Is it risky to put LGBT stuff on your resume? Forum

[Manali]

I was an educator before law school and helped students out with their LGBT student group. I have also represented a gay Nigerian client in an asylum matter when I worked at an immigration non-profit. Furthermore, I am a member of my law school's chapter of OUTlaw.

Is it a bad idea to put these on a resume or cover letter? I want to be true to myself, but I really, REALLY want a job.

[jhett]

Check this thread for related discussion:

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=257386

Bottom line, unless it's a firm or organization that overtly champions conservative causes (and why would you be applying to those places in the first place?), there is very little risk that anyone will care.

[grand inquisitor]

did you help the gay nigerian find asylum for the $10,000,000 he needed to get out of the country?

[Manali]

Thanks for the link. I have no interest in V50 firms though--I attend a small regional school that rarely places students in such firms.

I am interested in legal aid, public policy, public defender, local government, judicial clerkships, small and mid-sized firms doing family or immigration law, Department of Justice Honors Program, and Presidential Management Fellowship. I should be "safe" with such employers, correct?

[gaddockteeg]

you're fine. I think it actually helps more than hurts.

[Manali]

you're fine. I think it actually helps more than hurts.

Great, thanks. Glad to hear that it won't be a red flag for the sorts of employers I am targeting.

[Rlabo]

Honestly though, would you want to work for a firm that that was an issue for?

[jbagelboy]

decidedly not. LGBT-related causes are almost always a plus in sophisticated legal hiring.

[zot1]

Yes, having a job is nice, but if you work with people who won't tolerate who you are, it's gonna be the biggest nightmare and you won't enjoy it.

[xael]

just make sure your resume isn't 2 pages, BL

[Manali]

2 page resumes are fine (and even expected) for certain types of public interest positions (i.e. IHR)...

[ClubberLang]

It is really only risky if you are not LGBT, then it is just weird.

[Anonymous User]

Only kinda related but didn't want to start new thread, risky to put Muslim related stuff on resume?

[XxSpyKEx]

Only kinda related but didn't want to start new thread, risky to put Muslim related stuff on resume?

Only if your name is Donald Trump..

[ballouttacontrol]

Only kinda related but didn't want to start new thread, risky to put Muslim related stuff on resume?

no racist, but are you white or not? If not white, basically every firm and corporation loves to up their "diversity." If white, it would either be a non-factor, or some people may think you're trying to game the affirmative action system or whatever

[ggocat]

Thanks for the link. I have no interest in V50 firms though--I attend a small regional school that rarely places students in such firms.

I am interested in legal aid, public policy, public defender, local government, judicial clerkships, small and mid-sized firms doing family or immigration law, Department of Justice Honors Program, and Presidential Management Fellowship. I should be "safe" with such employers, correct?

At least for clerkships, I'd leave off the group memberships unless you know the judge's politics/opinions on the issues. Some judges really don't like to see political- and cause-oriented activities on resumes. I've known some who really do not want clerks who come in with strong biases on issues. A lot of judges don't have hiring committees or an HR department full of younger, more accepting professionals. Yeah, sometimes the first cuts are made by young law clerks, but other times it's the older secretary. A lot of judges (and I think people generally) are from a different generation and probably subtle biases. All my experience is in the South, though, so perhaps take into account where you're apply.

The value of group membership and pre-law group stuff does not seem very high. I don't see much upside to including it unless you're trying to use the LGBT topic as an advantage. The representation of a gay Nigerian for a clinic is at least substantive work and, I think, no one you apply for will think gays should be imprisoned/executed/etc., so it's not controversial.

In short, look at this with risk-reward in mind. I see this as medium risk, low reward for the student-group stuff.

Yes, having a job is nice, but if you work with people who won't tolerate who you are, it's gonna be the biggest nightmare and you won't enjoy it.

This is a good point, though.

[moreprejthanprob]

The value of group membership and pre-law group stuff does not seem very high. I don't see much upside to including it unless you're trying to use the LGBT topic as an advantage. The representation of a gay Nigerian for a clinic is at least substantive work and, I think, no one you apply for will think gays should be imprisoned/executed/etc., so it's not controversial.

I assume you're still only referring to clerkships here? Hoping this is sarcasm ("I think"), because yeesh.

Yes, having a job is nice, but if you work with people who won't tolerate who you are, it's gonna be the biggest nightmare and you won't enjoy it.

This.

OP, based on the general Public Interest vibe of the rest of the jobs you are interested in, it doesn't sound like you'd be happy working for a judge (or anyone for that matter) who is not down with the work you've done for LGBT folks. As someone who did include my OUTLaw board position on my clerkship resume, I can tell you that it was certainly not a negative. For most public interest employers, work on behalf of marginalized populations is a good thing.

[ggocat]

The value of group membership and pre-law group stuff does not seem very high. I don't see much upside to including it unless you're trying to use the LGBT topic as an advantage. The representation of a gay Nigerian for a clinic is at least substantive work and, I think, no one you apply for will think gays should be imprisoned/executed/etc., so it's not controversial.

I assume you're still only referring to clerkships here? Hoping this is sarcasm ("I think"), because yeesh.

Re: "i think" - yeah, that should be read sarcastic. But you never know... Some people hold beliefs that seem unconscionable to the rest of us. There's still a generation on the older end that grew up when sodomy was illegal.

Re: student groups - This is just an opinion I'm sure will differ who you talk to. But personally, I'm not very impressed with group memberships of any kind. Group membership doesn't convey much to me when it's simply listed on a resume. I'd much rather see experiential learning (e.g. clinics and internships) and other skill-oriented activities like moot court, mock trial, or journal. So, my advice goes for all jobs. But if the decision is between group membership and nothing on a resume, certainly group membership is better. (FWIW, I'm a court staff attorney, so my hiring experience it's limited to interns.)