Learn when and how to use gender pronouns during a job search
Benefits of Using Pronouns
There is one reason for using pronouns: a person’s gender may not be immediately clear from their name. Christine Heinrich, the hiring director at Taurean Consulting Group, provided reasons for using pronouns in an email interview with The Balance. “While some names are common in America, they may not be easily recognized by someone from another country,” Heinrich said. “The same is true in the opposite direction. A set of certain names typically assigned to one gender in India, for example, may not be common in the United States.”
Another reason to make using pronouns a daily practice for both candidates and hiring managers is that it can help create a more comfortable environment for individuals who do not fit traditional gender roles. Including your pronouns is an easy way to inform people how you identify. If you are frequently misidentified, including your pronouns prevents that from happening.
Drawbacks of Using Pronouns
“Some people may feel that using pronouns in this way can reinforce the idea that their gender is of utmost importance,” Heinrich said. While the intent behind sharing pronouns may be commendable—to avoid miscommunication and misidentifying people—some individuals may not wish to share their pronouns.
In 2020, a columnist for Harvard Crimson noted that “they/them” pronouns, or sharing pronouns that do not match a person’s appearance, can force people to disclose themselves before they are ready to do so, or compel them to mislabel themselves to avoid disclosing.
Additionally, for various reasons—some bigoted and some principled—some individuals may dislike the practice of sharing pronouns. As a job applicant, there is a risk that your application or cover letter may reach someone who opposes their use. This could potentially lead to your application being rejected, despite your qualifications.
Deciding Whether to Add Pronouns
Choosing to add pronouns is simply a choice. You can decide to share them or not, based on your preference, weighing the benefits and potential drawbacks mentioned here. “Unless you seriously feel uncomfortable sharing your pronouns, it’s a simple thing you can do to create inclusivity and provide a more cohesive and welcoming environment for others,” Heinrich said.
How and Where to Include Pronouns
There are several places you can choose to add your pronouns if you decide to do so. Here’s how to include them and where.
LinkedIn makes it easy to add your pronouns. There is an option to do so when editing your profile.
To add your pronouns, follow these steps:
- Log in to LinkedIn.
- Click the drop-down arrow below your profile picture in the upper right corner. Then select “View Profile.”
- Click the pencil icon to edit your profile.
- Select the appropriate pronouns from the drop-down list.
Depending on your visibility settings, your gender pronouns will appear next to your name on your profile, when you share or comment on a post, and in messages.
In Your Resume
There are several options to choose from when adding pronouns to your resume.
In your resume, you can simply list your pronouns beneath your name (where it appears at the top of the page). For example:
Kylie Cavendish
(he/him)
You can also place the pronouns in parentheses. For example:
Jane Smith
(pronouns: they/them)
Another option is to include the pronouns next to your name:
Talika Khan (she/her)
Pronouns can also be included with your contact information on your resume:
Mikael
Transom
1234 Oakley St, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73008
555-555-5555
Pronouns: He/Him
When making changes to your resume, remember to proofread carefully before submitting it. A quick preview will also show you if your formatting looks good. You might want to include your pronouns in a smaller font than your name.
In the Cover Letter
In your cover letter, include your pronouns next to your name in the signature section.
Here’s how it will look in the signature section of the attached cover letter:
Sincerely,
Tommy Dolan (He/Him)
And here’s how it will look in the printed cover letter:
Best regards,
(handwritten signature)
Tommy Dolan (He/Him)
In the Email Signature
You can also add pronouns to your email signature. For example:
Tommy Dolan (He/Him)
(555) 555-5555
In Job Applications
Some online job applications – but not all – may have a place to include your pronouns. Pay attention to those fields or dropdown menus.
In References
If you are sharing your pronouns in your application, don’t forget to mention them to your references as well. This way, you can ensure that the recommendation letters are written with the correct pronouns.
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Sources:
SHRM. “Viewpoint: Consider Pros and Cons Before Requiring Pronouns in Signature Blocks.”
The Harvard Crimson. “The Case Against Mandatory Preferred Gender Pronouns.”
LinkedIn. “Use Gender Pronouns on LinkedIn.”
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/how-to-use-pronouns-when-youre-job-searching-5324338
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