Are these an issue? I have a very ethnic legal name, and I know it was an issue in earlier years, but is this an even bigger issue due to political climate?
I've been searching for over 2 years with well over 2500 applications/resumes, with only a handful of interviews, only to be ghosted or rejected (web development field is a hellscape nightmare as we all know). My savings are gone, and I now have two roommates to help foot my housing costs. And I still need help!
I'm also plagued with anxiety, ocd, and panic disorders, so i've been fixating a lot as i dont know what could be the issue. I'm also queer, so that also fucks me up some, too.
I still do my due diligence, but it has worried me a lot. I used to be able to get work within weeks, my skills and experience are pretty good, and i'm cordial. I just feel like a failure and all thats available is bigoted employers and bait and switch scams.
Welcome to the club. I do have an ethnic sounding name, and only started getting interviews when I used an “American” sounding name…
Even though I was born and lived all my life in the US.
How do you do this? Do you put an American name on the resume, but your real legal name on the app? I have a very ethnic name as well, but I am half white and born and raised in the US.
It depends… some applications let you use a “preferred name”. If that’s the case I put on both.
If not, I just use my nickname.
Also, list your citizenship on top of your resume. (If you’re a citizen of that country).
This got me interviews. But got weird looks when they see my face.
Good luck!
When putting your citizenship on your resume, does the ATS somehow know or something?
I don’t think so… but i do it for the recruiter.
I actually had a recruiter tell me during a phone screen that it was a smart idea…
Are you visibly queer? Coming from trans person, NEVER disclose that you are queer to a potential employer unless you are applying specifically to a place that is to help LGBTQ+ individuals.
As per the ethnic name part, I’ve got a very white name so that’s not something I’ve got experience in. I have heard stories about people with ethnic names put a similar, white-sounding name on their resume and alllll of a sudden they start getting interviews. This could easily be explained when you get to the background check phase as “oh I go by X to make it easier for people” (which is an unfortunate excuse but. Whatever)
This job market also just sucks. I’ve worked at a MAJOR company in my field, and despite it, I got 400+ applications deep and only one job offer related to my field. And it was another temp position.
I'm trans-nonbinary, but visably queer, which also effs me up. I use my deadname on application/resumes because previous employers used it on all documentation, and the last few jobs went under or were bought out(layoffs), so i've been using that, as much as it pains me.
I hate being painfully aware of how fucked up this market is. I have worked with many recruiters, and all of which want to undersell me, like 40k annual for a project manager role. I made at least twice that previously. Its awful.
Are you located in the US/is your current legal name your deadname? I was using my preferred name on applications before I legally changed it, despite previous employer having my deadname. I didn’t run into any issues with that, but granted I live in the US in a more progressive area. I did run into some transphobia before I started passing.
I recommend taking a step back from applications/throwing shit at the wall. Start doing some research on companies near you that are progressive, accepting of LGBTQ+/your ethnic background, and accessible to your mental health issues. Cold email people. I’ve gotten a few interviews for roles because of that.
Don’t be afraid to look at universities too. A lot of US based colleges will offer benifits to employees you can’t get elsewhere.
I am in Floriduh, so local hasnt been the best. I did apply and had an interview with the university here, and while it went well, they ended up closing the position and ghosted me, even after multiple attempts to contact, with the added fuckery of them sending me unprompted rejection emails, even months after the interview. It's just salt in the wound.
Its just shit on the wall day after day. I'm a high achiever with adhd, so i go to town on research and sending put resumes. The extra work doesnt bother me. It's what we're all encountering. Even a fast food job isnt hiring.
ATSes don't make decisions or gatekeep