Names - Do they affect job prospects/opportunities?
This thought recently occurred to me; does an individual's name have any impact on job prospects?
On one's resume, name is often the first words recruiters see, and they can often make a lasting impression. No, I'm not talking about immigrants/foreigners, but native Americans that have strange/uncommon names.
When I was in school, I often associated connotations with names. I'd much rather work with a "David" than a "Zhenda" (made-up name). I've also made many first impressions through names; when someone introduces me to someone, just their name could turn me off.
This also concerns women; I tend to stay away from girls who have strange/odd names. It's just a turn-off. There's a reason why people compliment simply based on names. ("Hey, cute name!")
I'm lucky to be born with common, respectable name. One that does not give strangers reason to make skeptical assumptions of me on first impression. Personally, names have not affected my career, but I'm curious if it has affected yours, or anyone you know.
There have been several studies showing that strange/uncommon names do in fact affect job prospects.
There's still plenty of successful people with "weird" names: Mitt Romney, Reince Priebus, Newt Gingrich, etc.
That's actually Willard Mitt Romney :)
Everyone remembers Josef Stalin. No one remembers Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili.
hint: they're the same person.
Nobody has enough energy to say the second one when you’re starving.
I'm fucked
Read: Black people. Black people's names affect their job prospects. Studies have shown this.
Well, Tidjane Thiam is very black sounding.
He's the CEO of Credit Suisse (and he's very black).
Good thing he's educated and not a crackhead
To be fair, his name is distinctly West African (Ivory Coast), which is probably not the same black that most people think of. An ethnic sounding name is not the same as a ghetto sounding one. Still, your point is valid
giannis antetokounmpo
You know he is Greek, right?
Pretty sure he’s Sikh. I mean that’s why his nickname is the Sikh Freak...
Of course. If you have a name like David Solomon, how can you possibly fail in life? That name is a symbol of success. You'd never meet a homeless named David Solomon.
There is a whole chapter in the original Freakanomics on this very topic, you should check it out.
First semester of college in a general business class, first to third day of class we went over resumes. My professor started with "Look: if you have a name that is weird or might be hard to pronounce, change it on your resume. When I was working (was a lawyer), if I saw a resume with a name that would be hard to pronounce, I'd throw it out. I don't want to work with someone where its gonna be hard to pronounce your name." The look on people's faces getting offended was priceless.
So if you define success as being able to get a banking job, then no, your name won't affect your job prospects.
There are a fuckton of Asians, Indians, and other nationalities in banking these days with some definitely unique names. Have you been on LinkedIn lately? Since after the crisis, banking has become significantly more encouraging of gender and ethnic "diversity". It's no longer a blue bloods only industry.
Would you hire a Shaniqua or Goldstein to run your business?
Lol, second this. We need answers here!
Definitely Goldstein, no question here. Let's use our common sense, monkeys
@my name is goldstein
I had a fucking horrific professor in college with the last name Goldstein so I'm kind of leaning towards Shaniqua right now.
Point is would you hire a Jew sounding name or someone with a ghetto black name.
I'm not sure why I'm being given monkey hit. I'm not saying its something positive, but a lot of the way our world works.
Yes. Case closed.
Humans are not rational machines that look only at merit and ability. That's not how society works.
I'm Asian, and I know quite a few friends who changed their names on their college applications and on their resumes. I personally have not yet because I'm irrational.
Just a general suggestion about comments around social justice and lack thereof in society; can we move them to PMs instead of the public forums? I'd just personally like to see discussions about the existence of inherent biases in current society and how people have adapted to these constructed challenges rather than discussion about why these biases exist and whether they're fair.
If you change your name on your resume and what not, what do you do when you get the job offer? do you simply tell them that you lied so you can pass screening or what?
Based on what I've seen, you would start going by both names.
Yes but when they ask you for your documents, what happens? You can go by both names out of inside jokes maybe but if it is not on your passport... could they take the offer away?
I don't know if it's still on Netflix but Freakonomics actually addresses this question. Their opinion is that a name does affect an individual's likelihood of "success".
Here's a clip:
What an absolute neckbeard thing to say. I'd love to see some knockout show interest in you and you turn her away because her name isn't basic.
so ridiculous lmao
I’ve met some wild women with some wild names. Although women with names such as Beth, Patty, Louise, etc. tend to throw me off a bit. Never kept me away though.
At my old job, it was not uncommon to work with backgrounds of different ethnicity. Luckily, at the company, all that mattered was what "came" after your name, BS, MS, PhD in terms of educational background. The folks from India had names with 10-15 character letters long!
However, submitting applications directly to companies nowadays, I have had interesting phone interviews and pre-screenings performed where people found it near impossible to pronounce both my first and last name. To them, it was not worth the hassle when there's a "John" or "James" or "Brad" they can pick out from the resume pile.
I did change my name to an American first/last name, and received a lot of callbacks and interviews scheduling (otherwise I would had not gotten any). I was thinking, "I sound American, but when I walk in..." the look on their faces...truly priceless.
It's true that there are narrow minded people out there making hiring decisions who are fearful when they come across unfamiliar names. But, one shouldn't accept the outcome of their decisions. Doing so, in part, puts the blame on your name, which your mother probably so thoughtfully and lovingly chose for you. Is there anything more pathetic than blamin' mamma for the hiring choices that some uneducated person makes on your behalf? Be better, pick yourself up, and just keep playing.
Love, Doshenique Bon Qui Qui
Is My Name Too Asian? (Originally Posted: 03/25/2013)
Hello Monkeys,
Apologies in advance if this offends anyone. I'm just looking for some practical advice here...
While I am white, I have a last name that can easily be construed as Asian. In some social occasions, I have met people in person (after having been in touch through email), and they were surprised that I was white.
My question is whether this could count against me on my resume.
I've been thinking about including my long, Scottish-sounding middle names on my resume to make it clear.
Any thoughts and advice are welcome. Thanks.
Hello there, Mr. Lee.
Anyway, what's your middle name? Why not include it?
Joo wanna fuck on me?????
Interviewer: "Wong"? You're a "Wong"? You: Well, my mother was Irish. Interviewer: And your father? You: Wasn't.
Ha!
@OP, personlly i dont think it matters( it shouldnt!!) but then I am guessing you must have been on the 'other' side of matter...everything is secondary to your talent n what you bring to the table.....
Caller: Hello, can I speak to Annie Wan?
Operator: Yes, you can speak to me.
Caller: No, I want to speak to Annie Wan!
Operator: You are talking to someone! Who is this?
Caller: I'm Sum Wan ..And I need to talk to Annie Wan! It's urgent.
Operator: I know u are someone and u want to talk to anyone! But what's this urgent matter about?
Caller: Well just tell my sister Annie Wan that our brother, Noe Wan was involved in an accident. Noe Wan got injured and now Noe Wan is being sent to the hospital. Right now, Avery Wan is on his way to the hospital.
Operator: Look if no one was injured and no one was sent to the hospital from the accident that isn't an urgent matter! You may find this hilarious, but I don't have time for this!
Caller: You are so rude! Who are you?
Operator: I'm Saw Lee.
Caller: Yes! You should be sorry. Now give me your name!!
What is it?
I doubt including a whatever sounding middle name would help. Have you actually been in situations that your Asian sounding last name actually disadvantages you? I find it extremely hard to to imagine such thing especially in finance.
Being Asian in finance is a disadvantage IMO b/c of the negative stereotypes that are partially true about Asians in finance. There's a stereotype out there of the quanty, unsocialized, nerds that are prototypical 'work horses' in IBD groups that won't make it past an analyst stint b/c they lack social skills. The discrimination is below the surface though and the interviewer might not even realize it. Not saying the discrimination ends candidacy or locks you out, but I think its an additional thing Asian candidates in IBD are forced to overcome.
Difficult names (Originally Posted: 10/22/2011)
Hi all,
So obviously finance is a pretty diverse place (at least when it comes to cultures) and there are people from all around the world. As a result, you can meet people with some difficult names to pronounce.
What are your thoughts on people with difficult first names? Does your attitude towards them change in any way? I know at least one exec who changed his name because it was weird. Do you think people with difficult names have it a bit harder in business?
Interested to hear your thoughts on this wacky topic!
People have all kinds of advantages and disadvantages. From personal background, to speech, to appearance (especially height apparently), to personality to etc. the list of sets, each containing numerous qualities, goes on and on. A name probably isn't among the highest. Wolf Blitzer has a great TV name. Barack Hussein Obama had a horrible politician name (especially post 9/11). One simple solution which comes naturally is calling someone by an abbreviation. And if its someone important- then pronouncing their name is your problem not theres.
That said, change your name if you want- its fairly easy (but annoying and can take a few months- e.g. getting a new passport, license, etc). but do it before you start your career track or else you'll have to explain it to people looking at your background- and they might think you're "vain" or worse- ashamed of your cultural background.
[ do it before you start your career track or else you'll have to explain it to people looking at your background- and they might think you're "vain" or worse- ashamed of your cultural background.[/quote]
Good point
What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard.
Why would attitudes change because of someone with an uncommon name? And the exec "changed" his name, perhaps it's a nickname, you idiot...for only one reason...so that his colleagues wouldn't feel uncomfortable mispronouncing his name.
If you want to express your opinion learn how to do it in a civilized way.
i have a unique name and it comes to my advantage quite often, people remember me when i call/email them. When I shoot out resumes to people and follow up, they usually can recall if they looked at my resume. It will probably be useful down the road when i continue to build up my network.
Putting my name on my Resume (Originally Posted: 03/31/2012)
I'm thinking of putting my name down on my resume as 'L. James Merton' (the 'L' stands for a name that gives away something about my background that might not be conducive to getting an interview).
However, most people who have these kinds of names (e.g. J. Edgar Hoover, L. Ron Hubbard) are assholes; so should I still do it?
Another way of putting the question: if you saw the name 'L. James Merton' as opposed to 'Lawrence James Merton' or 'Lawrence J. Merton' or 'L.J. Merton' or 'Lawrence Merton' or 'James Merton', what would your reaction be?
Serious?
does the L stand for LeBron
What did you do - kill a guy?
Let the jokes continue but I can see why someone would have a concern about this so here's my take: L. James Merton: too much for any junior role. (ie your concern is valid) Lawrence James Merton: looks like you put your full name on your resume, so no Lawrence J. Merton: this is the idea case but i don't think you wanna be called lawrence (i'm guessing you go by james) L.J. Merton: really?! what's next? "T.J "? Lawrence Merton: not unless you wanna be called lawrence James Merton: looks good
That said, you're not gonna get dinged for how your name reads. Well, if you put L.J then maybe you will.
I would have to agree with everything that EngBanker said. You probably won't get dinged for your name, with the exception of L.J., because its not like you picked it yourself. Just put what you want to be called by, not L.J., and everything will work out.
Lieutenant?
If not, dont bother. If so, dont bother; it would be in the employment/experience section anyway.
Or do you mean the 'L' says something about your heritage which could stop you getting a callback?
Why not just James Merton if you thin the "L." is going to hurt you?
Lord? Lol
Lequeesha
don't get too harsh on yourself, James.
To be safe, go with James
good luck.
If your name is Lawrence, I wouldn't put it - here's what happens to people called Lawrence:
I wouldn't worry too much about it. Do you think LL Cool J wrote his full names on his resume?
This is the strangest thread ever.
What's the problem with the name "Lawrence"? I am not seeing the issue here.
sounds like a pretty white name to me... should be a +
How about "Larry J. Merton" ??
1st world problem
Has to be Lebron James Merton.
Lebron J. Merton
Lhitler James Merton?
Actually, he goes by his real name Todd Smith when auditioning for acting gigs.
Closest to being on the right track.
Thanks for the responses guys (especially EngBanker)!
Lenin?
Lol
How should I put my name? (Originally Posted: 06/10/2013)
This question may seem silly and guess it is not making too much sense but I would like to know how people from European countries put their names when applying for jobs, yet for anything else? An example name in our country: "Jókai Olivér"
So should I put the name in a form like this: "Olivér Jókai" "Oliver Jokai" or just "Jókai Olivér"
Thanks!
first comes first, last goes last.
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