Can I use a fake last name for job applications and my resume? My last name is blatantly eastern euro (and my mom's maiden name is from central/west Asia). I have a US citizenship, a US bachelor's degree, and a CPA.

Anyways, I keep dealing with hiring managers who tell me I'm good at English and want to know how long I've lived in US. I've heard it from an EY hiring manager, an owner of a small local CPA firm, and a french multinational's HR. I'm just fed up.

I think it's important for the people who are saying "just be yourself," or "be proud of who you are" to understand that a person also needs a job. I love who I am, but I would rather have to hide something about myself than be homeless.

Be proud of who you are. If you have an accent, no matter how long you lived in the US, People always ask.

Annoying but I don’t think you need to put your legal name at all on your resume. As some above said, you can use nicknames, preferred names, etc. just like I’ve seen people named William put bill, why can’t you also put whatever you want? Let them figure it out during the background check if you get that far.

That’s weird. I’m Eastern European and my first and last name speak for it lol never had a problem. The only question they had whether I needed a visa, and after clarification all the questions stop. You’re over thinking it. Be confident, positive, likable and, if you know how to sell your skills, you’re good. Keep your name, it’s your identity and who you are. And if they don’t accept it, you don’t want to work there

As an HR professional, if hiring managers or recruiters ask where you are from, question your last name, or comment on your accent, this constitutes national origin discrimination. Such behavior is a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). I understand that you may be concerned that your last name might be affecting your job search, but why would you want to work for an organization that tolerates any form of discrimination?

I wouldn’t use a fake one. Perhaps just use the first letter of your last name. Show “John S.” instead of “John Smith.”

I’m also from Eastern Europe and that last what got me hired. Whether it’s true or not, there’s a stereotype that Easter Europeans are hard workers. Half of our firm is from Easter Europe. I think this is a positive.

The firms asking you these questions might be influenced by the immigration issues happening right now.

If someone is biased or reluctant to go forward with you based on your name, ethnicity or even accent, that’s not the place for you to work or be engaged in any capacity. Unless the job specifically requires all of the criteria mentioned above (explicitly), these factors should not be your concern neither theirs

Do you have a generic email addy ?

I would use first and middle name.

This is one of those things you unfortunately have to grin and bear if you’re hoping to be the beneficiary of a stranger’s generosity. As a black person I have dealt with versions of this all my life. People are imperfect and don’t always know they’re doing something abominable when they are doing it.