Pride Month 2023: How LGBTQ+ organizations can help you in your job search journey

It’s not uncommon to need a little extra help when looking for a job. Whether you’re asking your friends and family for advice, or reaching out to past colleagues for referrals, the job search can be more manageable with a good support system. But if you’re unsure where to turn for advice that’ll resonate with your specific case, getting in touch with professional organizations might be the way to go.

In 1983, Donna Cruciani was nonconsensually outed to her employer, ultimately leading her to a career of over 30 years creating FUSE, a group dedicated to fostering a safe environment to promote equal and non-discriminatory treatment of LGBTQ+ employees. While times have certainly changed since then, with more acceptance and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community, support is still needed. LGBTQ+ professional organizations play a crucial role in this space by advocating for equal rights and opportunities, providing mentorship, fostering networking, and offering job boards specific to the community. Armed with the spirit of Pride and unwavering resolve, Cruciani, now an LGBTQ+ career coach, is here to light the way path for LGBTQ+ job seekers.

Challenges for LGBTQ+ job seekers

When looking for a new job, LGBTQ+ individuals often encounter distinct challenges. From societal biases and discriminatory practices to environments lacking support, these obstacles form a complex landscape in their professional journey.

The application process and resume

One major challenge revolves around the resume and application process. Specifically, LGBTQ+ individuals may grapple with how much of their identity to reveal. For example, if you’ve held a leadership position in an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, deciding whether to include this can be tough. On the one hand, it’s relevant experience. On the other, it may open the door to bias or discrimination from potential employers who may not be supportive. Cruciani suggests looking for jobs in companies that have demonstrated commitment to equality and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community.

To do this, she advises identifying LGBTQ+-friendly employers through the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). “Check out the HRC Corporate Equality Index for the job you’re applying for and see how inclusive their workplace is. There’s also the HRC’s Municipal Equality Index to see if the city where you’re applying in is safe,” explains Cruciani. Looking through their social media can also be a way to filter bad actors, she adds. Furthermore, there are many LGBTQ+ job boards available, like Campus Pride, Pink Jobs, Diversity Working, and lgbt.net, which, according to Cruciani, are valuable starting points. Lgbtq-economics.org has a guide to resume writing and other career resources, including a job board. She also suggests finding and working with LGBTQ+-inclusive recruiters and career coaches and networking with others in the community to get their experience with disclosure in the resume and application process.

The interview

We’ve heard horror stories of inappropriate interview questions that don’t even border discrimination but high jump over it. In Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, No. 17-1618 (S. Ct. June 15, 2020), the Supreme Court held that not hiring and firing individuals because of their sexual orientation or transgender status violates Title VII’s prohibition on discrimination. “It’s about knowing your rights and preparing legally based responses when illegal questions arise,” advises Cruciani. She suggests using resources from the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or Lambda Legal to prepare for inappropriate questions and learn how to respond to them. Know the law and learn how to communicate it properly.

Deciding to disclose identity and sexual orientation during job interviews is another challenge. Cruciani emphasizes, “It’s all about how comfortable you are with the interviewer. Your first impression of them, their reaction when meeting you, and especially their body language are all factors in determining your stress level.” Working through your decision by networking and mentorship can help, explains Cruciani. It allows you to find a trusted professional to help with interview preparation and practice. Cruciani says reaching out to your local LGBTQ+ community centers is a great start. CenterLink is a good resource for finding local centers in your community.

Benefits and pay gaps

LGBTQ+ individuals often grapple with inequalities in career advancement and remuneration. The HRC Foundation conducted a study involving close to 7,000 full-time LGBTQ+ workers and discovered a pay disparity: these workers receive 90 cents for every dollar the average worker earns. As Cruciani explains, “The pay gap doesn’t only pertain to wages; it extends to benefits as well. If a company ranks low on the HRC CEI, there is probably a lack of LGBTQ+-related benefits, which contributes to an even greater disparity in pay.”

She advocates for strong negotiation skills as a critical tool for job seekers. She states, “Excellent negotiation skills enable you to articulate your value to potential employers and discuss what you anticipate in return from your employer. It’s essential to prepare well and understand the company’s expectations so you can demonstrate your commitment to their success.” To bolster these negotiation skills and fight against discrimination, Cruciani says mentorships and networking are invaluable for getting advice and practicing skills with someone you trust. Working with an LGBTQ+ career coach is another valuable way to improve negotiating skills.

LGBTQ+ employment resources through professional organizations

Many LGBTQ+ organizations, some specifically focused on employment assistance, provide a vast array of professional services—from mentorship and education to job boards, networking events, and advocacy—each designed to cater to the unique needs and concerns of the LGBTQ+ community. By leveraging these resources, LGBTQ+ individuals can feel supported in their professional journeys and get expert advice on discussing disclosure, negotiating skills, and interview preparation.

Top LGBTQ+ professional organizations

Some national organizations include:

• Out & Equal provides toolkits and guides on various topics, aiding job seekers in preparing resumes, handling interviews, and navigating the professional landscape as an LGBTQ+ individual. They also host an annual Workplace Summit, which presents valuable networking opportunities. Although attendance requires your workplace to be a partner, the summit allows participants to share their experiences, advice, and support. Their next workplace summit will be held from September 11th to the 14th in Orlando, Florida – at Disney – take that, Ron DeSantis!
• The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center is an NYC-based organization, though some events are virtual. The Center’s career services offer an exhaustive list of NYC-based and national resource organizations for employment opportunities, training, and support for transitioning in the workplace.

Alternatively, some legal organizations you could contact are:

• National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) provides comprehensive legal support for individuals experiencing workplace discrimination due to sexual orientation or gender identity. Their services range from explaining legal rights in the workplace to guiding individuals on how to file discrimination complaints and pursue legal action, if necessary, and insight into state-specific laws through their Legal Helpline.
• Lambda Legal is committed to achieving full recognition of civil rights for the LGBTQ+ community. Their Help Desk provides general legal information and resources on discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, and HIV status.

For recent grads, there are specific organizations tailored to your needs, including:

• Campus Pride offers invaluable resources for entry-level LGBTQ+ job seekers. Through their Job & Career Fair Program, Career Connect mentorship opportunities, and a dedicated job board, they provide an all-encompassing platform for networking with LGBTQ+-friendly employers and gaining advice from accomplished LGBTQ+ professionals.

Lastly, some employment-centered organizations are:

• Out Professionals is one of the leading networking groups for LGBTQ+ professionals in the US. They provide seminars, workshops, and networking events, proving beneficial for job seekers in resume writing, interview preparation, and career advancement or re-skilling, including virtual events like Open-Mic Career Coaching Sessions.
• StartOut is dedicated to advancing LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs by providing networking opportunities, mentorships, and career coaching for LGBTQ+ job seekers interested in building a startup. You can book a session with experts on various topics, including fundraising, marketing, legal, HR, PR, and more.
• Queer Tech fosters networking, knowledge sharing, and career development, focusing on recent graduates and individuals transitioning into the tech industry. Their QT Academy equips candidates with the necessary skills to navigate the tech ecosystem and unlock opportunities, further complemented by their job board that lists open positions in the sector.
• Out to Innovate provides peer support, advocacy, education, and professional development to LGBTQ+ professionals in STEM. They offer Career Development Workshops and mentoring opportunities for job seekers in STEM.

Advancing inclusivity and diversity in the job market

These organizations are available to LGBTQ+ job hunters year-round, not just during Pride Month. However, now is the perfect time to get familiar with what’s available to you so you’re ready to go the next time you’re looking for a job. These organizations play a pivotal role in professional development and are paving the way to a more fair and equitable job market. From mentoring to resume-writing resources, they’ll be your best resource on the job hunt. So browse what’s out there and see which organization matches your job-hunting needs best—you’ll thank yourself later!

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