Q: About 10 years, ago, I came to the United States from a country overseas.  I earned my first degree in accounting followed by a second degree in business organization from solid colleges.  I know I am highly qualified, competent and have excellent references.  Despite these attributes, I have circulated my resume with very little response.  A colleague told me she thinks my name is causing problems.  What do you think?

A: Sadly, that could be true.  People tend to hire those with whom they have a comfort level.  If your name is perceived as being difficult to pronounce, or “foreign,” even sophisticated organizations may be reluctant to hire you and for all of the wrong reasons.

Although core competence attracts offers, these other factors can and do play a role in the hiring process including: your name; schools you attended; social connections, and economic status.  This is even more marked in times of economic stress, transition or realignment.  With today’s job market being a challenging one, sometimes employers use all sorts of weak reasons to screen otherwise excellent candidates “out.”  What is frustrating is that, for legal reasons, they will not be direct about what they are doing and why.  Such decisions can easily be converted into discussions related to “cultural fit.”

Names are a powerful part of our identities, and anything that tinkers with our given names can feel very uncomfortable and even disingenuous. That being said, there is something you can try although I acknowledge you may feel the urge to resist. Consider the following:

Think of an Anglicized version of your first name with which you can live.  For instance, if you are a “Mei-Ling,” then consider listing yourself as “May Lee.”  If you are a “Yannich,” try referring to yourself as “John” on your resume.  Similarly, a “Lisette” might convert to “Elizabeth.”  Circulate a few copies with the Anglicized name, and see if the response level is more favorable.  This could give you a quick answer to your question.

Once you are hired, you can make a decision whether to use your “real” name or the Anglicized version.  You may find the corporate world and many not-for-profits actually respond more readily to names they recognize.

Contact Karen Alphonse or visit ExecSearches.com for more information about our career coaching services.

ExecSearches.com is a job board for nonprofit professionals.

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Last updated on July 28th, 2017 at 05:52 pm