Would it be ok to use my husband’s last name on my resume even if I haven’t legally adopted it?

I know I had to show ID (passport with name) when I started my current job… I can’t remember previous jobs 😅 I also had to give my boss a copy of my marriage certificate when I changed it. Even though he was at my wedding 😂.

They'd eventually find out your legal last name, likely before fully hiring anyways. Most jobs to background checks, and as part of onboarding you'd possibly have to set up direct deposits and even if you didnt and they did hand you checks that way, your name wouldn't be your own and you wouldn't be able to cash them. If it was me, I'd just use whatever your legal name is.

Yeah, legal name only. For the purpose of applying for jobs, undergoing checks and their records for pay. Technically it’s a lie on page 1 of your resume.

It’s unlikely they would discriminate against your last name if your CV has what they are looking for. I come from experience and employing many member of staff throughout my career. I never looked at the last name and have employed vast majority of ethnicities. I hope this might put your mind at rest.

@Siobhan The last part cracked me up, but It is probably for legal purposes. I know they will eventually find out my full legal name, but I was thinking more for the initial process, to get an interview and what not.

@Keni Yes I am aware of that. It was my husband who suggested it but It’s not something I’m comfortable with unless I go and legally change my last name. However, I have thought about putting my first name as an initial and using my last name.

@Kathryn Would it be strange if you came across a resume with an initial for a first name and a full last name? Can that be disqualifying?

My grandma used to put her first and middle initials (JC) with her last name on everything due to discrimination so i don’t see a problem with using initials

Well I’m British and from the UK here it would make a difference as we use bank details and things to setup payroll and HMRC etc. if you’re in America it’ll be different so it all depends on that really. I have also had women employed who have used both maiden name and married name through transitioning as they had recently got married for example and still hadn’t changed over passports etc. it might well be worth considering when you have an interview explaining you’re married but haven’t changed over all your names yet??? I’m assuming you’ll be changing over names soon anyway?

@Kathryn I don’t plan on using my husband’s last name, just mine. But I was asking if putting my own first name as an initial would be okay, just for the initial application process.

Oh yes that’s fine then if it’s just your first name that doesn’t make a difference. You could even shorten if and use a short name …. For example I could use Kate, a shortened version in my name or yes just use your initials

I personally wouldn't. This would be a red flag for me when I realised the person's real name but probably because I work in safeguarding so we are always extra vigilant. But I do understand your reasons for wanting to do so.

I work in HR (U.K.) and know that people do it here all the time. There’s a significant bank of evidence and studies to suggest name (incl surname) bias. It’s horrid but it’s a very real problem. People also drop parts of their first names to appear more western or to make it easier for people to pronounce.

Do whatever you need to do to get that interview, once they need to do the background check and all that then you can give your full name. Be careful to alert your references though, if they contact them asking about a different name there could be confusion. Discrimination based on names is constant and frequent, sorry if anyone in these comments is invalidating that.

I think it depends on the kind of company you’re applying to. I work in a start up and I don’t think it would bother us, for example my work name is my married name now but only part of it and I just put my full name on invoices. We also work with a Greek guy and he just goes by part of his first name. But we’ve never been bias and hire people from all over the world

@Om this entirely depends on whether the bias is unconscious or not. An unconscious bias means someone could still reject someone else because of a pre conceived notion, but then change their mind when they actually meet the person. This is just one example however.

@Om Good for you that your South African name has never been an issue for you to land interviews 🙂 That is however not the case for everyone. Also, People who review resumes are typically part of recruitment or HR departments and in many instances, especially in big companies, they are not the ones who conduct interviews. Being able to reach the level of getting an interview as opposed to being swiftly counted out based on your name, gives you a higher chance of being selected because then you’re able to directly interact with them and they can better evaluate you personally. That initial bias robs you of the opportunity to further showcase yourself.

I would use my own name only because I don’t wish to work in a company that won’t hire me based on my name. I don’t see a problem using your husband’s name if you feel it necessary

@Zainab🗝️ if it’s a larger company or organization you may never see or work with that person who initially called you for the interview again. Sometimes it’s one person deleting your application and not a whole company level bias against you.

@Dana 🦅♥️🤍💙 in my old job I worked for a large company but I still worked with the person who got my resume. I could definitely see it just being one person throwing out the resume that you’d never see again. Sometimes it’s not though. You might also use a different name, get a call and be seen in person, waste your time when they see you’re not as expected. I know a lot of people who come from countries where you put your picture on your resume.

@Zainab🗝️ The way I see it being multiracial, someone always hates me so if I didn’t go places or get jobs thinking “someone might hate me or be prejudiced towards me” I wouldn’t do anything. I need money and healthcare, dealing with horrible people is just a part of life.

@Dana 🦅♥️🤍💙 totally get that. I worked with some really shitty people at the same company I worked at for ten years. I had a manager who came in after I did who hired women he was sleeping with, turned out he was a white supremacist and was using cocaine at work. He bullied me a lot. I stayed 7 years longer still. I always expect a certain level of discrimination in almost everything I do. I just have some rules for myself about what I will or won’t do to get places.

@Zainab🗝️ that’s CRAZY but at the same time not surprising. I feel like it’s more common than people want to think. I love that idea of rules/boundaries for yourself, you have to set a line.

@Om So you’re saying to ignore all external factors and simply rely on fate? I’m sorry but your reasoning doesn’t make sense to me. You’re being dismissive of very real and valid issues.

I can’t see who Om is lol

I’m British but my maiden name was Hungarian, never had any issues with getting a job.

@Zainab🗝️ be glad. 🫣😂

@Dana 🦅♥️🤍💙 there is a good chance I called them out before 😂

Absolutely. I work in recruitment and many people use their preferred names in their CV nicknames in most cases: Alex/ Alexander, pe. Once you are hired they’ll ask you your details, and you’ll need to provide your legal name but totally ok for the CV. Not sure where are you based but where I work our system doesn’t show the names, to avoid unconscious bias

@Om ma’am that someone you’re referring to is my husband. Since when is taking your spouse’s last name considered lacking confidence and not being proud of one’s identity? 😬 I don’t understand why you’re so worked up, and calling me insecure when you don’t even know me 😂

@Om I don’t owe you any favors and it’s good you unfollowed. Good day 🚪👋😂

@Om 😂😂

I feel left out

@Zainab🗝️ check your messages. 😏

If it’s not legally your name or on any documents I would say don’t use it .