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The Rainbow Clause:
Giving us the right to choose who; where; when; why; and how.
Career Success for the Gay and Lesbian
Professional
How to find a job with a gay-positive
company
Your career goals are changing and the time
has come for you to find a new job. If you've already been through the often
difficult process of coming out to co-workers and supervisors, you're probably
dreading crossing that bridge once again. Much of that can be avoided, however,
by targeting lesbian-/gay-friendly companies in your job search, and by making
yourself familiar with prospective employers' anti-discrimination policies
before you accept an offer.
Narrowing Down Your Job Search
The Web provides a number of employment resources
for gay and lesbian professionals. These include
GLPCareers.com,
GayWork.com and
ProGayJobs.com. Each of these will allow
you to search for job openings in your city at companies that have an inclusive
environment and that respect the unique needs of gay and lesbian employees.
Many offer domestic partnership benefits including health insurance for same-sex
partners and family leave time.
If you are interested in a position not listed
in one of these on-line databases, you can still use the Internet to research
the company before sending in your resume. Check out the company's web site
to see if they have an "Equal Opportunity Employer" message that includes
sexual orientation in its wording. Look the company up in the Queer Resources
Directory (www.qrd.org) to see if any
information exists on its policies. Ask friends and acquaintances about any
experiences they may have had with the company, or any stories they may have
heard about the company's approach to diversity.
The Interview - Out or Not?
One of the most difficult choices gay and lesbian
candidates face is whether or not to disclose their sexual orientation during
the interview process. This is entirely up to you. Regardless of your decision,
you should feel comfortable asking questions of your interviewer that will
paint a clearer picture of the company's culture. Keep in mind that an interview
is a two way street. Your prospective employer may be making a decision about
hiring you, but you should also be making a decision about whether or not
you want to be hired.
Ask your interviewer about the company's
anti-discrimination policy and how it does, or does not, include gay and
lesbian employees. Inquire about the company's diversity training - is it
mandatory? Does it include sexual orientation? Find out if the company offers
domestic partnership benefits. You do not need to bring up your own sexual
orientation to broach these subjects. You can simply explain yourself by
telling your interviewer that a diverse workplace is important to you, and
that you are curious about the company's willingness to celebrate differences
among its employees.
Many gay and lesbian job candidates may worry
that asking these questions will target them for discrimination or will "out"
them to their interviewer. The reality is that asking these questions is
likely to impress your prospective employer. It shows that you have a true
interest in the company, that you are a naturally interested individual,
and that you do your homework about issues that are important to you. If
this line of discussion does invite harassment or prevent you from being
offered the job, all the better. Now you'll know, without any doubt, what
this company's position on gay issues is. Why would you want to work for
a company that does not have your best interests at heart?
If you do feel comfortable disclosing your sexual
orientation, you might want to ask your interviewer if it would be possible
to set up a private meeting with an openly gay employee. This will give you
a chance to get an honest perspective about the way gay and lesbian employees
are treated there. Ask the employee if his or her partner is included in
invitations to company events, if other employees treat him or her with respect,
and what benefits are available to same-sex partners. It might be best to
ask for this meeting after you have been offered the position, or after you
have been notified that you are on the company's short list of candidates.
The company will be more willing to set up a meeting such as this if they
are very interested in hiring you.
Times are changing. Gay and lesbian professionals
are feeling more comfortable about searching out employment with companies
that have open minds and open doors. With a little bit of research and
preparation, you will have no trouble finding career success with a company
that respects and values you.
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