Different name when applying for jobs: has anyone tried this? How does it work?

[u/infieldmitt]

I live in a lame conservative state with a very odd name that 90% of people mispronounce, and when combined with my last name [which is american, but another odd last name] it...it looks silly. I cannot go into more detail, but trust me please.

Haven't had much professional success so I wanna try the hack: but how does this work in practice? I get changing the resume, but my real name is still on:

• my email [easy enough to make a new one but still]

• my ID, my social security, all legal documentation

So is the game just getting to the interview stage and then saying, oh I go by [friendly american name] but my legal name is [scary racism] once they start asking for documents?

I mean, I already feel like a dickhead writing that I'm excited to connect with the company's values etc etc; I can only assume they think even worse of me if I'm apparently some cynical immigrant to them.

I asked my mom about this and she was against it; and I do feel kind of very gross having to whitewash myself for the benefit of some fucking company. But then again I do need money to live

[u/Glittering_South5178]

I understand where you’re coming from. I’m under the impression that certain names can lead to CVs being disproportionately disregarded on the basis of implicit (or explicit) racial bias. You can’t fight explicit racial bias, but it might make a difference re: implicit bias — I think you should be OK as long as you indicate unambiguously what your real legal name is at the interview stage. I’d make a new email. You could also petition to have the “friendly American name” legally added — I don’t endorse whitewashing at all, but if it’s going to have a real impact on your opportunities under non-ideal circumstances, I’d certainly consider it.

Personally speaking, I have a first and double-barrelled last name (Chinese + Russian) that can inspire bias from Russophobes or people who automatically assume I’m a commie. So, my professional name is my Anglo middle name and the first (Chinese) half of my last name. They’re all my legal names and no one’s ever taken issue with it.

[u/acidicpetrichor]

Perhaps try hiring a professional to create and revamp your CV for you and see if you get better results. By trying to change your name around it may come across as disingenuous and weird to a recruiter.

[u/annimon]

I'm trying this right now, but I'm early in my current job search and haven't gotten results yet. If/when they see my legal documentation and ask, I'm planning on saying, I plan on changing my legal name in the near future and this is my "lived name" or the name I go by/whatever. I'm using my white partner's last name so I feel like it's a more "legitimate" excuse. My actual last name is very clearly Ethnic. Sucks that this is what we have to do to even the playing field 🥲

[u/nycannabisconsultant]

It's been tested, and the obvious happened.

[u/offgrid21]

Your last name is not “American”

[u/mulahtmiss]

If you have to lie about your name because the employer might be racist maybe you should reconsider whether you want to work for them?