Hey Reader,

Welcome to issue #003 of The Next Chapter, a career planning newsletter for LGBTQ+ professionals.

This week, I'm covering:

• How to ask about LGBTQ+ inclusion in job interviews
• Managing stress through your nervous system
• Identity document guidance for trans and nonbinary folks
• Voting on our fall webinar topic

I'm glad you're here. Let's dive in.

Did you get your Career Clarity Checklist?

This week, I did a free consult with a job seeker who brought to my attention that they didn’t receive their copy of the Career Clarity Checklist after subscribing to the newsletter.

False promises are not my vibe, so please reply to this email if you didn’t receive your copy so I can send it to you directly.

Okay, back to our gay agenda.

Lead with your needs in interviews

“My last job wasn’t queer-friendly and I don’t want to experience that again. How do I talk about it in interviews?”

I get this question pretty regularly. LGBTQ+ job seekers want to suss out if an employer is going to be a safe place to work because the last place wasn’t.

But there’s also the interviewing norm of not trash-talking your former employers (even if they were awful and deserve to be roasted until crispy).

So how do you walk that tightrope?

My advice: lead with what you need to be set up for success.

Start with: “I’ve learned I do my best work when ...”

Then name a core need you’ve identified:

• “I’ve learned I do my best work when I have meaningful relationships with LGBTQ+ teammates. Can you tell me more about your LGBTQ+ affinity group or events you host for the community?”
• “I’ve learned I do my best work when sharing gender pronouns is normalized. How does your team approach this?”
• “I’ve learned I do my best work when I can be open about my life, including my partner. What's the culture like around that?”

Pick the topic that’s most important to you and adjust the phrasing as needed.

And if you missed Issue #001, I shared a free guide to find an LGBTQ+ inclusive workplace. Check it out below and bookmark it for your future interviews.

Care for your nervous system

Many LGBTQ+ folks are dealing with extra stress and anxiety right now, especially career navigators. In moments like these, your nervous system might be working overtime.

Cleveland Clinic has a helpful article on how your vagus nerve acts as your body's reset button. The good news: simple practices like breathing exercises and meditation can strengthen it so you recover from stress faster.

I experience anxiety every day, and I've personally benefited from incorporating practices like yoga, meditation, and breathwork.

Everyone's body is different, so explore what works for your needs and abilities. Take care of yourself.

Identity document guidance for TGNC folks

Note: Because I live in the U.S. and primarily coach professionals in the U.S., I will occasionally share resources that are specific to what’s happening in our country.

Lambda Legal has created a guide that breaks down what's happening with passports, REAL IDs, and other identity documents. Whether you're traveling for a job interview, attending a conference, or relocating for work, having accurate identity documents matters for your career.

A few things to know (as of their last update in September 2025):

• Your current documents are still valid. Passports with an X marker or a gender marker matching your identity are good until they expire.
• The restrictive passport policy is currently blocked by federal courts—but could return if the government successfully appeals.
• State IDs work differently. Many states still offer X markers or allow gender marker updates, which might be your best option for domestic travel.

The guide also covers ongoing legal challenges, name changes, and resources for accessing legal help in your state.

Help us pick the topic for our fall webinar

I’m teaming up with my friend April Starlight, CEO & Recruiter at Tangerine Search, to host a webinar for job seekers this fall.

We have a few ideas brewing, and we’d love your help with picking the main topic by voting in the LinkedIn poll below.

Choices include:

• Preparing for the job search
• Human connection in the AI era
• Demystifying how hiring works
• Other (share in the comments)

Tell me what’s on your mind

I want this newsletter to be community-driven. It’s meant for you, so it should be valuable to you.

Future issues will look different and cover different topics. I’ll be experimenting and collecting feedback along the way, so don’t be shy about hitting the ‘Reply’ button.

Tell me what you’d love to see—it might just end up in the next issue.

See you next week.