Call for removal of names from resumes

SBS World News Radio: Calls for the removal of names from resumes to avoid unintended discrimination against non-Anglo applicants.

Adil Aslam.

Adil Aslam. Source: SBS

Armed with a placard presenting his impressive resume, Commerce graduate Adil Aslam wanders the busy pavements of Melbourne's financial precinct.

Strangers approach the 22-year old offering support and would-be employers take his details.

"I feel quite nervous, I'll be honest - just standing here just smiling all the time waving this around obviously I'd rather not be doing it but here I am because I am serious about getting a position I really like.

But to date his efforts have gone unrewarded.

The 22-year old complements his street-based marketing with extensive email and Linked-In approaches to various companies.

"Whatever it takes I'm prepared to do and I'm not entitled to anything just because I have a degree and it's about me trying hard it's about me staying focused and me staying motivated and using my skills to get there."

Although Adil says he hasn't experienced direct racism during his 3 years in Australia, he says he can't be certain whether his Sri Lankan name influences recruiters.

"Even though they're not racist people per se - just in case they have a different perception with Adil being the name versus John being the name."

He says some job-seeking friends have experienced success by "Anglicising" their names, but the proud Sri Lankan says it's not something he would consider.

"I wouldn't want to work for a company where this exists which is why I haven't changed my name. So it doesn't make me feel any different so if some people do feel that way they feel that way I feel that I can't change them personally."

Monash University management and human resources expert Peter Holland examined Adil's resume, and predicts that he will secure employment within 6-months of leaving University.

He says racial profiling of resumes is illegal, but virtually impossible to prove - however various studies around the world suggest it still takes place.

Associate Professor Holland says it's not only the applicants who suffer.

"Names shouldn't come into it - it should be looking at the quality of the person via the resumes and the companies are actually doing themselves a dis-service if they do these kind of things as they may be missing out on the best person for the job.

He also believes it's time names were removed from resumes.

"Name-blind I think is something the Government should consider or companies could consider as a way of effectively mininimising the potential to discriminate against people."

Either way Adil Aslam will continue his online and on-street efforts to achieve his employment goal.

" Ten years from now I have the experience people come to me asking for help and I will be able to consult with them - advise them this is what you do that's the dream we'll see how it goes."

 

 

 


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3 min read
Published 28 February 2017 7:00pm
Updated 28 February 2017 7:07pm
By Kirsty Johansen

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