How To Answer “What Are Your Pronouns” On Job Applications?

As long as you are respectful and convey your pronouns without insulting anyone, there is no wrong way to answer the pronoun question on job applications.

Recruiters ask about pronouns on job applications to be inclusive and to create an environment where everyone can feel comfortable and be at their most productive.

This is why you can choose traditional pronouns, genderqueer/nonbinary pronouns, or make your own if there is no box with your preferred option.

Tip: Find Jobs on Salarship.

Common Pronouns to Use When Applying for a Job

Pronouns are what you would like to be referred to.

For example, a recruiter might say: “She is applying for a job” if you want to be referred by feminine pronouns or “He is applying for a job” if you want to be referred by masculine pronouns.

Of course, it is possible to go beyond traditional pronouns. Here is a list of common pronouns used when applying for a job:

• Traditional male/masculine pronouns: He, Him, His.
• Traditional female/feminine pronouns: She, Her, Hers.
• Gender-neutral pronouns 1: They, Them, Theirs (in a sentence: Georges ate their food because they were hungry).
• Gender-neutral pronouns 2: Ze, Hir (in a sentence: Georges ate hir food because ze was hungry).
• Other pronouns: there is no exhaustive list of pronouns, and it is always possible to write lesser-known pronouns on job applications.

Keep a Respectful Attitude When Discussing Sensitive Topics Such as Pronouns

Gender is a non-binary spectrum, which means that if we don’t want to, none of us should be relegated to just females or males.

Many people choose to identify with gender-neutral pronouns, multiple pronouns, non-traditional pronouns, or sometimes, no pronouns at all!

Even though people have gotten more accepting over the years, non-binary workers have still reported that they feel pressure at their jobs due to their lack of gender status at the workplace. Some of these people chose to go public with their stories, and almost 20% of these people believed they had lost an opportunity at a job because of their status.

According to a survey from TheConversation, 50% of transgender and non-binary people hide their identity in the workplace for fear of experiencing some form of prejudice, harassment, and even discrimination at work.

Luckily, more companies are starting to add gender-neutral options to their application forms. They are letting job applicants know they do not intend to discriminate and are open-minded about the subject.

5 Other Ways To Effectively Convey Your Pronouns Before Applying for a Job

You should always use your discretion and do what feels the most comfortable when it comes to sharing your personal information with your employer.

If you don’t want to be straightforward and answer pronoun questions on the job application, it is also possible to use more subtle ways to reveal your gender identity.

1. Sign Your Signature With Your Preferred Pronouns Below Your Name

If you are not provided with the option to fill out your preferred gender on the job application, you can clarify in your letter or email you have to write to send in the application.

You can simply put your preferred pronouns just below your signature, where it is direct yet subtle, without any explanations needed. It will not detract from your application, but it will be blatant enough for anyone who reads your email to see and understand correctly.

2. Ask Your References to Refer to You Using Your Preferred Pronouns

Some of the most common mistakes in a resume are leaving out applicable skills and experiences and forgetting to provide contact details for references. You can include your references in your resume itself or attach reference letters to your resume.

If you use references, ask them before they are contacted to refer to you by using your preferred pronouns. This will take a massive burden off your shoulders while still letting interested employers know how others refer to you.

3. Tell Your Potential Employer or Interviewer About Your Preferred Pronouns During the Interview Process

If you feel uncomfortable conveying your pronouns on your job application itself, you may wait for the on-site interview to do it in person.

Conveying your pronouns in this manner will provide you with an overall feel for the company’s acceptance of culture and get a sense of your prospective employer before sharing any personal details.

4. Convey Your Preferred Pronouns in Your Cover Letter

While the whole purpose of your resume is to provide all of your work experience, your cover letter is supposed to tell your prospective employer more about that work experience, as well as you as a person.

Although a cover letter isn’t a place to put all your personal information, it is an excellent place to share your preferred pronouns. You may even state that you are interested in the company because of its open culture or call out a non-binary leader in the company you respect, provided there is one.

5. Check Both “Female” and “Male” off on Your Job Application

By checking both the male and female boxes on your job application, you have the opportunity to explain it later. While several people don’t identify with either female or male, if you are somebody who identifies with both female and male, you can choose both if it feels comfortable for you!

A job application certainly is not a legal document, and you can always explain to your possible employer or interviewer down the line if the application process progresses in your favor.

Tip: 372,914 Jobs Are Available on Salarship.

The Bottom Line

Using the correct pronouns on your job applications will clarify what you identify as to your potential employer and interviewer. People using your preferred pronouns will make you feel much more comfortable in your work environment, which will boost your morale and work performance.

Answering pronoun questions incorrectly will make you come across as misinformed or ill-intentioned.

More Questions Asked on Job Applications

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• Place of Residence on a Job Application
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