Imagine that you transitioned six months ago, and lost your job, and now must find a new one. Do you panic? Do you cash in your retirement? Do you wait until you have gained a few additional months of experience living in role?

Looking for work and being prepared for gender questions that will come can be daunting. In some cases transpersons get fired from their jobs and this may lend to an atmosphere of desperation. If at all possible, plan the timing of your work search to coincide with stable periods in your transition. Realistically, not everyone has that luxury, this leads into the question of where does gender fits into it all.

While gender issues may be an important consideration to you, these should never become a primary focus or subject of discussion within interviews or a future position. Prior to your work search you need to determine the actual role your having a transgender identity will play in your job. If you're a gender activist for a human rights organization, your transgender identity may be a critical component to your activities. Most other jobs, however, are focused on other matters.

Asking yourself good questions can help facilitate gender on the job. Is being an 'out' or a transgender activist part of the job description? How comfortable are you talking about your gender experiences during an interview and with new co-workers? Do extended discussions about your transition progress, surgical status or sexual practices have anything to do with your job? Or, will providing basic information set people at ease? How presentable are you?

Many folks at the beginning of transition do not understand the difference between 'presentation' and 'passing.' The ability to 'pass perfect' is many people's wish, to blend in perfectly so that no one can identify you as transsexual. Having that attribute may take time some time and a lot of effort - think in terms of at least a few years post-op if perfection is your goal.

For many transpersons passing all of the time often just isn't possible, but that is no reason to stop living your life, consider yourself unemployable or to allow yourself to be treated poorly in a position where your work skills are not appreciated.

Maintaining a good presentation differs from and is more important than passing. This involves your ability to choose an appearance and comportment that is appropriate to your person and employment. Being presentable infers that you present yourself in an acceptable manner, regardless of whether others can spot your transgenderness. After all, if you aren't passing perfect, at a minimum you can still be as attractive and consistent to your gender as possible.

Putting extra effort into your presentation is appropriate for first time interviews. Often transpersons will seek new positions, sometimes with gender specific roles, occasionally this will be in a new employment field. Asking good questions is important here, too.

What does a new man in your chosen field and position wear? How about a new woman? It helps to investigate what similarly situated co-workers wear to interviews and work. Then, consider your comfort levels to determine whether to dress more conservative, casual or sexy.

Interestingly, one of the give-aways that someone hasn't been living in role very long are the details of a wardrobe. This is particularly so for new women.

Knowing which colors work for you is critical. When I was a youngster prior to transition, I often envisioned myself wearing lovely pink dresses. Later I discovered I look awful in that color. Too bad! But, as an attractive substitute I found that peach and salmon look fabulous on me. On general principal, men will notice when you look attractive.

Other women, however, will notice when you don't have a lot of experience pulling together an appearance that works.

Accessories are equally important. If a new women hasn't learned when and where these are worn, she might wear too much or none at all. I recommend a visit to your local department store. Talk with a sales associate. Explain your proposed position, and ask what accessories are appropriate to your wardrobe.

Put the same careful selection into make up. After all, you want to put your best face forward when meeting prospective employers for the first time. As strange as it may sound, when it comes to wardrobe and make-up you may even find it useful to play into regional stereotypes.

Many women in the deep Southern US wouldn't show up at work without noticeable makeup. Conversely, heavy make-up in the Northwest would probably look out of place. If your employment search goes outside of your own area, rely on a second or third opinion to pull things together.

Doing so may mean the difference between fitting in and looking like an outsider- which may not be a particularly a good idea if folks will already recognize you as transgender.

Do you write and talk about your gender issues during your employment search and at first-time interviews? It all depends. Unless you can see an exceptional reason to disclose your transgender status or gender activism in a cover letter seeking employment, or listing it on your resume or curriculum vitae - don't. You don't want the door slammed in your face before you even land an interview.

At the interview, you may be asked gender questions. Here is where you need to tiptoe carefully in your responses. If you sound like you recently transitioned - you're going to hear numerous 'good luck' dismissals and probably won't get hired. On the other hand, you don't want to state that you have been living in role for years, when it may be obvious to others (especially on your paperwork) that such is untrue.

Generally if you didn't 'transition-on-the job' at your last position, you cannot say you did. However, you might say that you have several years of experience living in role, with the exception of that employment position.

More, if it is possible to volunteer your skills as a new woman (or new man) prior to seeking a new job, that will help lend credence to the statement that you have professional experience interacting with others in your new role. Also, it would be wise to change your legal identification prior to seeking the new position, at least get that process well under way so that you can rely on its benefits.

In counseling a lot of people have questions how to deal with former employers, since these possibly will be contacted by someone interested in hiring you. This prospect sometimes may leave a person concerned. Often, prior to leaving a position it is wise to obtain a letter of reference stating your former position, time on the job, and your success as an employee. If you leave on good terms with your former employer - he or she may be convinced to provide you a letter using your new name. If not, at least get a reference in your old name, since this helps you control what is said about you, as often new employers won't call the old employer, if a written reference is available.

After you have done a legal name change, in most place it is possible to change old school and employment records to reflect your new name. If you have a chance to do this, by all means do so. The more consistency your records (and your story) have, the less eyebrows are going to be raised by your having a transgender status.

A lot of questions arise about bathroom usage at the new employment position, particularly if it is obvious that you are transgender. At progressive companies, if you have identification that that bears an updated gender marker, it is possible that little issue of your using the bathroom appropriate to your presentation will be made. In some states, if there is an "F" on your driver's license you are legally bound to use the female bathroom. If objections are raised by co-workers, management can provide sensitivity training to staff. Generally, if you present a letter stating that you are declared permanently reassigned by a physician, the onus is on management to accommodate you as if you were born in that gender.

Going to a first-time interview or starting a new position as a new man or woman can be stressful. Some people think that finding new work is easier than doing an actual 'on-the-job' transition at a pre-existing position.

In some sense it is because you are a completely new person. There will always be some folks who like to remind and punish others for the past, however you don't have to accept it. It's a little harder for people to do that if you don't give them a lot of information about your personal history. Instead, do your best to begin building your life as you want it now, and keep people's attention focused on your present merits.

In closing, keep a positive attitude. In many respects finding first time employment for transmen and women is not unlike the initial experiences of others entering the job market. The more belief you place in your success, the better off you will be. Bear in mind that many transgender persons do gain employment and even advance themselves. You're definitely worth the extra effort