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Original poster

LGBT & applying for a job? Please advise

16 replies

CheekySnippet · 10/10/2018 15:30

I've found a job I love the sound of. They specify they're particularly interested to hear from LGBT applicants & those with mental health issues. I qualify on both of those counts. I have two issues. One, how much of my mental health do I admit to? Because it's something you'd normally minimise or not even mention at all. Secondly, my sexuality has nothing to do with the job whatsoever, so I feel weird mentioning it. But on the other hand, if it earns me brownie points? Where/how exactly do you mention your orientation in a job application? They've asked for CV & covering letter only. Do I discretely put 'Lesbian' under my name & address?

OP posts:

Sethis · 10/10/2018 15:35

What's the job? Why do they want to know?

sexnotgender · 10/10/2018 15:36

That’s odd to specify those 2 requirements! What type of job is it?

Zucker · 10/10/2018 15:36

Oh FFS I hope you're on a wind up! Prey tell what brownie points do you think are to be had?

Silvercatowner · 10/10/2018 15:36

Unless it is a protected area (ie a fairly specialised job) I don't think they can ask for specific stuff can they? I think I'd be running a mile.....

NoodleEatingPoodle · 10/10/2018 15:42

In the cover letter you'd typically say why you think you'd be a good fit for the role / company. Just include something along the line that the job posting indicates that they see value in having a workforce with diverse lived experiences, and that this appealed to you because... [insert whatever makes your particular lived experience seem most like an asset].

Original poster

CheekySnippet · 10/10/2018 15:48

I don't want to say what/where the job is but it's in the care sector. They do say in their advert 'We particularly welcome LGBT applicants & those with a mental health condition'. I think they're just saying they're really inclusive. It had me stumped a bit because I'm not sure how to address this in my covering letter.

OP posts:

KatyN · 10/10/2018 15:59

They can't ask for those qualities as a diversity measure so you don't just want to say 'yep I'm LBGT and I have MH issues. Boom'. There has to be something in the job that makes an LGBT applicant with MH conditions more suited for the job. I would try and play that into my covering letter.
for example 'I can relate to the issues those with MH conditions experience in our society due to personal experience'.. or something similarly wooly. You don't need to give your diagnoses, or specify your sexual preference.
That said, if you are called to interview you might be asked further questions about your experience and if you don't want to disclose you'll need some snazzy answers lined up.

hope that makes sense. good luck!

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 10/10/2018 16:02

I've seen 'candidates with lived experience in xyz' in job ads and I think that's clearer and something that's then easy to weave into an application or letter. If you can't see why your sexuality or MH relates to the job then it's going to be pretty hard to weave that in naturally! Sounds like they're diversity box ticking - that doesn't mean you would be wrong to take advantage of it though.

TheMarbleFaun · 10/10/2018 16:05

It may be an equal opportunities thing as here in N.I a job advertisement might say "would particularly welcome applications from the Catholic or protestant community" as we have special legislation here. You would have to fill in a separate monitoring form but wouldn't mention it on any application form or covering letter

Sitranced · 10/10/2018 16:11

Sounds like they're just trying to appear inclusive on their advert.

chocolateworshipper · 10/10/2018 22:54

They can take positive action if particular diversity groups are under-represented in that industry. It may mean that they will definitely offer you an interview so long as you meet all of the criteria. You could always include a line that says something like "I meet the criteria for applicants that you particularly welcome"

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 10/10/2018 23:32

Is there an equal opportunities monitoring form that gets filled in at the same time as the job application?

DancingForTheDog · 10/10/2018 23:43

I think they're just saying they're really inclusive. I think they're just saying they have a minority group target to hit.

VanGoghsDog · 10/10/2018 23:51

'lived experience' is such a wanky prase, it's meaningless. They sound like he the kind of employer that would love you to use such language.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 11/10/2018 11:48

@VanGoghsDog I totally agree, but at least it gives you an open door to say 'hey, you said you wanted someone gay, I'm gay so hire me for all my lived experience' which is less cringe than sort of weaving it in accidentally. I mean, how do you include it otherwise?

AdamNichol · 11/10/2018 12:38

It's an attempt at (at least appearing to) being inclusive.

Ordinarily, you'd fill out a diversity recording form as part of the application; but this is not allowed to be considered as part of the shortlisting process, and has to be separated.

Many firms are trying to move to double-blind recruitment, where no reference to age, gender, race, sex, etc, is available to the shortlisters. I'm not sure how they deal with that info being in the suitability of candidate / employment experience responses though

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