"Straight Jobs, Gay Lives"

When applying for a job you have to do: company research, write a resume, interview. But what if you had also had to consider your sexual orientation? 

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1898014/thumbs/o-LGBT-JOB-facebook.jpg

Summary:

In the article, "Straight Jobs, Gay Lives...", the National Career Development Association, explores the idea of sexual orientation and career decision making. Various ideas such as: when to come out, , and coming out on the job. Overall the author’s main point is that LGBT job applicants must be aware more than straight applicants.

Important Passages: 

• “Gay and lesbian job seekers must be encouraged to expand their research to include not only an evaluation of the company culture and the benefits package (e.g., the inclusion of same-sex domestic partner benefits), but also the presence of gay and lesbian employee support groups and an understanding of the local/state employment non-discrimination laws."
• Analysis
• I definitely agree with this statement, I think it is very important for LGBT job applicants to research their state laws for employment. By researching, the seekers are able to protect themselves in the job market. This passage teaches me that when looking whether in school or out of college, there are other important factors to consider besides your own personal interest.
• “As with any potentially controversial group affiliation, such as political or religious activities, the student will want to weigh the pros and cons of including such information. Some recruiters, even gay ones, have said such information can be extraneous, unless one stresses the skills and achievements over the social activities. While highlighting skills, downplay the nature of the organization in which they were developed. One option is to list the organization as Anti-Discrimination Group, and then document the skills and accomplishments from this experience."
• Analysis
• I think it is interesting to hear that your “controversial affiliation” has nothing to do with your job opportunities. So could being gay be a kind of controversial affiliation? It depends on who you ask. Overall, what this excerpt is saying is to highlight the skills you do have that contribute positively to work, and to “downplay” the others. Is this really fair? I don’t think someone should have to hide something that is so fundamental to their personal identity. Yet, one can argue that much like political and religious affiliation, sexual identity also should not be brought into the workplace. I think I need to explore this idea in depth because I can’t currently come to a conclusion.
• “Coming out to a potential supervisor and coworkers might seem even more intimidating than coming out during the interview process; after all, the job-seeker will have to spend a majority of time with coworkers. Look for clues around the office, such as same-gender pictures or information on employee bulletin boards that might hint at the office climate. Is the work group diverse in other ways? In general, younger companies tend to be more comfortable with diversity and, even though it is hard to generalize, certain industries (e.g., software, airlines) and certain geographic locations (e.g., San Francisco) are known for being gay-friendly.”
• Analysis
• I think it is important to be aware of your surroundings in order to protect yourself. With any new job there are plenty of factors considered before taking the job. For example, when my mom was offered a job in Chicago she considered factors like the type of school, the area we were going to move to. Much like a move for a heterosexual family, an LGBT family must also research to make sure the environment is safe for them.

Questions & Future Research:

1. Is being of the LGBT community the same as being part of a controversial religious or political association?
2. What else does sexual orientation effect?