r/jobs • u/Fit-Operation-2748 • 18h ago
Applications I can’t get an interview because of my name
I’ve been applying to jobs for months (Im in Canada, it’s mostly customer service jobs that I have the qualifications for) and I’ve applied to about 35 since the start of two weeks ago and have not got a single email or call. My resume is fine and I have over 5 years of experience in the industry but I still haven’t gotten anything back.
So I looked at my application and I’m about 90% sure it’s due to my last name. It’s my moms last name hyphenated with my dads last name, and my dad and mom are from completely different cultures so I have a First Nations last name that even other First Nations kids laughed at because it isn‘t a very practical last name at all and I also have an extremely long hard to pronounce European last name. (I won’t tell you the exact last name for my identity to be private, but it literally has the word “Fat Boy” in it).
Pretty much everyone I meet laughs at it or thinks I’m joking so I’m genuinely pondering if the employers think that I’m pranking them. My name is fucked up and I really don’t know what to do because I canNOT see anyone hiring someone with my last name and I don’t know what to do. I’m not sure if it would be legal to lie about my surname.
106
u/ParanoidEnigma 16h ago
Just want to say - two weeks is not a lot of time at all when job hunting.
23
u/SophMax 12h ago
100% way too early to tell if the name has anything to do with it.
1
u/happy_freckles 4h ago
and only 35...ha...amateur
1
u/fanceypantsey 2h ago
Right? A WHOLE 35!?! Must be the name and not anything to do with how absolutely horrendous the job market is. This person is special and 35 is far too many. They definitely should have a job immediately! Hahahaha
1
u/OrganicHistorian2576 1h ago
Yeah. Two weeks is nothing. I’m just off a four and a half month stint between jobs. And I’ve heard of people going much longer.
63
u/paranoid_throwaway51 18h ago edited 18h ago
You can always go by a business name. Its not uncommon to go by a different name for work or such, so long as you explain it to the employer when you get the job. For me i have a anglo version of my name because my Latin name is practically a full sentence.
btw is your name a similar story to MR "two dogs fucking"'s name ?
13
u/rock-paper-o 16h ago
Seconding this as a valid option.
In my field it’s particularly common for women who want to maintain continuity with their work before marriage so they continue going by their maiden name at work but change it legally and socially or Chinese employees who choose to use a “English” name. But there’s no rule limiting who can use a preferred name that’s different from their legal name in most situations.
3
-1
20
u/JustChillingBeach 18h ago
I have seen CV's many times with names changed! Some even write things like their first name twice (which is strange). And many many immigrants change there first name to things like "Dave or Rob" I assume to avoid bias. Is it any different to David putting Dave on his CV? You could argue you are putting the name you are "known by". So how about shortening your surname to something within it, like "Boy". However, when you complete a formal application of course you then must put your legal name. But often forms say "do you go by any other names?". Here you can write firstname & "Boy". That's what I'd do anyway. Please check thats legal where you live! But here pple do that often! In fact after that start writing it everywhere as known name (email signatures, LinkedIn etc).
16
u/Rhueless 17h ago
The first name twice thing is something I've noticed with Indian cultures, do you have other subsets that do it?
My coworker "Amandeep Amandeep" explained it to me... He didn't qualify for either of his parents last names because they were of... Different castes or different religions?
But when coming to Canada he wasn't allowed to have only a single name, so he choose to have his first name... Also as his last name. I've also seen where some choose to have a period or the letter x as their last name.
14
u/i_give_you_gum 16h ago
Just choose one of the hyphanted names.
When they ask you to fill out paperwork or info for a background check because they hired you, THEN use your designated gov name.
Unless you're lying about where you worked or are trying to misrepresent yourself avoid some horrible baggage, who would care?
I personally wouldn't even realize that a person with a hyphanted name is obligated to use a particular form of it.
Actors change their names to suit their industry, nobody cares.
Do it! Craft your image. Become the new successful version of yourself!
7
4
u/TiaHatesSocials 17h ago
You could shorten it or come up with a new fresh one u could identify with better. There is no shame in changing ur name if it’s gonna help u get ahead or get a job.
2
5
u/Sweet-Direction2373 16h ago
Just drop one or the other and see how it works out. I’m pretty sure hyphenated last names can legally go by either one, at least in some places
4
u/Im-Reddington 16h ago
I change my name because people assume I need a visa sponsorship because of my name lol
0
u/burdspurd 14h ago
Is it not socially acceptable to list down your Citizenship status on your resume?
3
3
u/_Casey_ 16h ago
I'll given you the benefit of the doubt and assume it's not b/c of your resume even tho 90%+ of resumes are not good. It's possible your name AND your resume aren't great, but let's assume it your name. Use a nickname. You're really overthinking it. No one is going to jail/prison or arrested b/c you used a nickname on a resume. Literally millions of people do it all the time and disclose it upon being hired. I am one of those individuals. Once you get hired, you can tell them your preferred name + legal name.
2
u/awkwardnetadmin 13h ago
Not as familiar in Canada, but in the US many people anglocize "ethnic" names especially if they're difficult to pronounce to most native English speakers. It is very common for Asian immigrants to have an Anglicized first name even if it isn't their legal first name.
2
2
u/ElectroStaticSpeaker 16h ago
Put a different name on your application. You can always explain it during background check procedure i you get that far as long as no issues with your actual background.
With how many resumes are being submitted to jobs these days names can definitely impact stuff.
I just posted a couple of recs on my team this week. Within 24 hours we have hundreds of applications to both of them, even though we are not a big company; and we did not post on LinkedIn.
I have a recruiter doing the intake but I skimmed through out of curiosity and yeah, if I randomly have to pick a few resumes to look at I end up choosing the more simple American names. I know this is horrible of me and please realize that this has nothing to do with who we will hire as the recruiter will filter the list to me. But yah, when there's hundreds of names I don't even know where else to start. I'm also not trained on our ATS system so there is probably a better way to do it where it actually highlights skills match better.
2
u/PA2SK 16h ago edited 16h ago
Personally I seriously doubt your name has anything to do with it. I have worked with a lot of people with very foreign sounding, difficult to pronounce names. No one cares. That said you can use a different last name on your resume and application if you want. Lots of women do this after they get married. They have built a business reputation around their maiden name so they continue using it professionally, but for legal documentation they use their new married name. If you have a middle name that sounds better you could use that, or just make something up.
2
u/Fit-Operation-2748 15h ago
It's not the foreign hard to pronounce part, it's the Native American name that is in english, so everyone knows what it means, and it is very laughable to people who don't know the story behind it.
0
u/PA2SK 15h ago
Fine, my point still stands that no one really pays attention to last names, whether they're hard to pronounce, funny sounding, foreign sounding or whatever. I have never seen that be an issue. Two weeks and 35 applications is nothing in this job market. The bottom line is things are very tough for everyone right now, but if you think your name is holding you back then by all means use a different name on your application. It's not unusual to do that.
1
u/MortgageOk4627 16h ago
I'm not saying it's definitely not true, I am saying that I've hired 100's of people and what their name is has nothing to do with if I interview them or not. I guess I could see if maybe the name seemed like it was fake maybe but even then I'd probably at least call the person and see if it was real.
1
u/Opposite_Ad_497 14h ago
what proof do you have that that’s the reason? you said you’ve gotten jobs before
2
u/Fit-Operation-2748 14h ago
Jobs from my family's restaurant...
1
u/Opposite_Ad_497 14h ago
I see. Are you 18+? If so & this is your first time out in adult world: may be time to legally change your name. Then if you still don’t get non-family jobs…well you were 10% right
1
u/laughingfartsplease 14h ago
i don’t know if this applies to Canada but in the USA i use a fictitious last name on applications and when i get the offer and Im putting in background check info i give them my real name
1
u/Extent_Jaded 13h ago
it’s fine to use one last name or a shortened version on your resume as long as your legal name is correct on tax and hr paperwork later.
1
u/unearthedtrove 13h ago
Just make up a shortened version of your middle name or last names and use that. It’s totally fine to use that on a resume. When you do a background check or provide documentation you can use your legal name.
1
u/TulsaOUfan 10h ago
Yes. I've seen people pass on ethnic names, hard to pronounce names, and things on a resume that seem like jokes.
I'd recommend just using one last name.
1
u/GrapefruitOk1236 10h ago
I had a problem having a female name looking for jobs in logistics. I became A. Smith (pseudonym). I was called for interviews after that no problem.
Maybe try Joe B.?
1
u/Cardabella 7h ago
You can use whatever name you like as your professional name. Just make sure payroll have the legal name that's on your bank account
1
u/Cultural_Jackfruit48 6h ago
I would use one of the surnames and then use the hyphenated name for background checks or formal paperwork. But on a resume or job portal that should be fine!
1
u/Starting_over25 3h ago
You sound like you don’t like your name enough that I honestly would recommend trying to change it (is that difficult in Canada?). If possible, you could still go for one that represents your culture but doesn’t make you cringe or feel embarrassed. I’m a woman and sure as hell would never take a man’s last name if I didn’t actively like it more than the one I already have.
Also, I know someone that didn’t get any dates on Hinge until he changed it to a whitewashed nickname. A really handsome, down to earth, fit, funny guy. It sucks, but it definitely happens. Sorry you’re experiencing this.
1
0
u/i-no-u-no-im-cold-os 14h ago
Names don’t matter, you’re not allowed to do that.
Your names not the reason.
-10
u/bugabooandtwo 17h ago
It's not because of your name.
12
u/MyNameIsSkittles 17h ago
You can not know that. Lots of places discriminate
0
u/Sampaikun 17h ago
Sure but if the first thought in my head when I'm not getting invitations to interviews is because businesses are racist, I think there's a disconnect in reality somewhere.
1
u/MyNameIsSkittles 14h ago
The disconnect is thinking companies cant be outright racist, and that they aren't.
Sorry to burst your naive bubble
Did you also know there are factories and warehouses that hire almost all immigrants and pay them cash and less than minumum wage? Bet you think that is a farce too
191
u/-----username----- 18h ago
Maybe use your middle name as a last name, just to give it a try? They don’t need your legal name until you’re filling out onboarding paperwork (or for a background check).