Is it okay to change your first name on a resume?

Question

All my life, I have been teased due to my first name.

Which isn't really a bad name- in fact, most people now think it's pretty (now that i'm older). However, the name is very uncommon/old and I've been told my whole life that it sounds like an "African name."

Now, I'm all about celebrating equality, but apparently a lot of people aren't. I have been applied to jobs my whole life and I rarely get a call back. A close friend of mine that I went to school with has a very similar resume and working experience as me- since she usually recommends me for the an opening at a job she already as- ALWAYS gets calls to 9/10 jobs she applies to. Her name is very common and since we were kids- I believe she gets calls over me due to the name issue.

Is it okay to change my first name to a name that is slightly different than mine? I tried the first initial thing, I suppose I could try my middle name- that's not a straight lie.

Answer 1

When they do background checks your name needs to match your records.  You don't want to do something that makes it appear you are submitting "false" info.  On the resume why don't you put only the first letter of your first name, and use your middle name.  That would resolve both issues for the time being.  Good luck to you!  (college prof/retired IBM exec mgr)

Answer 2

No u be proud of your name no matter what nobody says if they talk about your name talk about theirs don't just stand there and take it because then they'll be calling u a sissy for not defending yourself,and plus that's the name your parents gave u u have to live up to it.And let's be honest here for a minute if u get caught lying about your name there is no job for u they're not gonna accept a liar u might as well get that out your head.Think about what i'm telling u.

Answer 3

Yes - change your name...but like the others side it needs to fit.

If you can call yourself. Ally - and says its short for Allyson or whatever fits your situation that will work.  Or your middle name.  I apply under my nickname all the time - because that is what I am called.

Answer 4

ok the ppl that answered has no idea what there talking about, you can change your first name on a resume, i do it all the time, but it has to be one of your middle names, if your fortunate like me you can choose from 3 middle names.. if you only have 1 middle name than use that.. my name is kesha and it sounds african american as well and so I use my middle name which is Sarah.. and i always got an interview if i used that name instead of my first name, remember to write your first name initial, in my case it would be k.sarah k stands for karry, and the sarah is the name i want to use.. so if they do ask about it or check my social insurance number, it wont be completly off...