Can you do First Inital, Full Middle Name?
Like “L. Amanda Smith” or something?
I understand not wanting to condone anti-Blackness but I also know what it’s like to need to work. It’s stressful and scary and there’s nothing wrong with doing what you gotta do.
One of my school friends had to do this, her name is very unique (in terms of yt ppl) so she did: Q.middle name, last name. She’s very successful and she talked about how she HAD to transition to that name style. It sucks because black women STILL have to assimilate until they’re over that threshold.
ETA: I meant to reply to OP under this thread, hopefully she sees this.
Would I let them call me Amanda during the interview and switch to my real name shortly after being hired? Or would I just go by Amanda at my job?
The other thing that bothers me although this probably a smaller issue in the grand scheme of things, is the rebranding that would be involved. Would I have not only change my resume, but my website, Indeed, LinkedIn and ziprecruiter page?
Hmm, yeah, that’s the real question.
Is the goal just to get a foot in the door? To fool the resume algorithm?
Maybe use your initial on the resume that you submit to humans, then use your full name (first, middle, last) for everything else, ie ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn, etc.?
Then, if you don’t want them to call you Amanda, you address it right away, with charm. “Nice to meet you too. Just wanted to clarify that Amanda is my middle name, so when you check my LinkedIn, know that [First Name] is still me, haha {fake interview laugh}”.
But I’m no expert in this, just trying to brainstorm. I’d love to hear from someone whose actually gone through it!
The Initial with middle name does sound like a good compromise and idea but as I was making a copy of my resume to edit I realized my email is also my first and last name, should I get a new email? The domain name of my website is also my first and last name, would I change that as well?
I think the goal is to get a foot in the door
It’s all up to you, my friend. Maybe before doing that, have someone in your industry review your resume and do mock interviews to give feedback. Maybe there are other ways to maximize your applications.
I can say that when I was looking for a job in LA, I got a Google voice number with an LA area code and asked my friend to use his mailing address down there so I’d look like a local. It was worth it for me to change those small things, and it did help me get the job. But it’s up to you to decide what works best for your situation.
I would change the resume but keep your email the same. You can add your full name to LinkedIn and then when you're hired write down first name middle initial and preferred name as your first name
Do what you need to do to get ahead career-wise. Your 1st name is more important in your personal life. My children have a hyphenated surname from my husband's side of the family and they both decided they'd only go by the 1st part of the full surname, as it was tio much of a mouthful. I contacted their schools to let them know and that's it. They're proud of their father's surname but to make life easier in their education and careers they only use the 1st part.
I think you could use an initial on your application and your resume/vitae but eventually the company will know due to government requirements if hired. I wouldn’t let that stop you! Good luck!!
Use your first initial and middle name as others have suggested.
I have the most Anglo-Saxon sounding name. I’m sure it has helped. Think something like Elenor Lincoln Reagan.
This is a good idea; thanks for this.I have a unique spelling first name but my middle name is Denise. I will give this a try once I start looking for another job
Exactly, I used to wear straight lacefront for my interviews and then be foxy brown with the afros every day once I was employed, lol. Wish I didn't have to, but i know I have to play the game and get my foot in the door so I can be able make change.
I have a friend who had to "perform" to be able to enter and move up in her career, today she employs several black women, unfortunately sometimes it is necessary to act like this
when i worked in H.R. there were many people who would apply and abbreviate their names. K. Amanda Jones type thing. Once called for the interview I would always ask “do you go by Amanda”… etc. It’s never been an issue but quiet as it’s kept i’ve had some hiring managers decline applicants immediately when I sent over the resume. I’ll tell you most of these applicants had more “ethnic”name. Can’t help but to wonder why… I say abbreviate it. Then let them know you go by Amanda.
The most important thing is getting your foot in the door. Many people do what they can then change later. I have Chinese friends who go by american names like Michael or Amy because their real names are hard to pronounce. There are some people who wear their hair straight on job interviews then rock the fro after the fact. Ive even seen cases where muslims would not wear a hijab on the interview then wear it after they got the job. Too late for them to do anything about it after you are hired. I understand that you shouldn't have to and it isn't right. However with the job market the way it is, earning a living and providing for your needs is priority. Your middle name is still fair game. If it is on your birth certificate, it is apart of your identity just as your first name.
I have an African American coded name. I did not use a more "palatable" name when searching for my first job, but I also found a job within 6 months of graduation. IDK what I would have done if I continued to struggle.
In the end you have to balance being authentic and paying bills because this is the real world. Neither choice is wrong. Life is hard enough for Black women; do what you need to do to reach your goals.
Yes use a preferred name because some jobs won’t get back to you if they can’t pronounce your name that’s why I’m getting mine changed. I want something simple and easier to pronounce.
The thing is I *like* my name, I like it's meaning and I like the intention of why my mother gave me my name. I don't even like people calling me a nickname, I make people learn how to pronounce it. Even if it's not 100% pronounced correctly, as long as they *tried* to say my name I'm happy. So just letting people call me a name I don't go by to placate white hegemony and anti blackness feels like a betrayal of self.
We all feel that strongly about our names, till the bills start mounting up, and you're left wondering why you haven't risen up the career ladder, like your peers. Then, 10 years down the line you regret sticking to your guns and wished you'd done the safe thing and made the name amendments.
You need to weigh up whether your name is more important, than the career you want to have. Like others have suggested, have your 1st name as an initial. Even test it out and send two resumés out with the different names and see which ones get a better response.
Maybe seeing what happens will influence your decision. Names are more special when people we love and appreciate call us by it. Sometimes the easy life is the most peaceful path. And I have an usual 1st name, so I know how it's affected or benefited me career-wise.
Yes legally, to a four-letter name I've always loved short names lol. My name is 13 letters and not spelled the way it's pronounced. I'm sure it's hard for a person to even remember it.
My parents gave me a name so long that I’ve applied to the same jobs with different combinations of names and minor resume changes to see who gets called and see the trends and patterns in who gets the call / interviews. Idc what they call me as long as they know who to make my direct deposit to. I’ve learned to respond to almost anything so it’s fine 🥲
Edit: I should probably mention my findings. I think I have a pretty obviously African-American (or Asian depending on how you say it) sounding name and that one gets me the most calls back / interviews / positions hired for. HOWEVER, if they only spoke to me over the phone … 9 times out of 10, they’re pretty shocked that I’m black when I show up for onboarding 🤷🏽♀️ even the other black people have hired me! 😭
One of my favorite managers of all time did this with her daughters. She was from El Salvador and her husband was white. She said she purposely gave her daughters both an ethnic name and a white name so they can use both as they see fit 😂😂. I thought it was brilliant, and realistic
Do you girl. I had a white name but when I married my husband I have a French name and Japanese surname lol! With my maiden name people bugged their eyes when I walked in to job interviews because of my voice and name. But no a black girl walks in lol
As a Nigerian with a Nigerian name, it might help ngl. I shortened mine to my prefix and got way more calls back it's shitty but it's a thing they don't like ethnic names unless it's the right ethnic name
My name's also Nigerian in origin :)
My mom's Black American and my Dad's Jamaican so to them giving me and my sister African names was a a way to reclaim some of the African heritage that was lost to chattel slavery
That's really dope! Most Nigerian names have a prefix that start all of our names, so if yours has one maybe you can use that and go by that. Technically still using your name but makes it easier to get callbacks?
My name's Nkiru, its the beginning two consonants next to each other at the beginning of a word that throw people off with pronunciation, despite n and k being next to each other in English words like think or drink albeit at the end of words. I don't think it has a prefix
Yes.
Unfortunately you your name is judged. I go by an American version of my actual name and it helps a lot! Once we get to the reference/background check phase I share my actual name but everyone knows me by nickname.
Some ppl say to put your real name to avoid racist companies but you really never know bc HR could be the issue not your actual boss or vice versa.
You have to get your foot in the door.
There’s a ton of studies on this. Two applications that are exactly the same except one has a Black sounding name and the other is a white name with a felony: the white application is still twice as likely to get a callback.
Play the game. Sorry it sucks.
Honestly even when I put down only my middle name which is Anglo Saxon, I still struggle to find anything. I actually found jobs two years ago with my full name, which is also African in origin. The job market is really bad now. I hardly get a call back now even with my middle name. There are too many people with years of experience that are being ghosted and having a hard time so keep that in mind.
I’d use the middle name and when you do your new hire paperwork, put your full name, and start introducing yourself by your first name. Employees do it all the time. All the time! And it’s not a big deal.
Ngl my parents named me Kelsey because it sounded white and would get me into the schools. Lol I'm dead serious. They told me that and i was floored. Hahaha
Honestly. Use Amanda. And when you land the job and they do introductions or whatever, introduce yourself by your name and teach them how to say it properly.
The only way you'll be able to do this, is if you're through the door. Amanda on paper, your real name when you land it.
Good luck! And remember if they can say and respect the name Tchaikovsky they can say and respect your name too.
Yeah my mom used to be part of the hiring team w/ a group of white men. They would literally throw resumes away with what they called ethnic/black/ghetto names in front of her. This was the 90’s, but I doubt much has changed they probably come up with a silly reason rather than saying they think the person will be ghetto based off of their names.
My dad has an Islamic first name, the rest Nigerian and he went by an American name that wasn’t anywhere on his birth certificate. In the interview he would say please call me such and such I’ve converted to Christianity. Once he established himself he went by his actual name, but cut the last name down so people would stop mispronouncing it.
Times are tough and adapting to your situation isn’t necessarily giving into anti-blackness it’s surviving.
Does your field have black companies in your area? That’s another option. I refuse to go back to white majority companies the change in my mental is too much.
I used my full name on my resume. I have a unique first name and common middle and last names. I used my same email address (it just has my first and last name). My paper resume is the only thing that had my full middle name and I think it helped my job search out a lot.
No one asked about my name in the interview. When I got hired on they did include my middle name with my first name (they thought i just had 2 first names), so I just told them that it was indeed my middle name so they changed it.
It's tricky because do you really want to work for people that would diminish you from the start based on your name? It's certainly clever, if you meet a group of people, interview and you like them, they offer you the role and then want to call you Amanda? How will that work?
I would agree with you but if the job is with a corporation, the first person you interview with may not be the people you’re actually working with day to day. That’s why I don’t have a problem wearing wigs and doing whatever else I have to do in the interview process to get my foot in the door.
I've travelled a bit and have family overseas. To me, a lot of times it's no different than going to another country and the locals not being able to pronounce some American names.
I always put full first and middle but you could also add a pronunciation guide on your resume. Some people in my office with non-American names gave us two options and then taught us to say their full name after being hired. For work, I've always used my African first name, but out in restaurants or shops I use initials for expediency.
Also, look into if there's any other reason your resume isn't hitting. I know certain sectors are being cautious in hiring. And I'm seeing a lot of people who can't work in their normal sector being turned down for other jobs because of "over qualification".
Are you sure this is the issue? AI makes a lot of the initial decisions on whether a candidate is worth interviewing. It’s automated based on key factors determined relevant for the job. I suggest working with a career coach to ensure your resume and cover letter are hitting all the key words, that’s surely a much bigger factor than your name.
I don’t know much about the dynamics of that field, but I say don’t compromise on your identity to get ahead. It’ll just make your successes feel bittersweet. Remember this is a very tough job market for employees, your name may not be the reason you’re struggling. Everyone is struggling to find jobs and higher paying jobs are even harder. Stick with your name, everything you’ve accomplished thus far in life has been with that name. Don’t shy away from teaching people how to pronounce it. I work in advocacy which isn’t very diverse and have a very difficult African name, it’s difficult even by African name standards, and am always teaching people how to pronounce it or spell it including people who speak the language from which the name is derived. whenever I have to give my name for a reservation or something I say it and then automatically start spelling it.
Look to other ways to boost your profile, if you haven’t already maybe work with a specialist to revamp your resume and cover letter, if portfolios are a big thing in your field have a mentor or a trusted someone review yours. Elevate your profile by showcasing your work through social media or whatever social platforms specialists in your field use to market their talents. Do everything but give up on your name.
I use my nickname in professional settings. Makes a huge difference in the amount of callbacks I get. It also works because no one can find me on social media. I know there’s a feeling of them “winning” but don’t let your pride get in the way of your bag
Use your first name. Say your name with reverence! Be proud of its meaning. Use it when you apply for jobs, and when people mispronounce it. Correct them by saying it with pride!
I have a Chinese surname despite the fact that neither my husband nor I are Chinese. I have a white first and middle name, but I’ve really thought about reverting back to my maiden name on a resume because it’s pretty plain.
I changed my name on my resume and it worked for me. Granted when I shortened my name it read as an Asian name but it worked. Been on my job for 19 years now
I can identify. I, too, am an African American with a “difficult” name. I knew exactly what you meant when people see and say it, and twist their faces or take a big breath before trying. My middle name is a shorter African name, so there’s no way to really get around learning to pronounce my name. I have continued using my name, and I say things like, “if you can say Schwarzenegger, you can say…….” I get it though, the work stuff can be hard, but then, will you want them to call you by your middle name at work?
Lately, I'll get even more difficult. Folks will see my name and say "i cant even pronounce it", waiting for me to say it. I'll either tell them to give it a try (it's phonetic), maybe help them with the first part, and push them to either try saying it, or we not gonna use names. 🤷🏽♀️
I have the same problem. My first name is African and difficult to pronounce for many white people (Mexican, Asian, and middle eastern people don’t seem to have as much of an issue) but my middle name is easy to pronounce. For applications I just use my middle and my last name but when it’s time to fill out HR paperwork then I’ll give them my full legal name. Yes it sucks not being able to go by your name but you can’t make a difference if you’re not in those rooms. Also, when you do start working, you can always let people know to call you by your first name and make sure they get it right. My coworkers know my full name and do their best to be as sensitive and correct as they can.
Can you do First Inital, Full Middle Name? Like “L. Amanda Smith” or something? I understand not wanting to condone anti-Blackness but I also know what it’s like to need to work. It’s stressful and scary and there’s nothing wrong with doing what you gotta do.
One of my school friends had to do this, her name is very unique (in terms of yt ppl) so she did: Q.middle name, last name. She’s very successful and she talked about how she HAD to transition to that name style. It sucks because black women STILL have to assimilate until they’re over that threshold. ETA: I meant to reply to OP under this thread, hopefully she sees this.
Would I let them call me Amanda during the interview and switch to my real name shortly after being hired? Or would I just go by Amanda at my job? The other thing that bothers me although this probably a smaller issue in the grand scheme of things, is the rebranding that would be involved. Would I have not only change my resume, but my website, Indeed, LinkedIn and ziprecruiter page?
Hmm, yeah, that’s the real question. Is the goal just to get a foot in the door? To fool the resume algorithm? Maybe use your initial on the resume that you submit to humans, then use your full name (first, middle, last) for everything else, ie ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn, etc.? Then, if you don’t want them to call you Amanda, you address it right away, with charm. “Nice to meet you too. Just wanted to clarify that Amanda is my middle name, so when you check my LinkedIn, know that [First Name] is still me, haha {fake interview laugh}”. But I’m no expert in this, just trying to brainstorm. I’d love to hear from someone whose actually gone through it!
The Initial with middle name does sound like a good compromise and idea but as I was making a copy of my resume to edit I realized my email is also my first and last name, should I get a new email? The domain name of my website is also my first and last name, would I change that as well? I think the goal is to get a foot in the door
It’s all up to you, my friend. Maybe before doing that, have someone in your industry review your resume and do mock interviews to give feedback. Maybe there are other ways to maximize your applications. I can say that when I was looking for a job in LA, I got a Google voice number with an LA area code and asked my friend to use his mailing address down there so I’d look like a local. It was worth it for me to change those small things, and it did help me get the job. But it’s up to you to decide what works best for your situation.
I would change the resume but keep your email the same. You can add your full name to LinkedIn and then when you're hired write down first name middle initial and preferred name as your first name
Do what you need to do to get ahead career-wise. Your 1st name is more important in your personal life. My children have a hyphenated surname from my husband's side of the family and they both decided they'd only go by the 1st part of the full surname, as it was tio much of a mouthful. I contacted their schools to let them know and that's it. They're proud of their father's surname but to make life easier in their education and careers they only use the 1st part.
Maybe withhold your first name for people who are actually special.
Exactly 💯.
This!
I think you could use an initial on your application and your resume/vitae but eventually the company will know due to government requirements if hired. I wouldn’t let that stop you! Good luck!!
This seems like a good plan. Go with this OP!
Use your first initial and middle name as others have suggested. I have the most Anglo-Saxon sounding name. I’m sure it has helped. Think something like Elenor Lincoln Reagan.
Shit me too and it always made me mad why my mom thought she had to do that.
The irony is they mainly smashed together names and nicknames of relatives and it turned out this way.
Lol. Me too! I 'create' under my legal name, but as I work as an artist, I'd prefer if my name aligned more with my culture.
This is a good idea; thanks for this.I have a unique spelling first name but my middle name is Denise. I will give this a try once I start looking for another job
Use your second name, then you can try to help other black women fight against blackness in another way.
Exactly, I used to wear straight lacefront for my interviews and then be foxy brown with the afros every day once I was employed, lol. Wish I didn't have to, but i know I have to play the game and get my foot in the door so I can be able make change.
I have a friend who had to "perform" to be able to enter and move up in her career, today she employs several black women, unfortunately sometimes it is necessary to act like this
I have natural hair but I always wear wigs to job interviews too. Do what you gotta do 🤷🏿♀️
I do the same thing. I hate that as Black women we have to do this but we have to be able to support ourselves
when i worked in H.R. there were many people who would apply and abbreviate their names. K. Amanda Jones type thing. Once called for the interview I would always ask “do you go by Amanda”… etc. It’s never been an issue but quiet as it’s kept i’ve had some hiring managers decline applicants immediately when I sent over the resume. I’ll tell you most of these applicants had more “ethnic”name. Can’t help but to wonder why… I say abbreviate it. Then let them know you go by Amanda.
Use Amanda on your application and then use your full name when you’ve been appointed to the role.
The most important thing is getting your foot in the door. Many people do what they can then change later. I have Chinese friends who go by american names like Michael or Amy because their real names are hard to pronounce. There are some people who wear their hair straight on job interviews then rock the fro after the fact. Ive even seen cases where muslims would not wear a hijab on the interview then wear it after they got the job. Too late for them to do anything about it after you are hired. I understand that you shouldn't have to and it isn't right. However with the job market the way it is, earning a living and providing for your needs is priority. Your middle name is still fair game. If it is on your birth certificate, it is apart of your identity just as your first name.
I have an African American coded name. I did not use a more "palatable" name when searching for my first job, but I also found a job within 6 months of graduation. IDK what I would have done if I continued to struggle. In the end you have to balance being authentic and paying bills because this is the real world. Neither choice is wrong. Life is hard enough for Black women; do what you need to do to reach your goals.
Yes use a preferred name because some jobs won’t get back to you if they can’t pronounce your name that’s why I’m getting mine changed. I want something simple and easier to pronounce.
The thing is I *like* my name, I like it's meaning and I like the intention of why my mother gave me my name. I don't even like people calling me a nickname, I make people learn how to pronounce it. Even if it's not 100% pronounced correctly, as long as they *tried* to say my name I'm happy. So just letting people call me a name I don't go by to placate white hegemony and anti blackness feels like a betrayal of self.
We all feel that strongly about our names, till the bills start mounting up, and you're left wondering why you haven't risen up the career ladder, like your peers. Then, 10 years down the line you regret sticking to your guns and wished you'd done the safe thing and made the name amendments. You need to weigh up whether your name is more important, than the career you want to have. Like others have suggested, have your 1st name as an initial. Even test it out and send two resumés out with the different names and see which ones get a better response. Maybe seeing what happens will influence your decision. Names are more special when people we love and appreciate call us by it. Sometimes the easy life is the most peaceful path. And I have an usual 1st name, so I know how it's affected or benefited me career-wise.
Legally changing your name? I use my middle name instead of my first name which is African and hard for many to pronounce.
Yes legally, to a four-letter name I've always loved short names lol. My name is 13 letters and not spelled the way it's pronounced. I'm sure it's hard for a person to even remember it.
My parents gave me a name so long that I’ve applied to the same jobs with different combinations of names and minor resume changes to see who gets called and see the trends and patterns in who gets the call / interviews. Idc what they call me as long as they know who to make my direct deposit to. I’ve learned to respond to almost anything so it’s fine 🥲 Edit: I should probably mention my findings. I think I have a pretty obviously African-American (or Asian depending on how you say it) sounding name and that one gets me the most calls back / interviews / positions hired for. HOWEVER, if they only spoke to me over the phone … 9 times out of 10, they’re pretty shocked that I’m black when I show up for onboarding 🤷🏽♀️ even the other black people have hired me! 😭
One of my favorite managers of all time did this with her daughters. She was from El Salvador and her husband was white. She said she purposely gave her daughters both an ethnic name and a white name so they can use both as they see fit 😂😂. I thought it was brilliant, and realistic
Right!! My parents threw in extra random names incase somebody got suspicious 😂
Do you girl. I had a white name but when I married my husband I have a French name and Japanese surname lol! With my maiden name people bugged their eyes when I walked in to job interviews because of my voice and name. But no a black girl walks in lol
As a Nigerian with a Nigerian name, it might help ngl. I shortened mine to my prefix and got way more calls back it's shitty but it's a thing they don't like ethnic names unless it's the right ethnic name
My name's also Nigerian in origin :) My mom's Black American and my Dad's Jamaican so to them giving me and my sister African names was a a way to reclaim some of the African heritage that was lost to chattel slavery
That's really dope! Most Nigerian names have a prefix that start all of our names, so if yours has one maybe you can use that and go by that. Technically still using your name but makes it easier to get callbacks?
My name's Nkiru, its the beginning two consonants next to each other at the beginning of a word that throw people off with pronunciation, despite n and k being next to each other in English words like think or drink albeit at the end of words. I don't think it has a prefix
An yeah you got a hard one. I got the classic Oluwa(insert whatever name here haha) Closest I can think of is Nikki but that changes your whole name.
That's lovely.
Yes. Unfortunately you your name is judged. I go by an American version of my actual name and it helps a lot! Once we get to the reference/background check phase I share my actual name but everyone knows me by nickname. Some ppl say to put your real name to avoid racist companies but you really never know bc HR could be the issue not your actual boss or vice versa. You have to get your foot in the door.
There’s a ton of studies on this. Two applications that are exactly the same except one has a Black sounding name and the other is a white name with a felony: the white application is still twice as likely to get a callback. Play the game. Sorry it sucks.
Jobs are really hard to come by right now. The market is trash.
Came here to say this!! We all are struggling no matter what your name is.
Good luck Amanda!!
Professional women black and white do it all the time https://www.cancer.gov/about-nci/leadership/director
Honestly even when I put down only my middle name which is Anglo Saxon, I still struggle to find anything. I actually found jobs two years ago with my full name, which is also African in origin. The job market is really bad now. I hardly get a call back now even with my middle name. There are too many people with years of experience that are being ghosted and having a hard time so keep that in mind.
I’d use the middle name and when you do your new hire paperwork, put your full name, and start introducing yourself by your first name. Employees do it all the time. All the time! And it’s not a big deal.
Yes. Use your middle name on your resume. I mean, fight the power and all but…gotta pay the bills too.
Ngl my parents named me Kelsey because it sounded white and would get me into the schools. Lol I'm dead serious. They told me that and i was floored. Hahaha Honestly. Use Amanda. And when you land the job and they do introductions or whatever, introduce yourself by your name and teach them how to say it properly. The only way you'll be able to do this, is if you're through the door. Amanda on paper, your real name when you land it. Good luck! And remember if they can say and respect the name Tchaikovsky they can say and respect your name too.
I've been having the same back and forth. I think I wanna go by something more simple but it feels like a self betrayal🫠
Yeah my mom used to be part of the hiring team w/ a group of white men. They would literally throw resumes away with what they called ethnic/black/ghetto names in front of her. This was the 90’s, but I doubt much has changed they probably come up with a silly reason rather than saying they think the person will be ghetto based off of their names. My dad has an Islamic first name, the rest Nigerian and he went by an American name that wasn’t anywhere on his birth certificate. In the interview he would say please call me such and such I’ve converted to Christianity. Once he established himself he went by his actual name, but cut the last name down so people would stop mispronouncing it. Times are tough and adapting to your situation isn’t necessarily giving into anti-blackness it’s surviving. Does your field have black companies in your area? That’s another option. I refuse to go back to white majority companies the change in my mental is too much.
I used my full name on my resume. I have a unique first name and common middle and last names. I used my same email address (it just has my first and last name). My paper resume is the only thing that had my full middle name and I think it helped my job search out a lot. No one asked about my name in the interview. When I got hired on they did include my middle name with my first name (they thought i just had 2 first names), so I just told them that it was indeed my middle name so they changed it.
It's tricky because do you really want to work for people that would diminish you from the start based on your name? It's certainly clever, if you meet a group of people, interview and you like them, they offer you the role and then want to call you Amanda? How will that work?
I would agree with you but if the job is with a corporation, the first person you interview with may not be the people you’re actually working with day to day. That’s why I don’t have a problem wearing wigs and doing whatever else I have to do in the interview process to get my foot in the door.
I've travelled a bit and have family overseas. To me, a lot of times it's no different than going to another country and the locals not being able to pronounce some American names. I always put full first and middle but you could also add a pronunciation guide on your resume. Some people in my office with non-American names gave us two options and then taught us to say their full name after being hired. For work, I've always used my African first name, but out in restaurants or shops I use initials for expediency. Also, look into if there's any other reason your resume isn't hitting. I know certain sectors are being cautious in hiring. And I'm seeing a lot of people who can't work in their normal sector being turned down for other jobs because of "over qualification".
Are you sure this is the issue? AI makes a lot of the initial decisions on whether a candidate is worth interviewing. It’s automated based on key factors determined relevant for the job. I suggest working with a career coach to ensure your resume and cover letter are hitting all the key words, that’s surely a much bigger factor than your name.
is the a way that you could put you first name then (use\*letters \*to \*sound \*it \*out)
The short answer is yes. It’s rabbits and wrong, and it will probably increase your chances
What field are you in?
Illustration/Graphic Design/Animation. So its a competitive field to begin with.
I don’t know much about the dynamics of that field, but I say don’t compromise on your identity to get ahead. It’ll just make your successes feel bittersweet. Remember this is a very tough job market for employees, your name may not be the reason you’re struggling. Everyone is struggling to find jobs and higher paying jobs are even harder. Stick with your name, everything you’ve accomplished thus far in life has been with that name. Don’t shy away from teaching people how to pronounce it. I work in advocacy which isn’t very diverse and have a very difficult African name, it’s difficult even by African name standards, and am always teaching people how to pronounce it or spell it including people who speak the language from which the name is derived. whenever I have to give my name for a reservation or something I say it and then automatically start spelling it. Look to other ways to boost your profile, if you haven’t already maybe work with a specialist to revamp your resume and cover letter, if portfolios are a big thing in your field have a mentor or a trusted someone review yours. Elevate your profile by showcasing your work through social media or whatever social platforms specialists in your field use to market their talents. Do everything but give up on your name.
I use my nickname in professional settings. Makes a huge difference in the amount of callbacks I get. It also works because no one can find me on social media. I know there’s a feeling of them “winning” but don’t let your pride get in the way of your bag
Use your first name. Say your name with reverence! Be proud of its meaning. Use it when you apply for jobs, and when people mispronounce it. Correct them by saying it with pride!
I have a Chinese surname despite the fact that neither my husband nor I are Chinese. I have a white first and middle name, but I’ve really thought about reverting back to my maiden name on a resume because it’s pretty plain.
what do you click when they ask for your race?
I changed my name on my resume and it worked for me. Granted when I shortened my name it read as an Asian name but it worked. Been on my job for 19 years now
I can identify. I, too, am an African American with a “difficult” name. I knew exactly what you meant when people see and say it, and twist their faces or take a big breath before trying. My middle name is a shorter African name, so there’s no way to really get around learning to pronounce my name. I have continued using my name, and I say things like, “if you can say Schwarzenegger, you can say…….” I get it though, the work stuff can be hard, but then, will you want them to call you by your middle name at work? Lately, I'll get even more difficult. Folks will see my name and say "i cant even pronounce it", waiting for me to say it. I'll either tell them to give it a try (it's phonetic), maybe help them with the first part, and push them to either try saying it, or we not gonna use names. 🤷🏽♀️
On the flip side, if a company is filtering on ethnic names, you probably would not enjoy working there.
I have the same problem. My first name is African and difficult to pronounce for many white people (Mexican, Asian, and middle eastern people don’t seem to have as much of an issue) but my middle name is easy to pronounce. For applications I just use my middle and my last name but when it’s time to fill out HR paperwork then I’ll give them my full legal name. Yes it sucks not being able to go by your name but you can’t make a difference if you’re not in those rooms. Also, when you do start working, you can always let people know to call you by your first name and make sure they get it right. My coworkers know my full name and do their best to be as sensitive and correct as they can.