Job & Career Guide for LGBTQ+ Candidates from Resume Builder

Job & Career Guide for LGBTQ+ Candidates is a Resume Builder resource that supports LGBTQ+ job seekers as they navigate the job search, evaluate employers, prepare application materials, and interview with confidence. The guide covers important topics such as workplace rights, researching inclusive employers, writing resumes and cover letters, preparing for interviews, and finding LGBTQ+ candidate resources by state.

This resource can help students better understand how to search for opportunities where they feel respected, supported, and able to bring their authentic selves to work.

The guide covers topics such as:

  • Knowing your rights as an LGBTQ+ job seeker
  • Evaluating whether a workplace is inclusive and supportive
  • Researching employers before applying
  • Identifying LGBTQ+ friendly industries and employers
  • Deciding whether and how to include LGBTQ+ experiences on a resume or cover letter
  • Using preferred names and pronouns in application materials
  • Preparing for interviews
  • Asking questions about workplace culture, inclusion, policies, and benefits
  • Following up after interviews
  • Finding LGBTQ+ job candidate resources by state

Know your rights

The guide explains that LGBTQ+ job seekers have federal employment protections under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 following the Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County. This means employers cannot make hiring, firing, promotion, compensation, or other employment decisions based on a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Understanding these protections can help job seekers advocate for themselves during the search process.

Evaluating job opportunities

The guide encourages LGBTQ+ candidates to research potential employers carefully. Students can review an organization’s website, mission, values, diversity and inclusion policies, leadership pages, news, events, and social media presence to look for signs of LGBTQ+ support and inclusion. The guide also recommends using LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, Google searches, personal networks, and the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index to better understand workplace culture and policies.

When researching employers, students may want to look for:

  • Clear nondiscrimination policies
  • LGBTQ+ inclusive benefits
  • Employee Resource Groups
  • Diversity and inclusion statements
  • LGBTQ+ representation in leadership
  • Participation in Pride events or LGBTQ+ community initiatives
  • Positive employee reviews about workplace culture
  • Recognition from LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations
  • Evidence of allyship from managers and employees

Writing resumes and cover letters

The guide explains that LGBTQ+ candidates may need to make personal decisions about whether to include LGBTQ+ community involvement, advocacy, volunteer work, pronouns, or a preferred name on application materials. A resume is a professional marketing document, so students may use their preferred name and may include pronouns if they choose. The guide also recommends tailoring resumes and cover letters to each employer, highlighting transferable skills, and emphasizing achievements that connect directly to the role.

Students may choose to include LGBTQ+ community involvement if it demonstrates relevant experience, leadership, volunteerism, advocacy, collaboration, or work with diverse populations. The guide reminds readers to consider personal safety, comfort level, industry, location, and employer culture when deciding what to disclose.

Interviewing and following up

The guide describes interviews as both a chance for employers to learn about candidates and a chance for candidates to learn about employers. Students are encouraged to research the company, practice common interview questions, prepare examples that highlight their skills, and present themselves professionally.

During interviews, students can also gather information about workplace culture by asking thoughtful questions and observing the environment. They may ask about inclusion efforts, employee resource groups, benefits, workplace policies, professional growth opportunities, and how the organization supports employees from different backgrounds. After the interview, students should send a personalized thank-you message that reiterates their interest and references something discussed during the conversation.

This resource is useful for students who want to:

  • Better understand LGBTQ+ workplace protections
  • Research whether employers are inclusive
  • Prepare resumes and cover letters thoughtfully
  • Decide how to present identity-related experiences or pronouns
  • Ask stronger questions during interviews
  • Find employers and industries with stronger LGBTQ+ inclusion practices
  • Navigate the job search with more confidence and self-awareness

Students can use this guide alongside Villanova Career Center resources, Handshake, LinkedIn, Nova Network, employer research tools, and career advising appointments to build a thoughtful and informed job or internship search strategy.

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