Should I Come Out As LGBTQ At My Job Interview?

It’s the ultimate question for many LGBTQ people at a job interview. Should you come out? Could it hurt your chances of getting your dream job?

After all, what does your sexuality or gender identity have to do with your ability to do the job?

And your instant response is on point. At face value, they don’t. So why should you still do it?

The advice of some of the U.K.’s most inclusive employers is to never hide your true identity when applying for roles. And it’s mirrored by National Student Pride’s Director of Strategy Max Taylor:

“Top employers are well aware that starting a new job requires a process of fitting in.

“Hiding something authentic about yourself in a job interview will only limit yourself as you travel along the process. You’ll feel like you’ve got a secret to tell.

“If it’s not normally a secret, it may weight on your mind as you try to fit in.”

If you do get the job offer but didn’t feel able to come out at the interview, you have to ask yourself: ‘Is this somewhere that will support my LGBTQ identity at work?’

After all, you are the talent they need to succeed. Businesses that are diverse are the ones that thrive. That’s now an established fact, in addition to being common sense.

Coming out at a job interview doesn’t have to be a big moment. It could be as subtle as mentioning your partner. You could share your queer interests or talk about your favourite pride event.

It could even be something you introduce in your application. Look for organisations that encourage applications from LGBTQ people in job adverts.

National Student Pride, the U.K.’s biggest LGBTQ careers fair is back for the first time in person since the pandemic April 8-10th.

Alongside a weekend of parties, panels and frivolity – businesses vying for the LGBTQ student and graduate talent tell those in attendance why sharing authenticity in your identity is key to getting your dream job.

This is just some of the advice you can expect to hear at National Student Pride’s ‘Out At Work’ panel this year.

What inclusive employers and students say about coming out as LGBTQ at a job interview:

Matt Tudball, Senior Editor, Recycling at ICIS and Co-lead of the PROUD@RSG ERG:

“I would say it’s fine to come out during an interview but only if you are comfortable to do so. I have heard from several new starters in my current company who were not sure if they should come out, but this is where signposting that your company is an LGBTQ+ inclusive space is so important.

“Some of our employees wear rainbow lanyards, and we have artwork displaying our Pride Employee Resource Group logo around the office, so this can help candidates know we are an inclusive company.

“I do remember that my sexuality was quite close to the front of my mind during my interview for my current role, but that was probably because I was expecting some kind of question about my wife or girlfriend to come up during the ‘small talk’ part of the process.

“But this was ten years ago, and I’m pretty sure that interviewers now would be using more gender-neutral language when asking about a candidate. I was able to come out by talking about my partner and what ‘he’ does, and where ‘he’ works, but I do remember that rush of anxiety as I worried about whether I had done the right thing – but I got the job and have not needed to hide any part of myself at work so it was definitely the right thing to do.

“There could be times where it is important to highlight your sexuality during an interview, especially if a role may require relocation to a different country, or if you may be travelling to regions that do not support LGBTQ communities.

“This could be a good opportunity to ‘challenge’ the company’s D&I strategy by asking how it would support you as an employee if you were ever in a business situation where your sexuality became an issue with a customer or client, and how it would protect you from any potential outcome of losing a business deal, for example. I would hope this is a very rare occurrence, but it could happen.”

Matt Fairclough, Partner at Clifford Chance:

“When candidates’ ask me about this my advice is always the same – being your authentic self at interview is one of the best things you can do.

“An interview is a two-way process where an employer can get insights into the unique and valuable perspective you’ll bring to the firm, and you can ask questions to ensure the firms culture and values align with yours.

“Candidates should aim to leave an interview feeling confident the firm is a place where they will be happy, thrive, and feel valued.

“If you aren’t your true self at interview it can be difficult to get to know the firm beyond pride flags on corporate websites and brochures, and if it makes a difference to the employer then it’s probably not the right firm for you regardless of the outcome!

“I came out later in my career and really wish I’d done that earlier, and been more authentic and true to myself from the very start at the interview stage with employers.

“I certainly know that at my firm that would have been met with nothing but positivity. I’m fortunate to have found myself working in such an inclusive firm.”

Dr Gus Bussmann, IDEA Manager at lululemon

“Being out as part of your interview will allow you to sense the company’s commitment to creating environments where people can thrive, regardless of their identities or expressions.

“It is important for us, part of the LGBTQ community, to be reassured that we can unapologetically bring our whole selves to work and feel that our identities are celebrated in the workplace.”

Maisy Neale, student at Birmingham City University and National Student Pride committee

“For me, being queer is an integral part of my previous work and volunteering experience, so if applicable I would naturally come out in an interview to share how I would be suitable for the role.

“I think it’s important to assess the interviewing situation and research the company prior to know whether it is safe to come out. Perhaps, I am more likely to ask about their approach to LGBTQ Inclusion in an interview first.”

Aaron Cho, MBA student at London Business School

“If you are comfortable, I definitely believe so. At the end of the day, you are likely looking for a place to work where you can be our authentic selves – that’s where you will be happiest and perform your best. “

“If the person interviewing you takes issue with you because you are LGBTQ, that probably isn’t the place you would want to work anyway. With that being said, interviews are very high stress situations.”

“If the thought of coming out during an interview creates undue stress and would risk impair your performance during the other parts of the interview, perhaps its something you leave for later in the recruitment process.”

The ‘Out at Work’ panel in association with EUROUT and Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) is on the Next Stage of National Student Pride on Saturday 9th April, tickets are free.

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