Students at event
Students at event
Students at event
Home — University Life — Current Students — Career Development — Inclusive Career & Community Resources — LGBTQ+ Career Development & Resources

LGBTQ+ Career Development & Resources

“...Research shows that the queer population if out on their resume and/or in the hiring process will receive 40% fewer callbacks for an interview and then when offered a compensation package it will be roughly 30% lower than their cisgendered peers. 
The other positive aspect of the research: it has been shown that the earlier college students work with a Career Development professional when they do graduate they are hired and often compensated more than their peers.”

Our Commitment to DEI

We’re here to help you achieve your career goals while honoring your authentic self.

Our team encourages LGBTQ+ students to gain real-world experience through career exploration, informational interviews, job shadowing, and internships within inclusive environments. We can assist you in navigating sexual and gender identities in the workforce, refining your resume with chosen names or pronouns, and preparing for interviews with safety and confidence in mind.

The Career Development staff are all Safe Space trained and committed to providing a pro-diversity, pro-equity, and pro-inclusion environment for all students and alumni.

Prepare for your job search by reading our comprehensive LGBTQ+ Career Development Guide

This comprehensive guide is designed to help LGBTQ+ students and alumni navigate the unique challenges of entering the workforce while maintaining their authentic identities. It provides practical strategies for every stage of the professional journey, from the initial application to long-term career success.

  1. Navigating the "Out" Decision: Understand the pros and cons of disclosing your identity during the application, interview, or after being hired to find a workplace that aligns with your values.
  2. Resume Personalization: Learn how to effectively include chosen names, pronouns, and LGBTQ+ community involvement on your professional documents.
  3. Finding Inclusive Employers: Use specific criteria such as diversity statements, inclusive benefits, and the Corporate Equality Index to identify organizations committed to equity and inclusion.
  4. Acing the Interview: Prepare for virtual and in-person interviews with tips on professional attire, managing your digital presence, and asking thoughtful questions about company culture.
  5. Professional Branding: Review strategies for auditing your online presence and using privacy settings to protect your professional identity.
  6. Applying the STAR Method: Master a results-focused framework for writing resume bullet points and answering interview questions that highlight your specific contributions.
     

Download the full guide here.

Specialized Services for LGBTQ+ Students

  1. Gender-Affirming Professional Attire: Access to the Power Closet, where students can get professional clothing for free.
  2. Identity-Conscious Coaching: One-on-one sessions to discuss "out" strategies, transitioning in the workplace, or navigating industry-specific cultures.
  3. Mock Interviews: Practice responding to common questions and managing potential misgendering in a neutral, professional tone.

Workplace Research

  • Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index to find inclusive employers
  • Lambda Legal - Learn about federal, state, local laws that explicitly protect LGBTQ people, as well as read stories of individuals with HIV, federal and state bans on sex discrimination, and other more general workplace-related laws that may be useful.
  • Lambda Legal (Help Desk) - Confidentially call or email to get information and resources regarding discrimination related to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and HIV status.
  • LGBT Connect - Job board for anyone seeking LGBTQ-friendly employers.
  • LGBTQ+ Career Network - Job board for the LGBTQ community.
  • Pink Jobs - LGBTQ friendly job board.
  • Out and Equal - LGBTQ CareerLink offers tools and resources focused on LGBTQ inclusion in the workplace

Schedule a Meeting with a Career Advisor

Get one-on-one support from a Career Advisor for resume tips, mock interviews, professional attire from our Power Closet, and guidance on navigating your career path.

You can schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with a Career Development staff member through your Handshake account! Log into your account by going to Handshake and enter your NEIUport credentials and NEIU email address.

If you have any issues, please contact us at (773) 442-4680 or ocs@neiu.edu.

Career Development is located in Room B 119 and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.