Job interview and disclosing sexuality?

Question

Okay next Wed Ive got a job interview. I got the interview through an agency. Im a lesbian, though not a sterotypical one, so its not obvious from looking at me!!
Should I mention to the agency or say anything at the job interview? I am not prepared to hide my sexuality - though I dont walk around with Pride flags on me, but if they ask me about my partner, Im not going to lie. I would rather not get the job then 3 months down the line find Im stuck with homophobes.
Ive researched the company and my would be boss is a Catholic (which doesnt generally go well with homosexuality!)
Any clues? Should I say something now, at the interview, or just keep my mouth closed???

Answer 1

I decided a long time ago that if anyone asked me about my sexulity, I would tell them the truth. I have stuck with this since and it has never done me any harm, including in job interviews. They don't usually delve into your private life for most jobs anyway so there shouldn't be a problem.
If the subject does come up, and the potential employer is homophobic then you are better off not working there anyway.
Although it is now illegal to discriminate at work on the basis of sexuality, in practice it would be very difficult to prove that you didn't get the job because you are gay. You would be better off working with someone who is more mature and employs people for their skills and not their lifestyles. This is the 21st century!
Good luck on Wednesday!!

Answer 2

You should NOT be asked about your sexuality. Believe me - I've been to quite a few interviews - and have been registered with many agencies. If they ask some glib question at the interview like "ever been married" you can deflect it by saying not married but have a partner or used to have a partner but not at the moment. There will be no need to get all Millie Tant (as in Viz) about it - just smile and say things are up in the air at the moment on that one if you don't feel like giving much away - they should hopefully quickly move on. If you get defensive or aggressive it may mean they won't consider you for the role. Mind you, if you don't like the look of the guy and decide you don't want the job after all, why not mention it whenever possible to wind him up!

Answer 3

My advice is to just keep your mouth closed. They should not be asking you about your home life. In an interview If they ask if you are married then you can say yes or no and volunteer no other information. If they press then by all means do not hide your sexuality but your sexuality has nothing to do with whether you can do the job or not and as such is not really worth mentioning.
If they make an issue of it you can always say well I was afraid of discrimination. You probably would not get the job anyway at that point but you would not want to have to deal with it as you stated.

Answer 4

Why should you have to hide your sexuality. If it ever came to light that this company discriminated against you because of this there would be a legal suit in the post to them. They are interviewing you for your skills and what you can offer to the company. If they ask you at the interview what your current situation is you can say that you live with your partner or you have a steady partner and how long you been together. By the time they get round to asking you personal questions about you they have already made up their minds if you can do the job or not. You should be able to judge how well the interview is going by their body language and facial expressions. I'm sure you are already 80% there with the job or you would not be at the interview stage. I know this as I've been in the recruitment industry for 5 years.

Update: It is not illegal for a company to ask you personal questions about your home life. They can ask for anything they like. They cannot discriminate against you because of the answers. You are also entitled to see (by request) any personal files that are kept about you. This can be obtained with a little legal knowledge. They also can ask you what your hobbies & interests are as well as they want to see if you do any dangerous sports or activities that is going to prevent you going in to work on the Monday morning.

Answer 5

You are not obliged to disclose anything about your sexuality at a job interview. If they ask (and why should they?) you can tell or refuse it is up to you.

You seem to be concerned about being stuck with a load of homophobes once you get the job but remember that harrassment or dismissal due to your sexuality is against the law. You have no less rights than any other worker there.

Calm down, relax, enjoy the interview, remember that they are not trying to catch you out and they want to employ you - that's why they called you to interview.

Have a good time there and I hope you get the job

Answer 6

In Job Search Workshops, where one learns how to locate the right kind of job and cinch the interview, we've been instructed to behave like a professional. This means staying focused upon ONLY those matters concerned w/the position.
When the interviewer asks, "do you have children?" or assumes I do, or it slipped that I do, and asks, "do you have childcare?", my response is to be, "my personal life is structured such that I'll have no problem giving you the time you require." It's appropriate to be evasive, if you're addressing the professional issues. It's professional to respond with a statement like, " I think it's illegal to ask that, although after I'm hired I'm more likely to be candid about myself." Many times the i'viewer is testing you to see how you respond.
Now, if you'd really like to secure that they'll support your lifestyle, you may wish to let this come out during i'view. Your call. Or, you can keep it to the legal basics, and consider an ongoing search for a different agency/business to work for . . . maybe you'll find a woman-owned/operated place. Online research might provide sources. Best of luck. ps/I wouldn't tell, I'd surprise 'em! :)

Answer 7

Lady, neither the Job Agency or the person whom you will be interviewing need to know about your sexuality. Trust me I've worked in HR for major corporations. I've screened resumes, set in on interviews, and held interviews on my own. The quickest way of losing the attention of any proper interviewer with a perspective company; is to announce personal information that isn't relative to your specific task being considered, for hire.

Never include special interest such as religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or other such data on a resume or in an interview. Why do I need to know who you sleep with, or church you attend, etc, when considering you for a position as my accountant, chief, or other positions. The only exceptions; would be if you were being considered for a Officer's or other high end professional positions, for public affiliations. Finally, so what if the person you will be working for is a Catholic. If they are professional, the job comes first and personal likes and dislikes are often left at the company door.

Answer 8

Firstly, the company shouldn't ask you anything about religion/sexuality etc. for discrimatory reasons! If they do, you shouldn't work there in my opinion!

For the record, I'm Catholic (well born Catholic) and I'm gay. I also don't go around with rainbow flags but I don't hide it either. In my experience, its easier when they get to know you because people are often not as prejudiced then (ie personality wins out most of the time).

Also, don't make the assumption that he's homophobic because he is Catholic!

So, go for the interview, your sexuality is your own business and good luck with it!

Answer 9

They can't ask you directly or indirectly about your sexuality, you can, however, volunteer the information. They can't not give you the job based on your sexuality, but let's face it, the company will know better than that so if they aren't going to employ you because you're a lesbian they are going to give the excuse that someone else was better qualified/experienced.

If you do get the job and then find yourself working for homophobes you might be able to report them for sexual harassment/discrimination.

Personally I just don't tell as it won't have any relevance on whether I can do the job or not (case in point: I used to teach English in a convent school, I just didn't share about my personal life!).

Answer 10

Your ability to do a job has nothing to do with your sexuality. No one should disclose their sexuality during or as a result of a job interview.
Your job is no place for sex, sexual discussions or sexuality. Unless it's for a ultra-concervative organization, then maybe I might rethink wanting to work there in the first place.

But other than that, no. It's none of their business.

I don't know what state you live in, but in my state one can not be hired or fired based on their sexuality or ASSUMED sexuality. But, since this is also an "At will" employment state, an employer can fire you for being gay but say it was because of some other reason and get away with it.

Simply don't call attention to your sexuality. If an employer does confront you because of it, you can claim sexual harassment. They can also in turn say you are creating a sexually charged atmosphere by coming out in the work place.

Again, keep it to yourself. It has nothing to do with your job or how well you perform at your job.