Am I possibly facing name based discrimination because of my muslim/arabic name, if so should I use a nick name on my resume or change it fully?

[Anonymous]

My entire name is muslim/arabic name. I'm not from anywhere else neither were my parents or theirs, fully American. But my parents became muslim and gave me this name at birth.

I'm not muslim myself. But I only keep the name because I don't feel like going through the hassle of changing my name on all of my legal documents, bank accounts, and online accounts already with it.

I've applied to so many jobs in the past and in recent months that I have skills for and demonstrated it and I've applied to lesser jobs, but none seems to call me back or even reach out.

So I'm just wondering and trying to find the best approach.

Use nickname on resume.

Legally change name.

Possibly not facing name based discrimination.

[jennifer_bloom]

You could put a nick name in brackets next to the middle of your Muslim name, or even use initials such as C. S. Lewis. Or you could put an English translation of your Arabic name on the resume as your bracketed name / word (s).

Or on the resume, you could put things like, / “volunteered for the British Drama Club,” / “Taught English to high school students” / “Had five English essays published in magazines,” / Scored in the 99% percentile on the reading comprehension test. /

[Asker]

I will give that a try, thank you.

[Anonymous]

If you are living in the USA, I would suggest changing it just to safe.

[strateguy632]

Until things change, you win with a minority name so keep it.

[Jay-_-]

I wouldn't want to assume it's because of your name.

[AI Opinion]

Navigating name-based discrimination can be challenging. Using a nickname on your resume can be a practical compromise, allowing you to maintain your legal name while simplifying your job search process. Reflect on how you're presenting your qualifications and experience as well. Ensure your resume is clear and targeted to each job. If you continue facing challenges, consider networking or reaching out to companies directly to establish connections. Discrimination shouldn't be a barrier, but sometimes adapting your approach can enhance opportunities. Ultimately, choose the path that aligns with your comfort and personal values.

[molonski2]

Start with a nikname