Asian Last Name = Fewer Job Interviews
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But if your name is like Tong Chen or Lin Wang -- chances are you are not second or third generation
If you are the HR person and you have to 5 seconds to choose only one between two comparably qualified resume from Tong Chen or Jane Smith for job that requires English fluency --- even though you are well versed with EEO law and want to follow it -- who do you think would you call for interview if you can only call one ?
It actually works both way -- a Chinese / Indian manager in a large US corporation would have preference to hire their own race (whether intentionally or not) -- that is just the way we are wired. Look up org chart of any large organization -- For the same department, say the manager is Indian, there is a big chance that he/she will more Indians under her staff than say another manager that is Caucasian.
At Forever 21? haha
But after Juanita gets hired to fulfill the hiring quota, hr (or more than likely an outside agency) is going to look at the name who they think will most likely fill the empty space.
socal78
Well-known member
"Well, you see an Asian name and you know that language problems are going to be there."
That's one of the biggest reasons, imo.
At my work, they tend to only hire native English speakers in roles interacting with our demanding clients. I have to not only speak perfect, "accent-free" English but understand all current & outdated idioms / cultural references. Good luck to a person who wasn't born here. Our clients really lose their shit if they have to repeat / explain themselves. We all like feeling understood, though, especially when dealing with stressful and important matters.
I'm no expert on having an asian last name but my advice for asian applicants is to carefully choose items to play-up in your "Qualifications" if English is a strong point for you... as long as you can live up to it in an interview. Maybe even create some experiences or hobbies that demonstrate great English skills. Or get in by knowing someone. Good worth of mouth always helps.
That's one of the biggest reasons, imo.
At my work, they tend to only hire native English speakers in roles interacting with our demanding clients. I have to not only speak perfect, "accent-free" English but understand all current & outdated idioms / cultural references. Good luck to a person who wasn't born here. Our clients really lose their shit if they have to repeat / explain themselves. We all like feeling understood, though, especially when dealing with stressful and important matters.
I'm no expert on having an asian last name but my advice for asian applicants is to carefully choose items to play-up in your "Qualifications" if English is a strong point for you... as long as you can live up to it in an interview. Maybe even create some experiences or hobbies that demonstrate great English skills. Or get in by knowing someone. Good worth of mouth always helps.
socal78
Well-known member
Btw, kind of funny: I have a "General American accent", also known as the "T.V. accent", with a little midwestern mixed in which I really try to bury (ruff / roof, hunnerd/ hundred, random L's: bolth/ both, remolt / remote, tumorrul/ tomorrow ... ). My 2 managers both have strong southern accents -- very hard for me to understand and it's very weird that they BOTH do -- not that common here. Our clients have the "rich N.Y. Jew" accent. It gets pretty funny & confusing in the office sometimes and that's with only native English speakers involved. We often have to repeat ourselves.
Sometimes I imitate the N.Y. Jew accent with our clients to play along with them just to kinda lighten the mood. They think it's the funniest thing. First time ever, boy, I thought my head was going to roll with these grouchy babies. What a relief they liked it & laugh.
Sometimes I imitate the N.Y. Jew accent with our clients to play along with them just to kinda lighten the mood. They think it's the funniest thing. First time ever, boy, I thought my head was going to roll with these grouchy babies. What a relief they liked it & laugh.
Yeah, except it is false to assume that Asian last name equals non native English speaker. ESPECIALLY in Southern California there is a sizeable population of Asian Americans whose families have been in the US for generations and are native speakers of English. As an example, Chinese have been in California since the mid to late 1800s . I've got relatives who served in the US army in WW2 and are buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
I speak completely accent free "news broadcaster" English and there's plenty of people like me in Irvine.
I speak completely accent free "news broadcaster" English and there's plenty of people like me in Irvine.
Yeah, except it is false to assume that Asian last name equals non native English speaker. ESPECIALLY in Southern California there is a sizeable population of Asian Americans whose families have been in the US for generations and are native speakers of English. As an example, Chinese have been in California since the mid to late 1800s . I've got relatives who served in the US army in WW2 and are buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
I speak completely accent free "news broadcaster" English and there's plenty of people like me in Irvine.
I speak completely accent free "news broadcaster" English and there's plenty of people like me in Irvine.
Loco_local
Active member
I know someone who knows someone who knows someone who works in one of the accounting departments of an LA based fortune 500 company. She says her department of 30 is 85% Asian
Loco_local
Active member
A person with an Asian sounding name is probably going to get more interviews in a technical field than a John or a Juan Smith or Sanchez
nyc to oc said:
But if your name is like Tong Chen or Lin Wang -- chances are you are not second or third generation
If you are the HR person and you have to 5 seconds to choose only one between two comparably qualified resume from Tong Chen or Jane Smith for job that requires English fluency --- even though you are well versed with EEO law and want to follow it -- who do you think would you call for interview if you can only call one ?
Loco_local said:
It actually works both way -- a Chinese / Indian manager in a large US corporation would have preference to hire their own race (whether intentionally or not) -- that is just the way we are wired. Look up org chart of any large organization -- For the same department, say the manager is Indian, there is a big chance that he/she will more Indians under her staff than say another manager that is Caucasian.
usctrojancpa
Well-known member
Loco_local said:
At Forever 21? haha
Loco_local
Active member
A job is a job
Loco_local
Active member
peppy said:
But after Juanita gets hired to fulfill the hiring quota, hr (or more than likely an outside agency) is going to look at the name who they think will most likely fill the empty space.