Are you....foreign?

So i have a foreign sounding name. Consequently, a lot of the resumes I send to job posts are met with a "are you authorized to work in the United States?"

I've had a few HR friends tell me to either put somewhere on my resume that I'm a US Citizen, or include it in the comments section of a job app. This way I reduce the chance that somebody will look at my application and discard it because they don't know whether I need sponsorship.

What do you guys think? Should I indicate my status as a preemptive measure? If yes, then where/how?

(I know its probably illegal to do that, but 1. prove it and 2. I'm sure people subconsciously do this, as we're psychologically programmed to stereotype in order to screen when we're dealing with large numbers...as HR is now with so many Finance people out of work)

10 Comments
 
hopingtobreakinWhat is a "foreign sounding name" in the United States? Personally, I think it is a moronic idea and trivial. Basically a waste of space. Chances are no one even notices.

It's your choice though.

what do you mean chances are no one notices? hr is fucking lazy and doesn't want to deal with visa shit so they screen for this. it sucks but that's how it is
 
Best Response
whatwhatwhat
hopingtobreakinWhat is a "foreign sounding name" in the United States? Personally, I think it is a moronic idea and trivial. Basically a waste of space. Chances are no one even notices.

It's your choice though.

what do you mean chances are no one notices? hr is fucking lazy and doesn't want to deal with visa shit so they screen for this. it sucks but that's how it is

Yea I didn't want to come right out and say it, but my HR friends tell me they even do it. They don't feel like spending the time to find out, so they just auto ignore foreign sounding names

I played around with it, and it looks awkward having "US Citizen" on my resume. If i put it under my name it looks awkward, and if I stick it in the certifications or interests sections then it just looks funny to be certified as a US Citizen or to have an interest in US citizen. Doesn't really flow well anywhere...

 

I had the same issue. I have a foreign name and was not getting any interviews. I eventually put on a similar sounding US name on my resume and got 3 interviews the next month. Only annoying part is having to deal with some HR confusion after getting a job. So my advice is to just change your name on your resume (not legally of course if you don't want to).

 

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