u/vampeiki

Hi guys,

Just wondering how normal it is to not get asked to do any agency tests at all after applying? I understand maybe I'm just underestimating the timeframe here, but I've applied to 20+ agencies and not even gotten an acknowledgement of my application. A family friend who works for an agency has had a look at my CV so I don't think it's an issue with my application, but even after he referred me to the agency he works at, I've had no response after emailing them. I understand the market is screwed, but I thought I would at least get an acknowledgement (lol)

What kind of timeframe does it usually take between applying and hearing back nowadays? Should I be chasing this up/reapplying? At what point?

I recently got in touch with an old family friend who works in the industry I'm trying to get into and he put in a word for me with his company, which was great and really kind of him. The issue is he only knows me by my deadname (I was put in touch via my mother who thought explaining my transition would be "confusing"), so the company is now expecting an application from someone of the opposite gender.

The company know me as his "friend's daughter" (per the email he shared with me) but my legal name is not at all gender neutral (so the discrepancy would be obvious), all my qualifications etc are under my current name and obviously I don't want to closet myself again just for this. I feel like there's no point in him having gone to that effort if they can't connect my application to his recommendation but I'm also concerned though about having to out myself immediately to this company before they even think of hiring me.

Should I say something?? At what point?? And how?? This is probably my best shot at a job right now, but I feel like i've shot myself in the foot already