Careers where you can dress full time

[MeganHenry]

Any suggestions on careers where you could dress full time? Or companies that are ok with dressing?

[Nicole Brown]

Hi Megan,

You might want to check out this website for job opportunities.

http://www.lbgtjobs.com/a/jobs/find-jobs

It appears that some of the major department stores, along with some rather surprising other companies post job offerings on this site. Just fill in a zip code and determine the distance you are willing to travel and start looking. Good luck...

[linda allen]

Unless you work at a nudist colony, you're going to have to dress for work! :heehee:

Oh, you probably mean dress as a female when you're actually male. Well, some jobs can be done from home so you could look into that type of job. You could look for a job in a crossdressing store. I've heard of some crossdressers working at Walmart.

On most "regular" jobs, your employer is going to want you to be thinking about and doing your job, not thinking about crossdressing. They would rather not deal with the friction and "drama" that a crossdressing employee might create.

[Angela Campbell]

It would be nice to be able to go to work as a woman though wouldn't it. I can only dream. Then again a Nudist colony would be fun too.

[kimdl93]

You might consider working from home. I do and as a result, I dress almost full time!

[Beverley Sims]

On most "regular" jobs, your employer is going to want you to be thinking about and doing your job, not thinking about crossdressing. They would rather not deal with the friction and "drama" that a crossdressing employee might create.

And this is where the problem is. Employees do not want the disruption X dressing could create.
This has been discussed about six months ago I think.
The subject has been discussed at length before a few times.

[BillieJoEllen]

Years ago we had a retail store in this city and they had a SA that ran the cash register. It was a 'he' but most people would look at him and wonder if he was male or female. Put a skirt on him and he would've passed 100%. Talk about a lost opportunity.

At a big toy store in Chicago about ten years ago they had a young man that went to work 'en femme'. She didn't do a lot to enhance her feminine side though. It appeared she got along very well with her fellow employees. I wanted to stop and talk to her but I was with others and didn't want to open up any suspicion.

[sterling12]

I know it's obvious, but female impersonators/drag queens are considered to be "employed." Since there are no laws that would likely effect you, you could go to and from, and pretty much be 24/7, if you decided to make it A Career. But beware! Drag Queens start to age, and then you become unemployable. So, we need to come up with a "Fall-Back Career" after your have used up your time. From "Show Boat" I think...."Life upon The Wicked Stage, ain't nothin' for a Girl!"

Peace and Love, Joanie

[Vickie_CDTV]

If you can get a job working with trans people (as I do, though not exclusively), you could probably dress FT and being trans might even be a positive. Being a cosmetologist, electrologist, or working in a store that caters to the trans community for example. Unfortunately, those jobs are very few and far between.

[STACY B]

What about a Job on a TG or CD cruse ship ?

[Kathleen Ann Trees]

I've seen transgendered people working in restaurants, coffee shops, retail shops (usually smaller niche shops), and jewelry shops. If you are really out and don't mind about what people think, you really can try just about anything. I can see where a manufacturing facility might be okay or how about a home or commercial cleaning company. If you are a good worker, conscienceous, and add value to the company... and they don't want you... you don't want them!

Good luck
Kathleen Ann

[Lvjim]

Vegas is now home to drink and drag
I think they said either vegas or drink and
drag is the largest employer of drag queens
in the U.S

[Jennifer Devine]

I went to work as a woman once a few years ago and loved it! It was a Wear Red day so i put on my dark red wig, make-up, black and pink t-shirt and women's jeans!
The looks of the faces of the customers were priceless lol Even had a few of my colleagues ask for make-up advice! lol

[ArleneRaquel]

I'm ready to be a 64 year old Vegas stripper, wearing my cat's eyes silver or leopard frames LOL ! :eek::heehee:

[NicoleScott]

Show up for the job interview en femme, explain that you are transgendered, and ask "you don't have a company policy that allows discrimination against transgendered people, do you?"

[sterling12]

I forgot! And we even have A Franchise right here in Ybor City. How about Hamburger Mary's?

Who would have imagined so many opportunities!

Peace and Love, Joanie

[Lorileah]

I am not sure that I get the question. If you are going to present full time, in other words, you are 24/7, then any job would/should be open to you. BUT if you are think Monday you will wear a dress and then Thursday you will show up as a guy, I would say virtually NONE. You don't have to wear a dress everyday, nor heels but swapping back and forth at will would make most employers cringe.

Most large corporations have HR departments who have set rules that will allow you if you are planning on transitioning. The ones who are Gay and Lesbian inclusive will be more likely (And I don't care if you are or are NOT gay...that isn't the point. The point is that thgays and lesbians have fought for those rights so in most cases TG will be included)

The other question I have is what you mean by "dressed"? You want to work in a service industry where the women wear let's say white shirts and black skirts. Then you should be able to do that. You want to be a firefighter in a mini and 6" heels...probably not. I would also suspect that you could not wear a wig on that job, but if you had you natural hair styled to meet requirements then wearing a woman's shirt and slacks would be allowed.

In my profession, the men and women basically dress the same, so it would not be an issue. The question would be the make up and wig, which technically would not effect the job. But a skirt when you are out vaccinating cattle would raise a few eyebrows

[ArleneRaquel]

Maybe I should apply for a job at Hooters ! :heehee: :tongueout

[lingerieLiz]

If you are self employed you can wear what ever you like. I know of an accountant that dressed in fem. There was a mayor/city manager that dressed and transitioned. Town kept him last I heard. Software industry is pretty tolerant. Being full time and consistent is probably a requirement. Being Bill today and Billie tomorrow might confuse people. I was in a fiberglass plant one time and they had a guy working that had on a thin light T-shirt with a very pretty bra on under it. First time I saw it I thought it might be a joke. Second time I figured it was regular attire. I used to want to work in a lingerie store so I could wear everything and help the young pretty girls try on. Then I realized it wouldn't pay well enough to wear the stuff and customers weren't all young, pretty, or even women.

[Miriam-J]

Many large corporations have policies that would protect you from company actions against a cross-dresser. These policies would also protect you from overt harassment from fellow employees. But there's little they could do to suppress quieter or sneakier attacks, silent exclusion from opportunities, or whispered comments. Our out-of-the-closet Gay and Lesbian friends endure this everyday, and it might be even harsher for us.

If this is a path you want to choose, I'd suggest either joining the company when already crossdressed or shifting to this mode in coordination with HR. This will minimize your problems.

It would be much spottier with smaller operations since protections are considerably more open to the whims of the owners and managers.

Miriam

[STACY B]

I can 't Believe you Lady's ?? Every one of you have been all over it an Never said it ,,Came close ,,But never said what the best job for a CD would be ,, Private dick !! You can wear all kinds of costumes . So now you lady's know ,,, Another Problem Solved by the Wonderful an Talented STACY B ,,,Thank you ,,, Thank you Very Much ,,, LOL PS,,, I am also taking Applacation for my cruse ship ,,,,

[suchacutie]

Everyone mentioned female impersonation and such, but all the places where these performances occur need bartenders and waitresses! Seems like a natural!

[Clorissa]

The best career by far is IT, wear you own hair long but tied back on the job. And maintain an excellent job reputation. Become indespensible no matter how you look.

Clorissa

[stephNE]

I own my little business, but dont dress at work. I rely heavily on who I meet and cant take a chance turning them off. But I do underdress - panties and hose many days.

[JiveTurkeyOnRye]

I know it's obvious, but female impersonators/drag queens are considered to be "employed." Since there are no laws that would likely effect you, you could go to and from, and pretty much be 24/7, if you decided to make it A Career. But beware! Drag Queens start to age, and then you become unemployable. So, we need to come up with a "Fall-Back Career" after your have used up your time. From "Show Boat" I think...."Life upon The Wicked Stage, ain't nothin' for a Girl!"

Peace and Love, Joanie

I wouldn't consider drag queen as a serious lucrative career option, most make little to no money and do it as a labor of love. They might make some side cash or free drinks but there's definitely not very good odds of getting a living wage and those who do make some bank do so because of drive and talent as opposed to just wanting to dress up for work. Technically I can crossdress to work when I do stand up comedy as well but since I live in an oversaturated market for comedy I make no money doing it (I used to make about half my living off it in the midwest.)

I do have a day job where I can cross-dress and it hasn't been an issue at all. I transcribe audio from video for closed captioning and I work in an office where we have very little customer interaction, mostly people just dropping off tapes or hard drives. As long as I get my work done on time my boss doesn't care what I wear.

[larry]

Is this a pun ??best job for a CD would be ,, Private dick



I can 't Believe you Lady's ?? Every one of you have been all over it an Never said it ,,Came close ,,But never said what the best job for a CD would be ,, Private dick !! You can wear all kinds of costumes . So now you lady's know ,,, Another Problem Solved by the Wonderful an Talented STACY B ,,,Thank you ,,, Thank you Very Much ,,, LOL PS,,, I am also taking Applacation for my cruse ship ,,,,

[STACY B]

Is this a pun ??best job for a CD would be ,, Private dick



STOPPPPPPPPPPPPP ,,,,LOL,,,,,,It's PG13 HERE !!! Be Good ,,,Investigator !!

[Deedee Skyblue]

You might find work at a place like the Glamour Boutique, or Micahel Salem's, or someplace like that.

[Ressie]

I always thought it would be fun to be a hair stylist - en femme

[MeganHenry]

I am not sure that I get the question. If you are going to present full time, in other words, you are 24/7, then any job would/should be open to you. BUT if you are think Monday you will wear a dress and then Thursday you will show up as a guy, I would say virtually NONE. You don't have to wear a dress everyday, nor heels but swapping back and forth at will would make most employers cringe.

Most large corporations have HR departments who have set rules that will allow you if you are planning on transitioning. The ones who are Gay and Lesbian inclusive will be more likely (And I don't care if you are or are NOT gay...that isn't the point. The point is that thgays and lesbians have fought for those rights so in most cases TG will be included)

The other question I have is what you mean by "dressed"? You want to work in a service industry where the women wear let's say white shirts and black skirts. Then you should be able to do that. You want to be a firefighter in a mini and 6" heels...probably not. I would also suspect that you could not wear a wig on that job, but if you had you natural hair styled to meet requirements then wearing a woman's shirt and slacks would be allowed.

In my profession, the men and women basically dress the same, so it would not be an issue. The question would be the make up and wig, which technically would not effect the job. But a skirt when you are out vaccinating cattle would raise a few eyebrows

Sorry I should have clarified...It was early...I'm in the professional services industry, sales of professional services. It makes sense all or nothing. Not guy one day and gal the next...I guess I'm dreaming to think I could wear feminine clothes and present as a man and swing to an extreme and dress as a woman from time to time. It's all or nothing...Maybe a career change and full time as a gal? Who knows...thanks for the insight, thoughts and jokes!

The cruise ship idea is pretty good :)

Thanks girls!
Megan

[jjjjohanne]

Big companies have generous diversity policies. Your co-workers may or may not. Small companies in the city will have more liberal social perspectives, I predict. Government jobs will follow the big company trend. CD's are not common in society because we are bashful. It is not because society is shutting us down. It is us, and our concerns about our wives' and friends' opinions. The general public doesn't care what you do.

[Sarasometimes]

I think geograpgy plays a part in this. In a big city that is progressive you might find more opportunities to CD like NYC and LA, SF. The beauty industry is rather liberal in views related to gender expression and they may even allow you to do the guy/girl switch but thos places are going to be rare. I once went with a GF of mine in the '80's to a salon in NYC and there were guys dressed as girls and vice versa. The receptionist was a guy with makeup, wearing women's clothes with a goatee. When we were waiting he was talking about the girls phone numbers he got at a bar the night before. Oh yeah her hair came out beautifully too!

[linda allen]

Big companies have generous diversity policies. Your co-workers may or may not. Small companies in the city will have more liberal social perspectives, I predict. Government jobs will follow the big company trend. CD's are not common in society because we are bashful. It is not because society is shutting us down. It is us, and our concerns about our wives' and friends' opinions. The general public doesn't care what you do.

There's a very big difference between the person who is transitioning and living full time as a female and the crossdresser who might want to show up dressed as a male one day and a female the next. That's just something employers will not put up with.

As far as the public, if an employee is dealing with the public in person, then it could be a big issue. Customers who, for whatever reason don't like crossdressers will take their business elsewhere.

Assuming this is a serious post, we have to remember that we are dealing with the real world and real people, not the world as we might wish it would be.

[DeeInGeorgia]

I need to agree with those that talk about the consistent gender presentation. the corporation I work for allows me to dress at work, but I must be consistent in my presentation. I am not transsexual and not full time presenting as female. But at work every day I have to present as female.

[Beverley Sims]

I am not sure whether this has drifted off topic from the original post or not, it is still interesting though.
I agree if you obtain employment dressed you can not change your image at will.
Once a girl always a girl.

[MeganHenry]

I feel that the feminine me is more geared towards my strengths, natural abilities and personality as far as work goes. In my male role I hold back, put up a wall and I'm not myself or it takes time for me to be myself. I feel my feminine side is more outgoing friendly and such. It seems like for my entire male career I have swam up stream trying to chase after success with limited results. It's like I'm fighting to be something that I'm not...

[Loni]

Hi Megan,

You might want to check out this website for job opportunities.

http://www.lbgtjobs.com/a/jobs/find-jobs

It appears that some of the major department stores, along with some rather surprising other companies post job offerings on this site. Just fill in a zip code and determine the distance you are willing to travel and start looking. Good luck...

sad most (if not all) of the jobs on that web site pay less than what i get driving a truck. and those jobs require four years of collage.
only ones i might be able to do, pay way too little to even rent a cheap apt, in the low life dist.

loni

.

[BobbieB]

I started dressing 20 years ago 24/7. Retired from my job moved to another state and opened a small print shop as a female.
I have had a few customers say something. But no big deal. That was the best thing I ever did. No more hiding my true self.

[MeganHenry]

Foe me...I think if for some crazy reason my current career were to end or change drastically I'd want to be a hairstylist. Go to school and then get a job as the CD stylist for women.

[noeleena]

HI,

Depends on how far you take it, so ill just use dressed on the job this is with in the building industry, as a builder / joiner, & self emplyed, percived as a male & known as a woman, ether way no difference,

Known for over 15 years by many men by builders surplyers other firms & those i worked for & still do,in & around Waimate, where i live, my work experance is over 46 years, both as male / female,

If you know your trade know what your about & have a good attitude then wether your male or female wheres the problem,

Over in Austraila i sold tree's & shrubery , plants, & no one i talked to carered less how i was dressed, at the time as a woman & i had a good repore with all i had contact with, know what your talking about have an interest in the person concerned & you can make a sale so long as you can back up what your on about,

Again no issues or problems, & why should there be, & to put it in perspective i was accepted for who i was not based on my clothes, , get the point its about you the person, not the clothes, if you base who you are on clothes then youv lost it,

I work with many people & know many more, they know who i am & those who dont soon do as they talk ...with ...you. they look past what you have on & see you know & understand what your on about,

i can wear my skirts or my shorts with a tee, sunhat sneakers maybe eyebrow liner & lippy or no makeup, makes no difference, i still get a good response from people, are you out going get along with people . have a laugh,

Iv proved it both ways, its not what you wear its who you are as a person,

...noeleena...

[Rogina B]

And with Hamburger Mary's,you can be onstage or behind the bar or serving tables,etc! Doesn't get much better than that if you want to do it.
I forgot! And we even have A Franchise right here in Ybor City. How about Hamburger Mary's?

Who would have imagined so many opportunities!

Peace and Love, Joanie

[MeganHenry]

I love the last line of your post.."I've proved both ways, it's not what you wear it's who you are as a person" that should be the CD, TG, TS motto/slogan.

[Claire Cook]

How about working for TRANS World Airlines? Oh, I forgot, they went under, but I'd have loved to be one of their flight attendants!

Seriously, like Lorileah I'm confused by your question. Is this different than going 24/7?