Can a name be a deterrent?

Question

In my job search, I very rarely get any type of response from employers after applying. I realize this is very common and not something I'm overly concerned about, but in some cases, I've been ghosted even when fully qualified and referred by someone. I don't tend to take it personally because I have never even met the hiring managers, but a thought occurred to me today.  It's probably completely unfounded, but is it possible hiring managers could subconsciously see my name (Karen) and think I'm a 'Karen?' It sounds ridiculous, yes, but I wondered if anyone puts that association there when they meet someone named Karen, even without realizing it. Thoughts?

Katrina Honer · Answer

I am not sure about the name 'Karen' being associated negatively nowadays specifically in recruiting but yes, in general, names are just one of the many  deterrents; to better clarify, they do trigger unconscious bias.

As a Black woman, I have experienced this several times. I've been told 'Oh, I didn't realize you're Black' once I met an employer in person. (I know!) Thankfully, this has not happened recently.

But then, there are other layers. (How male names generally are more favorable, and then it ethnicity, etc).

Here are two recent studies about unconscious bias that might be an interesting read: 
https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/talent-acquisition/pages/researchers-new-study-method-catches-resume-bias.aspx

https://zety.com/blog/resume-bias 
--> (Resume Bias: Gender, Names, Ethnicity [2020 Study]

Anonymous · Answer

I dont think that generalization is as prevalent as the media would have us believe.    Honestly I doubt that the use of 'karen' as a descriptor will be remembered.     It's already getting old and tired used less and less

Anonymous · Answer

I would be very surprised if there was active discrimination because of the name Karen.  Karen strikes me as a neutral name, and I don’t believe that people assume that someone named Karen fits the “busy body” stereotype.

I am more inclined to think that your results are due to the difficult job environment.

If you’re willing to experiment, though, consider sending out your resume under your middle name or as K. Middle Name. Would be interesting to see if there is a difference in response.

Heather Morrison, PCM, CDMP · Answer

Honestly I think it has less to do with a name in most cases (because name descrimination is a problem), and more to do with a VERY BROKEN HR/hiring system and reliance on ATS and automation.

Anonymous · Answer

More progressive companies now a days are taking out bias-inducing qualities from resumes such as names to help combat this! Hopefully that mentally will continue to spread but we may not see it in smaller organizations for a while. But I agree with Katrina - bias certainly exists!

Karen Mattox · Answer

I'm wondering that one, too!

Karen Hale · Answer

Thank you all for your insights. Absolutely there is an unfortunate bias around race and gender, and I love that some companies are taking steps to remove that. I think part of the reason I was questioning a name bias - and that could even be as trivial as a negative experience a hiring manager once had with a person with the same name - stems from the fact that there are likely so many applicants for each job opening. They are presumably looking for reasons to weed people out. Just a thought, and you all have provided some great resources.

Kathi Elster · Answer

I agree with what everyone is saying, unconscious bias is real. I have an idea - why not address this in your cover letter.  You can use your name Karen as a point of reference, by saying that while the name Karen is being used as a negative in our culture, your work ethic will show how that false narrative is not about everyone named Karen.  It would be addressing the elephant in the room.  Just a thought.

Anonymous · Answer

Hi Karen. I think you should look into the idea of “unconscious bias,” not to find evidence of a specific bias against the name Karen, but to learn more about how some names trigger a bias often due to assumed race. While I understand that the name Karen might have some negative connotations right now, know that there are people who have missed out on jobs/opportunities they were beyond qualified for their whole lives due to racism or an unconscious bias.

If you don’t want to appear as one of those “Karens,” (a white woman who uses her privilege to make demands at the expense of others, or also, a white woman who puts black people’s lives in jeopardy over nothing) maybe take the time to examine your own privilege. And I’m aware in writing this that I know nothing about you besides your name, so take all this with a grain of salt. Good luck with your job search!

https://www.payscale.com/career-news/2020/02/5-ways-job-searching-is-harder-for-black-women

You're invited.

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