Does Your Name Affect You Getting A Job?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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For instance, research has shown that

having an easy-to-pronounce name makes people like you more

, and having a common name can increase your likelihood of getting hired. … So if you're looking for a way to differentiate yourself, consider using your middle name or initial in your email address and .

Should I change my name to get a job?

Using a professional name is about levelling the playing field and getting a fair chance to interview. Once you're at the offer stage or in the door of a company you can ask

to use your legal name

for official purposes or, if you feel that your career would benefit from a new professional name, stick with it.

Do names matter for jobs?

(Answer: Yes! Listening now.)

Names do matter

. A 2003 study showed that when job interviewers had nothing to go on except , people with “white”-sounding names were 50 percent more likely to get interviews than people with names associated with African-Americans.

Does your name impact your success?

In fact, there's a great deal of influential power that comes attached to a name. Not only do they sculpt your personality, but they also sculpt others people's perceptions and ultimately, your future! … Names have actually been seen to have

a significant influence

on how successful our lives become.

Can you not hire someone because of their name?

This means that if an employee suspects he has not been hired based on his or her name, it could be

an illegal act of discrimination

, and a lawsuit could legitimately be filed, pending an investigation by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Can I put a nickname on my resume?

Is it Okay to Use Your Nickname on Your Resume? …

Nicknames are perfectly acceptable to put on a resume as long as they aren't too informal

. Using “Dan” as the shortened version of “Daniel” is just fine, but shortening “Benjamin” into “Jamster” is not (even if, God forbid, that's what you like to be called).

Should your name be in your email address?

Good Practices: When job searching use an email address that includes your full name, first name / last name, initials, or a minor variation. If you have a common name or are finding it challenging to create a new email address, try

adding a middle name, middle initial or random number

.

Does your name really matter?

The fact is that your name

will probably not affect

your life too much in any significant way – but it can tell people a little something about who your parents are. There are patterns to be gleaned from names data – not only ethnic and religious patterns but clues about your parents' values, and their social standing.

How successful is your name?

“I don't think any more people should see it.” The film has now

grossed more than three hundred and twenty-six million dollars worldwide

, making it the most successful anime film of all time—surpassing even Hayao Miyazaki's “Spirited Away,” from 2001.

What are the most successful names?

If you're expecting a boy,

Johns

come out on top with over 540 male celebrities holding the name, followed by Robert with 450 and James with just under 400. Other names that made the top ten are Michael, William, Richard, David, Tom, Chris and Steve.

Can you ask a company why they didn't hire you?

How to Ask Why You Weren't Hired. Occasionally, employers will share some feedback with candidates who represent a genuine interest in improving their job search communications. You'll have

better luck

if you don't ask directly why you weren't hired.

What are illegal hiring practices?

The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits hiring practices that

discriminate against applicants or independent contractors based on race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related conditions and genetic

Does an employer have to tell you why they didn't hire you?

Employers in

the United States do not have to give a reason for not hiring you

. Many employers choose to send a standard rejection letter without explaining why you did not receive the job. However, even sending a rejection letter is not a legal requirement.

Can I legally use my nickname?

Yes,

as long as the nickname is sufficient to identify you as party to the contract

, but generally a full legal name is better able to do this. Example: Brian James Smith is more identifiable than BJ Smith.

What size font should your name be on a resume?

The standard font size for resumes is

12 points

in a classic and easily readable font. Larger fonts are good for emphasizing your name and section headings. If you can't fit your content on one page you could try using a sans-serif font at 10 points, but that's the minimum font size you should use.

How do you put a full name in a nickname?

Usually, a nickname

is placed directly after the official first name

, and is surrounded by quotation marks, to distinguish it from the components of the real name. Dwayne ‘The Rock' Johnson. Elvis ‘The King' Presley. Roy ‘The Big O' Orbison.

Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.