At this point we can say it's racism :)

36 Comments

1. JenniferAugust 20,2025 at 4:24PM UTC

   This is tough. It could be racism. It could also be the fact (as you said yourself) that the job market is worse now than it has been in the years past and everyone really is struggling to find work when perhaps like you, they never did before. That being said, I can definitely understand your thoughts. My sister's partner did the same thing and changed his name on his resume and he said that he received quite a few more call backs as well. I do not know what the answer is. In my mind, there should still be plenty of companies looking to hire a diverse pool of employees, yet I know it does not seem like this is true. It's a very real and troubling concern, however, (again, as you said) do not completely eliminate the fact that everyone is struggling to find work right now - even those with plenty of experience.

2. AnonymousAugust 20,2025 at 6:06PM UTC

   I believe you!! I was in the same boat. Seek out minority recruiters. That's how I just landed my most recent job with high pay. And I prayed a lot!

3. Elizabeth Stiles WestAugust 20,2025 at 11:52PM UTC

   You are right to be concerned about racists and employment discrimination. Be sure that you're keeping ALL the receipts. In the interview in which they said your appearance was "unexpected," I hope you asked them what they meant to at least make them feel uncomfortable with their racism; you could ask them "were you surprised that I'm tall or short or left-handed or even prettier than you imagined" and watch them stammer their response. Seriously though, you might want to talk to someone at the EEOC about this. Decades ago, a good friend faced something similar but with sexism instead of racism. Her name is Patricia and she works in the computer networking field, which is very male-dominated. She wasn't getting interviews with Patricia on the resume, so she changed it to Pat and suddenly got abundant interviews. At one of the interviews, she managed to convince them that a woman could do the job, and got her foot in the door. Therefore, you might want to send future resumes with Sandy as the first name, even though that's really terrible that you have to do that in 2025. I would have hoped society would have advanced more than that, but in some ways, it seems that things are going backward. In any case, I'm sorry you are having to deal with this, and I hope you get a great job offer soon.

4. AnonymousAugust 22,2025 at 12:31PM UTC

   The EEOC has been dismantled

5. AnonymousAugust 22,2025 at 1:13PM UTC

   Are you certain that comment was racism? As a woman in mainly IT-related roles, I have heard that before. I got more responses when I used “Chris” vs “Christine”. They didn’t expect a female, or someone my age either. Yes, racism exists. So do plenty of other ‘isms. Don’t dwell on what you can’t control. Best way to get a job is networking. That hasn’t changed.

6. AnonymousAugust 21,2025 at 12:34PM UTC

   That's a pretty bold statement you are making, without much empirical proof other than an N of 1 with a lot of conjecture. Correlation does not imply causation.

7. GirlBossanova934974August 21,2025 at 12:48PM UTC

   I would avoid this approach. You are looking at a very small timeframe and a sample size of 1 person. Recruiters come and go in bunches. One week or for 2 weeks, your phone can be ringing off the hook and the next 3 weeks, nothing. In my view, what we have today is tribalism. If you are younger than X years and apply to a company where you fit that demographic, your chances go way up. Race does not matter. 90% female workforce? same. 80% male? Same again. You fit the demographic, you have a better chance All you have do is look at a picture of "the team". This is the result of hiring for "cultural fit". Last not least, please keep in mind that many job openings these days are not real. They are ads for outsiders to apply so the insider hiring looks legit. And in same cases, the company is out there collecting resumes or just trying to see what knowledge they can extract from job seekers aka free consulting.

8. AnonymousAugust 21,2025 at 1:28PM UTC

   This is a case in which I believe BOTH things are true. Racism is real in the workplace and job hunt. As a woman of color, I have experienced it my whole career. The market is insanely bad right now. All of us are feeling it. I'm senior in my profession and getting calls for roles paying a third of my rate to do things I did 1 year into my career. So, I believe it's a combo platter.

9. AnonymousAugust 22,2025 at 12:30PM UTC

   Same. There's DEFINITELY something in the water beyond a tough market for candidates of color. Don't give up but don't gaslight yourselves either

10. AnonymousAugust 21,2025 at 5:11PM UTC

    Wow, a lot to unpack here. Yes, the struggle is real, yes this administration (using that word lightly) is failing those of us who need support. Yes, racism is real. And yes changing your name if that gets more activity on your resume is helpful. What is horrific is the person who commented this: appearance "not being expected" during an interview. I sure hope you let them have it or at least asked for clarification of what they meant by that. If you truly believe it is because you are POC then report them to their leadership or the EEOC. The job market at the moment in some sectors is a bit like a trip to he// because it is taking forever to get a job. Are you asking the things you need in interviews? Are you struggling in the process at a certain step in things? Check your own gut about that because you may see a pattern if so that you can change. If not keep plugging and the right company that deserves you as you are and with all of your expertise is out there!

11. AnonymousAugust 22,2025 at 12:26PM UTC

    It's not in your head. .. more and more companies are REQUIRING LinkedIn links so they can see the candidates and do backdoor references looking for dirt. I can almost guarantee you that they are disproportionately screening out Black candidates using these unethical methods. Racial discrimination is not only legal but it's encouraged from the top these days...

12. AnonymousAugust 22,2025 at 12:28PM UTC

    PS Anyone suggesting filing racial discrimination complaints definitely has NOT been watching the anti-black guidance put into place at the EEOC. Completely useless.

13. Rashida GovanAugust 22,2025 at 12:33PM UTC

    I'd like you to spend some time thinking about why you felt compelled to prove that racism didn't exist when so many others have clearly experienced it. It's as if by defying that notion through your own experience, you could deny it was a factor. Now that you've finally experienced it, it's suddenly an issue. It has always been an issue. I'm sorry you're dealing with it. But I cannot say that it doesn't bother me that you "felt the people saying this were lying and that I proved there was no credibility to that..." and somehow your personal experience negates what countless others have expressed was their experience. I pray your search goes well. And I hope you've learned to remain open to the experience of others rather than dismissing it because it doesn't apply to your personal experience.

14. AnonymousAugust 22,2025 at 12:39PM UTC

    They definitely notice when the name is too ethnic.

15. AnonymousAugust 22,2025 at 12:45PM UTC

    It is so sad that we are dealing with this in 2025.

16. AnonymousAugust 22,2025 at 12:45PM UTC

    I'm so sorry that you have experienced that. Sadly, racism (while always there) is clearly thriving in this current environment. You should do what you think you should do. If using your nickname opens more doors then go right ahead. Let your qualifications and experience shine through. Wishing you the best of luck!

17. WandaAugust 22,2025 at 1:28PM UTC

    Well, racism is still alive and well. Not even having a black president of the United States was able to reverse it. Folks will always have their biases. And sometimes it goes both ways.

18. AnonymousAugust 22,2025 at 2:24PM UTC

    Unfortunately, having a black president seemed to bring the racists out of the woodwork.

19. Mary BlakeAugust 22,2025 at 1:37PM UTC

    Ohh yes- I’ve soo many similar experiences that it has caused panic attacks, recurrence of depression and trauma. Please consider using your skills to start your own business so this experience is minimized. It also negatively affects your mental health. Consider becoming an entrepreneur or at least multiple streams of income.

20. AnonymousAugust 22,2025 at 2:00PM UTC

    May i ask, how do you explain the name change during an actual interview ? I've seen plenty or Reddit's, LinkedIn posts and TikTok's that have mentioned doing this is almost a crucial part of the game in todays job market. I just cannot fantom the explanation process.

21. AnonymousAugust 22,2025 at 2:33PM UTC

    Unfortuantely, it happens. My legal name is in Spanish. Yet, I am an American citizen. About 2 years before Trump got reelected president whenever I would get hired at various jobs HR people always thought I was an immigrant. I would lose out on geting rehired even though I have a Social Security card.

22. AnonymousAugust 22,2025 at 2:52PM UTC

    I have had issues before President Trump. To blame this single out this administration would to forget American History. Instead of blaming there are plenty of Attorneys would take your case for free especially if it is against the Trump Administration. Please contact the American Bar Association.

23. AnonymousAugust 22,2025 at 2:54PM UTC

    Not necessarily racism. With the rise of diversity and equity, our company has passed on well qualified candidates and encouraged to hire candidates if they meet the qualifications and are not Caucasian.

    I've gone months without a callback then suddely several come through. It's the typical fluctuations in the job market.

24. AnonymousAugust 22,2025 at 5:37PM UTC

    the argument could be made that the pendulum had swung too far against white males back during the "me too movement" and now it is swinging too far in the opposite direction thanks to trump and his hatred. i'm sorry you are going thru this. layoffs happen to most leaders along the way. keep plugging away. forward thinking companies are still out there.

25. Neecie Bee.August 22,2025 at 7:12PM UTC

    This!

26. AnonymousAugust 22,2025 at 7:37PM UTC

    I'm sorry you are experiencing that, and now you have a little insight into the Black experience on the job hunting front. It gets worse when you are actually black, I've heard stories where people are being ghosted because the interviewer finds out Rebecca is a Black woman. Things are tough out there. I wish you the best of luck.

27. AnonymousAugust 22,2025 at 9:04PM UTC

    It may well be - Use the name that gets the most responses.

    I am not a minority except for being older and female, but have been in a male-dominated industry for my whole career. Discrimination does happen - on many characteristics.

    On the racial dimension: I have a good friend who was hired because she checked three boxes, older, female, and minority. She ended up being frozen out of training and all opportunities in the company. Not a good match.

    Have also been a contractor and had a similar experience.

    Bottom line: You want a place where you can be free to be yourself and grow. Use all of your connections and keep looking until you find it. I have done this in the past and ended up with some very satisfying and fulfilling opportunities. You are interviewing the company as well as them interviewing you.

    Meanwhile, if you are suffering financially, take a contract job - Those are much easier to obtain. Be sure to indicate what advantages you bring to a company - especially how you can affect the bottom line: Revenue produced, time saved, customers acquired, etc. and be sure lead with these items and attach numbers.

    Wishing you well in using your connections to find a satisfying, fulfilling role!

28. AnonymousAugust 23,2025 at 12:23PM UTC

    Unfortunately, it is true that people can be rejected for a position if they have an Ethnic sounding name.

29. AnonymousAugust 24,2025 at 8:36AM UTC

    Definitely an issue, and the current administration has just made it more acceptable in certain people's eyes. I am a black woman, definitely with an ethnic sounding name. I've had to work twice as hard to be respected in positions, and I have been working at the same company for almost 9 years and would dread getting back out there if I had to find something else (I am luckily and thankfully very happy where I am at). But even being here, it took years to garner respect from my higher-ups, in which I am thankful to have done.

30. AnonymousAugust 24,2025 at 11:56AM UTC

    Join the club. While it sounds like you are turning a terrible job market personal, you are hung up on labeling it racial.

    Honestly, everyone is experiencing the struggle and having a stellar resume isn't the slan dunk it used to be.

31. Janet ParkhurstAugust 26,2025 at 1:04AM UTC

    I think you meant slam dunk...

32. AnonymousAugust 24,2025 at 1:54PM UTC

    Everyone is struggling currently, but as you've shown, having a black sounding name will have you eliminated, just like showing up black will have you eliminated. Ultimately, what's yours is yours, but racism is very real. Could it be that you didn't feel it as much cos you worked in govt or govt facing/adjacent environments where diversity is required? I thought of that when you said Trump's layoffs affected you. Cos if you had been in the private sector all your life, you would have felt this a whole lot more. I met a Harvard educated Engineer with a white sounding name who also sounds white & had problems getting jobs past the one he got when he was hired from school. He sounds white with a white sounding name, so when he'd show up for interviews they wouldn't be expecting a dark skinned black man to show up & he wouldn't get the job. He said to save his time that was being wasted by going to many interviews, during phone interviews he'd always insert that he's black, & many stopped responding, but the few that wanted him did...

33. AyianAugust 25,2025 at 12:39PM UTC

    There are many studies going back decades that clearly show having a non-white ethnic sounding name results in poor performance in interviews, job offers, rate of pay, offenses to be talked to about, work up for, and fired for, promotions, raises, and layoff order. This has not changed.

    However, there is more widespread use of AI and algorithms to filter candidates and nearly all of them have been written by white men with privilege and latent racism, then fed parameters to suit racist white people. Ultimately, it's the hiring staff's job to determine who to hire, but if you're already filtered out, the generally casual racism is even more pronounced.

34. AnonymousAugust 25,2025 at 5:50PM UTC

    I have a "white" name that doesn't match my skin tone (I guess) ... it gets me an interview every time! Along with my outstanding resume. BUT the looks of surprise I get when they see that I am in fact not white are ... depressing and disconcerting to say the least.

35. Gee EmmAugust 28,2025 at 6:57PM UTC

    "so many of my counterparts lose rolls."

    I hope they lose roles and not rolls.

    Either way, count yourself luck you CAN change your name and rudeness, not unemployment and higher insurance and worse healthcare are all that you are getting.

36. AnonymousSeptember 10,2025 at 6:21PM UTC

    your comment is not helpful, and is irrelevant