I’m thinking about going by a more American name through the hiring process, any thoughts on this?

I’m Indian American, born in India, but I’ve been here since I was a baby. Part of me feels like that’s turning my back on my culture, but study after study shows how much harder it is to get a foot in the door. For example, everyone assumes I need sponsorship until I start talking and they realize I’m American.

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I’m not against you going by an American name, I just don’t know what implications that would have. But I do think you should just make it clear on your resume/application that you don’t need sponsorship.
Also, nothing about this means that you are turning your back on Indian culture - you are just navigating a difficult situation the best you can

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OP just do it!
Use every lever you have at your disposal to build the career you want. If it's getting a more anglicized name do it. It doesn't matter what a bunch of strangers think.

Mindy Kaling's brother did a study on this and found it to be true.

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‘Standing up for your culture’ is about as bad a reason as I can think of. The name on my resume does not help change anyone’s perception of my culture. Standing up for your culture happens in conversations with coworkers, interactions with clients, etc.

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Don't Anglo your name. If they don't want you at your Rajeshpuramsighalingam they don't deserve you at your Ray.

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Whatever happened to poor Bobby.

Why not, Dick!!

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D2 C1 —- ROFL!! 😂

Did Sundar Pichai change his name?

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Yeah I hear ya, but that’s their ignorance. Honestly, if you can’t respect using your own name what’s left.

I know that’s not everyone’s view, but that’s why I still use my actual name.

If it’s the sponsorship issue just spell it out on your resume.

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Don’t Anglo your name.

It is who you are. Why would you change it for someone else. I find what East Asians do is foolish and not only erases their identity, but willingly admits that their own names are lesser, and they must adopt “white” names to appease those around them.

Our generation will go through difficulties because of this, but we are planting the seeds for our children and further.

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Go for it bro - John Smith 😎

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Recruiters can see on your resume if you did Masters from US only or both undergrad and do the sponsorship calculation in their mind 😂

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Key there is to have a masters. 😂
I’ll take one commenters’ suggestion and put U.S Citizen on my resume.

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Just put US citizen on your resume and you should be fine if that’s your only reason for changing your name

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Most companies have a question in their job portal: if you will need sponsorship in the future. OP, why are you struggling to find a job because of your name ?

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Studies/anecdotal research have shown that name does make an impact. This has been done with names that sound ‘black’, Asian, Indian, etc. Pretty much anything other than white. I think the most recent high profile one is the one by Mindy Kaling’s brother (mentioned in another comment).

This same impact is seen for college admissions if you want an adjacent, well documented example.

I am sure within few years a surge of Indian-american population enter into market (as so many migrants moved to US late 90’s and early 2000 and their kids are in schools/colleges now), and it becomes less and less normal to assume people with indian name need visa. Just for this, I would not change my name for lifetime...

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It's your name, choose what you like

Why don’t you first try it with a shorter form of your name or something? Do an A/B test with a control group of recruiters and then decide on the formal change.

Is this a humble brag?
I mean, you do you; people will judge you no matter what

How is any part of my question a brag?

Ramesh Jones would be good..

Do what it needs to get foot in the door.

Why can’t you mention that you are US citizen on your resumé? Adopt an American name if you like it but don’t just do it for sponsorship related issues. I wouldn’t want to compromise identity my parents gave me for something that can be resolved in other ways.

I think you should Anglo your name for a bit and apply. See the effects of it. If it results in better job interviews, then at the interview you can clarify.

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