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English surname for job application

littlekyle

Star Member
Jun 28, 2011
51
2
Category........
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
LANDED..........
May-2012
Hi,

I've heard from many people and forum that regarding job application, someone having English surname will have more chance to receive a call for interview from the employee than non-English surname people in Canada. I also think that it's true due to cultural issue.

If so, do we need to change our surnames to Tom, Dave, Mary, Jane, ... for easier life there?

Can we change surname after getting visa?

If yes, do we do that on the declaration at the first landing?

Are there any problems afterward?

Is it better to change surname of kids and not of parent?

Seniors and experts, your advices are highly appreciated.

Thanks.
 

explorer101

Champion Member
Jan 30, 2010
1,843
338
CANADA
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
littlekyle said:
Hi,
I've heard from many people and forum that regarding job application, someone having English surname will have more chance to receive a call for interview from the employee than non-English surname people in Canada. I also think that it's true due to cultural issue.
If so, do we need to change our surnames to Tom, Dave, Mary, Jane, ... for easier life there?
Can we change surname after getting visa?
If yes, do we do that on the declaration at the first landing?
Are there any problems afterward?
Is it better to change surname of kids and not of parent?
Seniors and experts, your advices are highly appreciated.
Thanks.
I have also heard it and have seen also some people have changed their names to english names. It is not guranteed that after changing the name one gets job or life becomes easier. I have not seen that people with asian names do not get hired. In fact if someone;s name is tongue twisting he/ she can have a given name and use that name in the office, the actual name remains the same. So a guy who says that he is Tom is not Tom on documents, he is #$%&*(.
 

littlekyle

Star Member
Jun 28, 2011
51
2
Category........
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
LANDED..........
May-2012
Thanks explorer101.

Any advices for my other questions above?

Tks.
 

cocknbull

Champion Member
Jan 20, 2012
1,940
312
Category........
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
littlekyle said:
Hi,

I've heard from many people and forum that regarding job application, someone having English surname will have more chance to receive a call for interview from the employee than non-English surname people in Canada. I also think that it's true due to cultural issue.

If so, do we need to change our surnames to Tom, Dave, Mary, Jane, ... for easier life there?

Can we change surname after getting visa?

If yes, do we do that on the declaration at the first landing?

Are there any problems afterward?

Is it better to change surname of kids and not of parent?

Seniors and experts, your advices are highly appreciated.

Thanks.
Just an interview call or more? If you get a call with name Tom and go there with your Asian face and accent what do you think will happen? Same as with your Asian name. So my advise don't change name.

Thanks
 

littlekyle

Star Member
Jun 28, 2011
51
2
Category........
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
LANDED..........
May-2012
Thanks for your all advices.

@cocknbull, you're right. Be ourself is easier without any confusion.
 

Pippin

VIP Member
Mar 22, 2010
4,254
531
A SURNAME is your LAST name, as in Mr. SMITH. Your first name, or Christian name, would be Tom....Mr. Tom SMITH.
We grow up with our names and get attached to them. I am Canadian, but my name is uncommon in Canada. I've "heard" how people try to pronounce it with awkwardness, but I have never thought of changing it. My neighbours, a lovely family from Asia, recently told us that they had changed their Asian names for similar sounding North American names like Jane and Doug. We were getting used to pronouncing their unusual-to-us names, but it was still tricky to say the husband's name and I must say it is almost a relief to be able to use their new Canadian names. I think the type of job and the ability of the applicant to meet the qualifications has a lot to do with it. Cracking that ceiling and getting a response to your application is critical before you can get a job offer. Perhaps presenting your application in person whenever possible will give HR the opportunity to see how you would fit their organization. Good luck with your decision AND getting the job you want!
 

littlekyle

Star Member
Jun 28, 2011
51
2
Category........
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
LANDED..........
May-2012
Thanks a ton, Pippin. You confirmed my though. We are preparing for the landing to Canada in a couple of months and having many many things to do and to think for new life there. Advices from forum expert members and Canadians are very precious for to-be new comers.
 

an124

Star Member
Aug 11, 2011
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Hey guys!
It's a very nice topic which also interests me a lot.

I am willing to change my name and surname, not completely changing, but just slightly modifying them. In my native language (i'm form north of eastern europe), there are extra letters at the end of the name of our names and surnames, which indicates the gender of a name holder. It's like Mr or Ms, but it's connected to our names. Naturally, me and my wife (as well as my daughter) have 'different' surnames.

I have tried to access the information about changing the name after landing and i came up with the fact, that we will be able to change the names only after 1 year of residency in Ontario. I would go through this process earlyer, because i don't need anything extra in my surname which is left from my original language, but i guess i'll have to wait that one year.

Regarding the name in resume for job offer, i think it's a good idea to write the name which you are going to have in the future. I think i'll go with that. Furthermore i will be able to explain that i'm not changing the sence of anything, it's just that my factual name is slightly different in my temporary papers.

What do you think about that?

Anton