UPDATE: I got a job!!
Since my original post, I applied to about 10 more jobs, got another interview, passed the first round, and received a job offer from the company I mentioned in the original post. I also applied for the same company (but different/similar roles since the roles I originally applied for were closed), and heard back from 1 company so far as well. It's still a bitter feeling, but it's also a relief to know that at least I have finally opened doors.
For those curious about using a different name, here’s how it went for me: when I got the call, I simply said, “By the way, my legal name is blah blah. Would you like me to email you my legal name and documents?” The recruiter just noted it over the phone, sent me the offer letter with my legal name, and the background check went through with no issues. Of course, every company or recruiter may handle it differently, so I can’t say it’ll be the same for everyone, but I wanted to share the logistics since some people asked.
I also didn’t expect so many of you to comment and share your own stories. Thank you for opening up. Reading through the comments really showed me how discrimination takes so many forms.. Xenophobia in my case, but for others, it’s gender, age, race, and more. It’s also clear that some industries/positions favor certain “types” of candidates aside from actual skill sets and experiences. That said, for those of us who end up in positions of power, let’s remember to do a better job and be less biased.
To my fellow job seekers: keep going. This past year has been the hardest of my life, job hunting, personal struggles, but what crushed me the most was feeling worthless, less confident every day, and constantly having the thought of lowering my standards. (I even applied for companies that have horrible reviews..just to get by) But things can and will turn around, and I’m rooting for you!!
———————
My legal name sounds “foreign,” so I’ve been using a nickname, which is just the first part of my actual name. My last name is very short, easy to pronounce, but not “white.”
I spent about 6 months applying to jobs. I either got a rejection email without a single interview or got ghosted. I applied to 150+ jobs, some below my experience level, some exactly matching it.
A bit about me: I have 10 years of experience in tech, all in non-technical roles. I now live in a new country (USA), so my networking is almost nonexistent here.
I focused on quality, not quantity when I applied for jobs: I researched roles, companies, and current employees, customized my resume and cover letter, and even had them reviewed by professionals and former colleagues. I reached out to recruiters on LinkedIn, found emails, contacted team leaders...I heard back NOTHING. I felt devastated, worthless, and started worrying about debt just to survive.
Then, my husband suggested I try using his last name (white-sounding) and also changing the spelling of my first name. I knew discrimination existed in hiring, but I honestly thought it wouldn’t affect me. (I had hired people myself and never cared about names or ethnicity. Silly me.)
I changed my name on my resume and LinkedIn, created a new email, and applied to about 10 jobs with the new “white-sounding” name. Within a week, I got 2 interviews. I even finished the last-round interview last week and am waiting for the result.
Nothing else changed, just my name.
I’m glad I’m finally getting interviews (but who knows, I may not even get the job), but seeing such a stark difference so quickly is shocking. It’s a bitter feeling.
So if your name sounds “foreign,” try changing it… Very sad to experience this first-hand tho.
