Sticks and stones … but names CAN hurt you: Names, Resumes, and Racism
An interesting study published a couple of years ago regarding companies’ follow-up to a resume showed the effects of having a white sounding name compared to having an African-American sounding name. Even more troubling in that study was the finding that better job qualifications improved whites chances of being contacted by the company, but had much less effect for African-Americans.
Now that study has been replicated on a much smaller scale by ABC’s 20/20 program. Using 22 pairs names of potential job applicants, differing only in terms of the ethnic sound of their names, 20/20 reports that recruiters were 17% more likely to download resumes with white-sounding names.
Is discrimination that subtle? The 20/20 report raises concerns regarding what parents name their children.
From a company’s persepctive, it may be helpful (if an automated applicant tracking system is used) to keep applicant names out of view until final decisions are to be made. Otherwise, racism might creep into the decision.
Your thoughts?
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I wonder about “childish” and “girlie” names. How would Jimmy Carter or (Billy Carter) fare compared to James Carter (or William)? Tiffany or Brittany or Susie vs. Susan or Mary, etc? How about gender-neutral names (e.g., Chris, Taylor) — do they evade gender discrimination?
Keeping names out of initial screening is a good idea.