Trans Employment Conference

On Saturday I attended to Trans Employment Conference at the Q Center in Portland, Oregon. I showed up early, and yeah, the space was not ideal, but better than nothing- when trains went by the speakers had to speak around the trains. There were a few different subject matters covered during the day: Transitioning Gender in the Workplace, Managing your past and names on Resumes, Alternative Employment and Self Employment, and lots of Networking. Ideas and themes that came up, passed on for folks who asked but could not make it:-Look around your workplace- be gender appropriate and presentation appropriate to the space around you. (I had issues with this gender binary, but understand)-If transitioning in the workplace, discuss ahead of time with HR if possible, and develop a timetable for transitioning on the job.-In resumes, push knowledge and skills, talk with references if possible-RELIABLE, consitstent presentation of visual- reinforces idea that you are a reliable worker/product of the workforce-Do "things" match? (IE does your SS Card have the same name as your Other info?)-Strong cover letters, pleasant attitudes, reliablity-Proof read your bloody resumes!-People don't care about your identity. That is your struggle. In the workplace, people care about your presentation, your reliability, your consistency, and the product/service you offer. Presentation sells the self to the public, not your own inner turmoil or years of soul searching.-Take constructive criticism-Identify bathroom use and culture-When doing phone interviews, give 100% attention-List blanks on resume for years, explain blanks, or list self employment clearlyYes, a lot of this is obvious stuff, but the BIGGEST one in my opinion was the idea of reliable presentation, no matter WHAT the presentation is. If you are a genderfucker in a suit, wear the suit with pride. If you are punk, be the best punk you can be. Sell yourself, be yourself, consistently. The most challenging thing for employers is flipping around randomly- guy one day, lady the next, andro the 3rd. Not a good plan, be consistent.A few interesting folks I got to spend time with:Reid Vanderburgh: http://www.transtherapist.com/ (fabulous Therapist and great brain)Aaron Raz Link (author, educator, great brain!)MJ Petroni http://www.causeit.org/ (life coach at uber hottie)Something that pissed me off there- Cell Phone USE! People, when they buy cell phones, should be forced to learn cell phone ettiquette. Turn your phone on vibrate in reastraunts, lectures, classes, etc. Answer them outside the space, do NOT chat at all on your phone in a lecture, thank you.