I often work with new clients and extended colleague networks. Most of the time, they struggle to pronounce my name properly even if they have asked me how to or if I have politely corrected them before. I'm considering putting a pronunciation guide in my email signature to help address the issue. Has anyone seen this done before? Does it come across as helpful or weird?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Siobhan (shi-VON)

likehelpful

Do it! I’ve seen this before and I think it’s helpful. I have what I thought was an easy to pronounce name but it’s not common outside of the US. I’ve given the phonetic pronunciation before.

likehelpful

I’ve seen it in some people’s signature at Deloitte. I think it’s helpful. People mispronounce my name all the time but that’s been the case since I moved to the US 6 years ago and I don’t really care enough. M but I could see that being helpful especially for names that some people might have no clue how to pronounce. Makes it less awkward for everyone.

like

Thanks for the replies! I think I'm going to add this.

Just as commentary: I actually did go by a shortened version of my name early in my career but stopped doing that out of principle. I don't particularly care for that name and my name isn't difficult to pronounce for the majority of the world. (I have no issue when dealing with foreign clients or individuals from Latinx backgrounds) so I kind of figured why should I have to change my name just to accommodate people who won't take 3 minutes to learn how to pronounce it?

like

I like this sentiment OP. Your name is your name, and you have every right to be proud of it. Don’t shorten it for the benefit of others. I love the idea of adding a pronunciation in your signature.

like

I think it’s super helpful to have in your email signature! I’ve seen it multiple times at EY, and honestly it’s been a help to me more than once when meeting with new project team members.

like

100% helpful, no judgment at all.

like

Super helpful! I personally feel horrible if I mispronounce someone’s first name, so I’d be grateful to see this. Also it shows personal pride in your heritage. So many people change their names to be easier for others to pronounce that they lose their identities. (My Family name was shortened by first gen American bc it was hard to pronounce.)

Curious, what is your formula to successfully balancing the scope of SVP oversight yet maintaining the capacity for attention to detail? I suppose the drill downs are a result of prioritizing the concerns that matter.

People struggle to pronounce my name in my office. I’m considering taking a page out of the book of some of my Chinese colleagues and just picking a random English word that is easy to pronounce... like Fox

why not just change your name to Jo?

Change/shorten your name to something everyone can pronounce. The cumulative amount of time that you’ll save correcting/reminding, plus eliminating the awkwardness, is invaluable.

@SM1: Great idea! Or just call everyone “hey, you!” if you can’t say their name. Soooo much easier for all concerned. 🤦🏻‍♀️

likefunny

Linkedin has a new audio feature.

I would add it to your website? maybe? get a nickname..

or laugh it off! nothing like having a good joke with a client. it shows you’re easy to work with.

It’s perfectly acceptable and very helpful to include a pronunciation guide! Strongly disagree with the idea that you should choose a shorter/more easily pronounceable name for this purpose -

I think that proving some help in pronouncing you name would be helpful and completely acceptable. Everyone mispronounce my last name. Since my last name is Slavic and difficult, I always go out of my way to make people comfortable once the mispronunciation happens. I never ever get offended by the mispronunciation and it makes a good ice breaker, and, we get some some good laughs from it.

Please do this. I would really appreciate it

Related Posts

Suppose you are 3 months pregnant and interviewing for a job. Would you disclose to the recruiter that you are expecting or is there no need to give that information until after being hired? As for the compensation, if you’ve already been told pre-interview, the salary range for the role, is it appropriate to negotiate a number for the salary if you are asked your desired salary in the first screening interview? Or should you try to hold off on the negotiation after you receive an offer?

like

A reminder to my fellow creatives - be strong and courageous.

likeuplifting

Have an interview for SPRO Investigator French. Please help me with the rounds of interview and what is the expected salary?

like

MBA1s: Tell the recruiting market is bad without telling the recruiting market is bad.

Now go!

like

Hi Fishes... I have cleared interview with Wipro and while uploading the documents i uploade document but they mentioned LOA & education certificate are incorrect so i re-uploaded them but again they mentioned LOA is incorrect.. so i connected with the person who sent me the link to upload the doc but no help from her.. i tried to open the link today (17th March) evening but the link was not opening... what will be the next step.. how can i upload it again.. Need your valuable advice.. TIA

Which companies are providing permanent wfh in india?I heard about these-
1. Nagarro
2. Publicis Sapient
3. Epam anywhere
4. Cimpres
5. VMware
6. Swiggy
7. Meesho
8. Browserstack
9. Disney+ hotstar

like

Please feel free to distribute among your colleagues

Post Photo

Any one recently received offer letter from Deloitte USI please respond I received the letter of intent with CTC break up 10 days back and still waiting for final offer letter How long did it take for you guys to receive the final offer letter? Deloitte USI

like

Hello Fishes, I am a Servicenow developer with 3+ years of experience.
Currently having offer from wipro of 13.5 Lpa is it worth joining ?

How is career growth, job security and work/life balance in wipro?

Thanks

like

Is the RPA market still hot? Do we have nice opportunities?

I have 7.5 lpa from Amdocs and 6.75lpa from Mindtree. I want to renegotiate with Mindtree based on Amdocs. How much should i ask from Mindtree??

like

What is notice period on provision for band 7H??
And how much is provision period is it 3 month? Or 6 month?

like

Hmm.. EY is leading in something at least

Post Photo
like

Hii All,

I need referrals for Email marketing or PHP WordPress developer Role. Having experience of 4.5 Years.

Thanks in advance 😊

like

I’m having trouble staying on top of things that I know are important. I just don’t care most of them time and the. Maybe once a month I get all concerned and make a list then I only do a couple things on it until going into the funk again.

like

Are Principal Product Managers individual contributors or are they management? If management, are they the same as group product managers?

like

Someone who have joined Oracle financial services OFSS recently or having offer in hand please DM me!!
having few doubts regarding process..

Thanks in advance.

like
likehelpful

Hi fish - looking for career advice
A CBT practitioner/ Psychiatric registered nurse. Now sitting in Compensation and Rewards in financial sector. In what aspect ( within HR ) the best to focus/ more advantage to develop? Thanks!

like

Additional Posts in The Work-Life Bowl

First time consultant what is a good home office budget? I really want a standing desk for my sanity but at what point is it unreasonable?

like

Is there any truth to the claim linking the Pfizer vaccine to infertility? My dad keeps sending me articles spouting these crazy conspiracy theories. They’re usually easy to disprove but for some reason this one has me worried.

like

What’s everyone drinking right now?

like

0 passion for my job and have lost all my drive to work. I just want to do something interesting, work out and do fun things. Anyone else have this dilemma 🙃

like

Has anyone braved the gym since it reopened out here in SoCal? What are your experiences so far? Currently have LA Fitness since I don’t need much from my gym. But open to upgrade to Equinox if it’s safer/more sanitary.

like

Anyone have an SO who is a healthcare worker? The two places where my bf works as an OT is having a Covid outbreak (despite all being vaccinated/boosted) and I can’t decide if I should hold off on hanging out with him. Same exact scenario as last year - last January he contracted Covid in between vaccinations and thankfully I made the decision not to spend time with him during the last outbreak as a precaution. Sucks. Can’t decide what to do. Already dealt w/ 2 quarantines b/c of his kid

like

Now the CDC says teachers don’t need vaccine shots to reopen schools?

like

Anyone who had COVID experiencing chronic fatigue and shortness of breath weeks and months after?

like

For rock climbers: how long did it take you to break into the climbing community at your local gym? Trying to get more involved but not sure what to expect as a beginner

like

Non-slutty halloween costume ideas for female, pls?

like

Lately I’ve been feeling like all my friends and family around me have such great careers and are very successful and I’m behind. I would like some help trying to figure out what my next career move should be. I know I’m capable, I just don’t know what I should be looking for in my next opportunity, or what (strategically) I need to do to work my way up the ladder. Any resources or suggestions of who I could hire to help me figure things out?

likesmart

My home office had a makeover and I upgraded to a standing desk! I now have a box of books and college textbooks ready to donate. Is there anywhere I could take them to donate considering... South Fl

like

How long was it till your puppy was fully potty trained? Have been on a good track but still accidents here and there

likehelpful

Hi all, Spotify podcast tips for a long distance business flight? Should be educating, entertaining, and easy to listen to. TIA!

like

How often do you read the news and which sources do you use? 🌍

like

Anyone worried about not being able to see boyfriend / girlfriend if we are put under lockdown and you don’t live together? Can they restrict people from going to each others houses?

likefunny

Have you ever worked in a toxic environment? What did that look like for you, and how long did you/ have you stayed?

like

How is mindtree for lateral entry with 9 years experience interms if work life balance and yearly hikes

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal