| If you've got a nickname that you use more often than | | | | your profession and begin building a brand, you want |
| your legal name, you may wonder whether it's | | | | your name to follow you and eventually precede you |
| advisable to use that nickname when preparing | | | | (along with your stellar professional reputation). |
| documents for a job search. There are no current | | | | This means if you choose to go with a nickname that |
| guidelines available to decipher what name you should | | | | sounds nothing like your legal name (i.e. if you go by |
| use, but there are tips out there that can steer you in | | | | your middle name), it's good to stick with it so people |
| the right direction. So if you've been confused by | | | | will always know they're talking about the same |
| what's appropriate when choosing the name to use, it's | | | | person. The same rules apply for email address, |
| good to consider the following... | | | | voicemail messages, file names and social media |
| You Don't Have to List Your Legal Name | | | | profiles. |
| Most people think that they have to list their legal name | | | | Feel Comfortable with Your Decision |
| when creating their resume and cover letter, or | | | | The name that you choose to use during your job |
| sending in a job application. This is not true. Whatever | | | | search and beyond should be one that you feel |
| name you want to be known by, you can use. For | | | | comfortable with. You certainly don't want to pick a |
| examples, say you've got a name that's difficult to | | | | name that you don't use, as it might lead to an |
| pronounce; you might shorten it, or spell it more | | | | embarrassing situation when someone calls you by it. If |
| phonetically to make pronunciation easy. | | | | your name is Elizabeth but since birth you've been |
| For example, if your name is Theophilus, there's nothing | | | | called Lizzy, by all means you can use it. Use a form |
| wrong with using the nickname Theo for your first | | | | like Elizabeth (Lizzy) Brown to include both names. The |
| name. And if you have a unique last name that may | | | | only thing that experts suggest is that you don't |
| be challenging for some to pronounce, like Nguyen, you | | | | completely change your name for your job search. |
| might add the phonetic spelling (nuhWEN) so that the | | | | You need to be traceable for background checks, so |
| person contacting you won't be more concerned with | | | | if you've suddenly changed your entire name (legally), |
| how to pronounce your name than offering you an | | | | it's good to note your previous name as you make the |
| interview. | | | | transition. |
| Be Consistent with Your Name Choice | | | | It's good to know that you can use more than your |
| Whatever name you decide to go with, it's important | | | | legal name while in pursuit of a job, as well as in your |
| that you use it consistently throughout your career | | | | career. If you choose a professional, consistent name, |
| (unless you get married or choose the legally change | | | | you won't have any problems at all. |
| your entire name). As you begin to elevate throughout | | | | |