/or support groups for GLBT employees?
• How did they rank on the HRC website?

There are several search engines designed specifically to help job seekers find LGBTQ-friendly employers:

• Human Rights Campaign - Worknet
• The Gay Financial Network
• PlanetOut
• GayJob.Biz
• Pro Gay Jobs
• Transgender Guide
• Transgender Law & Policy Institute
• Reaching Out MBA Conference

Additionally, review organization web sites, talk to those you trust and get referrals for GLBT-friendly organizations.

While it may be difficult to determine how truly supportive any organization is, exploring some key indicators can give you a sense of the espoused values of an institution. These indicators include:

• Domestic Partner Benefits including health and life insurance, educational grants, access to facilities, etc.
• Non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity/expression
• Trainings that include sensitivity to GLBT issues
• In-house support or employee groups, either formal or informal
• Gender-neutral bathrooms
• Positive statements from people with experience

Finding a GLBT-friendly location issimilar to finding a GLBT-friendly employer, some key factors that can help you get a sense of the local environment include:

• State marriage laws and relationship recognition
• State anti-discrimination laws and policies
• Hate crime statistics
• State adoption policies and laws
• Educational policies and laws

Much of this information can be found on the Human Rights Campaign web site in the Your Community section (http://www.hrc.org/your_community/index.htm). Additionally, many of the resources listed for researching employers (http://www.career.colostate.edu/students/findAJob/researchEmployers.html) include geographic information. Another fun tool that can help you think about where you want to live is Find Your Spot (http://www.findyourspot.com/) . This web site has a fun, free quiz you can take which will give you a list of possible places that match your requirements. Don't take what they give you as set in stone - do some exploring and reflecting yourself!

Much of this information can be found on the Human Rights Campaign web site in the Your Community section (http://www.hrc.org/your_community/index.htm). Additionally, many of the resources listed for researching employers (http://www.career.colostate.edu/students/findAJob/researchEmployers.html) include geographic information.

Another fun tool that can help you think about where you want to live is Find Your Spot. This web site has a fun, free quiz you can take which will give you a list of possible places that match your requirements. Don't take what they give you as set in stone - do some exploring and reflecting yourself!

You might want to consider employment in the non-profit, government, or education sectors where much of the work these agencies are doing directly promotes social justice for all people, including GLBT folks.

Of course, it is not safe to assume that any agency in the nonprofit sector is free of homophobia, so you will still want to research the organization.

Organizations like these exist nationwide. An excellent resource for finding such organizations is Idealist.org. Check out their Jobs, Internships, and Organizations databases.

Finally, while internships are an excellent way to build work-related skills for everyone, internships can be especially useful to GLBT students seeking to develop skills in coming out in the workplace, to identify contacts who can assist with locating GLBT friendly organizations, and to explore options that include social justice work. Most of the sample non-profits listed above have hosted internship students and many have also had work-study students. To explore more internship options, check out our Internships web page.

Additional Resources for GLBT Students available CSU's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Services office.