Creating a new professional name

[Anonymous]

I have seen the research that resumes with ethnic names may be tossed aside or not given the same consideration-it has been discussed on here, in fact.

Lena Long marries and becomes Lena Long Hernandez
She uses a family name and chooses Lena Ludwigsson Hernandez for her resume, keeping her legal name of Lena L Hernandez intact. It is now kind of obvious that Lena is kind of Swedish perhaps.

Good idea or not? All of these names and ethnicity choices are made up btw.

[Anonymous]

Why wouldn't lena just use lena long on he resume?

Unless you are applying to the feds/state, you can be a bit more liberal on what you use, right?

[Anonymous]

I think it's not a bad idea. Sucks that it has to be that way, but studies show that names matter.

[Anonymous]

So you think Ludwigson is better than Long? I don't follow. Are you thinking Long is recognizably Asian or something? Because I don't necessarily think it is. And frankly if you're worried about ethnic stereotyping I think it's the Hernandez that's going to be the issue. But honestly if you're in the professional sphere I would just use your regular name. I don't think it happens quite as blatantly as you are envisioning, and if it does, do you really want to work for someone who is flagrantly biased against those with ethnic-sounding names?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you think Ludwigson is better than Long? I don't follow. Are you thinking Long is recognizably Asian or something? Because I don't necessarily think it is. And frankly if you're worried about ethnic stereotyping I think it's the Hernandez that's going to be the issue. But honestly if you're in the professional sphere I would just use your regular name. I don't think it happens quite as blatantly as you are envisioning, and if it does, do you really want to work for someone who is flagrantly biased against those with ethnic-sounding names?

You don't live in the real world, do you? NP here.

[Anonymous]

I wish I had changed my name in college to something easier to spell and pronounce. Once I had my degree, however, I was concerned about the disconnect between my new and old name when people would check references. While people are used to women changing their last name, a man changing his last name is not as common.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn't lena just use lena long on he resume?

Unless you are applying to the feds/state, you can be a bit more liberal on what you use, right?

Because Lena Hernandez has been at her job for 10 years, got married early in, and is now having to put out the resume with her married name. She has about 10 years of expertise associated with that name. But she has never tried for a new job with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn't lena just use lena long on he resume?

Unless you are applying to the feds/state, you can be a bit more liberal on what you use, right?

Because Lena Hernandez has been at her job for 10 years, got married early in, and is now having to put out the resume with her married name. She has about 10 years of expertise associated with that name. But she has never tried for a new job with it.

I still don't see what the problem is, if her resume is titled Lena L Hernandez and she does not spell out the middle.
My name is very ethnic and hard to spell or pronounce (think Hermenegilde Unterholtzer Juškauskene), and yet I have successfully changed jobs several times.

[Anonymous]

NP here and I don't understand OP's example either.

Using her example, Lena should just put Lena L. Hernandez on her resume. If she is worried about "Hernandez" looking too ethnic, she could add Lena Long Hernandez. But I don't see where the benefit of putting the longer, Swedish name in her name comes from?

[Anonymous]

Hold it - PP here - OK it took me a minute but I got it now. So she doesn't want Long because her ethnicity isn't obvious from the name Long? She wants to make it clear that she's a blonde caucasian to avoid the so-called bias?

I think that's a waste of Lena's time. If she's at all worried about the bias, just add the Long into her resume.

[Anonymous]

Well, using a fake name is lying, so these that. While you are not generally required to out a middle name in a resume unless it is requested, I can't imagine an employer who wouldn't be troubled if you lied on your resume. What next? Lie about your address because you think the employer may discriminate based on where you live? Lie about the location of your college because it is in a country that light lead am employer to discriminate? Really, the most basic element of a resume is that it must be truthful. I'd never hire someone who decided it was ok to lie in order to avoid the possibility if being discriminated against.

[Anonymous]

Lena could put up a good LinkedIn pic and follow the Swedish society on LinkedIn.

[Anonymous]

A well qualified minority might actually have a leg up in hiring, esp. if the company is actively seeking a diverse workplace. So, I wouldn't discount Hernandez over random Swedish last name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hold it - PP here - OK it took me a minute but I got it now. So she doesn't want Long because her ethnicity isn't obvious from the name Long? She wants to make it clear that she's a blonde caucasian to avoid the so-called bias?

I think that's a waste of Lena's time. If she's at all worried about the bias, just add the Long into her resume.

Yeah, I think that's what's going on -- she wants to clearly signal her whiteness. Creepy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hold it - PP here - OK it took me a minute but I got it now. So she doesn't want Long because her ethnicity isn't obvious from the name Long? She wants to make it clear that she's a blonde caucasian to avoid the so-called bias?

I think that's a waste of Lena's time. If she's at all worried about the bias, just add the Long into her resume.

Yeah, I think that's what's going on -- she wants to clearly signal her whiteness. Creepy.

I dunno. Every major employer these days seems to be searching for accomplished Latinas. Her name may actually get her in the door. I've even heard to kids applying to college who are giving themselves second middle names that sound Hispanic.