You’re the director of human resources at a Fortune 500 company, and you are hiring for a managerial level position in finance. You get a stack of resumes. Each of the women have similar academic credentials and experience.
Which of these candidates would you interview first?
“Kylee”
“Kayleigh”
“Christie”
“Brittany”
“Anne”
“Jennifer”
“Diane”
“Hillary”
|
||||
Which Of These Names Evokes Job Competence?23 comments to Which Of These Names Evokes Job Competence? |
|
|||
|
Copyright © 2012 Director HR Jobs - All Rights Reserved |
||||
Well … I’m not an HR director and I don’t work in finance. (Much of my career has been spent in academic research.) But I have hired many people, and it is common to find several with similar qualifications and backgrounds.
Fair or not, I’ve often made the final decisions about who to interview based on a gut feeling about the candidate’s likely fit in our workplace. I’m always looking for someone smart.
And Kylee, Kayleigh and Brittany don’t read smart to me. Christie doesn’t either, though I’d be neutral for Christine. While I don’t believe that I’ve tossed any one out for having a flimsy name, I also can say that I’ve never hired anyone with one of those names.
Anne, Jennifer, Diane and Hillary are neutral names to my eye, and would neither sway me in favor of hiring or not.
I will say this, though. In an academic setting – and I suspect in many workplaces – it’s not uncommon for us to be interested in creating a diverse team. So names that *do* jump out at me tend to be those that are subtly African-American, Latino or perhaps foreign.
So I’ve interviewed – and hired – an Ayana, as well as a Teresita, nicknamed Tia, Tamika nicknamed Tami (though she was an intern) and a Svetlana. It’s dangerous to make those kinds of assumptions – and indefensible if you’re sued, I think – but when I’m winnowing down 40 or 50 resumes to a handful to actually meet, it does factor in the thinking.
So to sum up – it isn’t necessary to name your kid Anne just to improve her chances of succeeding professionally, but it is wise to avoid names like Kylee and Kayleigh that don’t fit most people’s image of a competent adult professional.
Brittany”
Dalice Nelson is smoking again!
anne for sure
Diane or Hillary
This is a very thought-provoking question. And, yes…I do have a bias toward certain names and the connotation of competence that they evoke.
I would interview Anne, Diane and then Jennifer. The rest of them would be lucky to make it on the list. For some reason, I just couldn’t see reporting to say…a Director of Finance named Kylee.
Of course, this is all based upon their applications/resumes exhibiting similar qualities and job experience.
Good Question!
The Coach
Probably Diane or Hillary however being interviewed is still no guarantee that someone would get a job no matter what the name.
Jennifer has my vote.
This is because it has fun nickname possibilities for a younger person (Jen, Jenny, Jenna), but the ability to be transformed into a whole name that sounds elegant and professional.
Good luck!
1. Christie
2. Jennifer
3. Hillary
4. Anne
5. Diane
6. Kayleigh
7. Kylee
8. Brittany
Anne
In this order:
Jennifer
Anne
Diane
Christie
Hillary
Kayleigh
Kylee
Brittany
Unfortunately, our names are sometimes the first thing a person “sees” about us. The names at the bottom of the list all sound younger, which is why I would interview them last. They don’t sound as serious either. Although, the name Hillary has some negative connotations for me too, lol. A name is something a child will have forever and should be a gift, not a burden!
I assume you’re asking which sound the most professional.
Kylee
1) Anne
2)Diane
2)Hillary
4)Jennifer
5) Christie
6) Brittany
7) Kayleigh
Good question…but I would interview the person that had sent me her resume first!
Anne definately. It sounds more upperclass than the others but its also a sweet name.
Diane, Hillary or Anne definitely sound more “experienced.” I think a part of that though is that these names are considered older so when we hear them we think of “older, more experienced” people. However, if you were to name your child Kylee, in 25 years when that child enters the work force, that name is going to be much more popular and may in fact be the name that sounds more professional because it is more common.
My order is
Jennifer -young, professional, but still capable of being fun.
Diane -because this is older sounding
Hillary -around my age group (20′s), so possibly more motivated and willing to learn.
Anne- more universal. Not too sure about the age of Anne.
Christie -I kind of cringe at this one. I go by Kayt, but everything professional of mine says Katherine. Putting Christie on an application makes me think of a girl/teenager. I would much prefer to see Christine or Christina.
Brittany -ugh. So ditzy sounding.
Kayleigh -Equally ditzy and empty sounding.
Kylee -This is a ridiculous name. A given name shouldn’t sound like a six year old’s nickname.
This doesn’t guarentee that they would get the job in that order, of course, but it is an indication of how seriously I would take them.
First off, I would not hire someone in my Fortune 500 company based on their name. I would use every other assessment possible.
However, I will play the game.
I would go with Brittney because it just sounds professional.
Diane, Hilary, Anne, Christie, Jennifer, Brittany, Kayleigh, Kylee
I would say Anne or Hillary.
For the oddest reason, my eyes are drawn towards the name Brittany. So probably her.
In order from most to least:
Anne
Diane
Jennifer
Hillary
Christie
Kayleigh
Kylee
Brittany
Unless the job is strippers. Then reverse the list.
Anne.
Certainly not Kayleigh or Kylee.
That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet…
Diane