Nickname on a Resume

A nickname on a resume can either advance your job prospects or stop you from moving forward in the application process.

If you’re going to use yours, make sure you do it right. You don’t want employers to skip over your candidacy because your nickname gave them a poor first impression.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• How to professionally include your nickname on your resume

• When you should include your nickname on your resume

• Typical pitfalls of adding your nickname and how to avoid them

How to list a nickname on a resume

Make sure you know how to put a nickname on your resume. You should always try to accompany it with your full name for clarity and professionalism.

One way to list your nickname is to add it in single quotation marks between your first and last name. Another option is to list your nickname after your full name in parentheses.

What are some good reasons to use a nickname on a resume

Including your nickname in your resume header can help advance your career by building a personal brand around the name most people know you by. For example, if your name is Lucien, but everyone knows you as “Wolfie,” including your nickname will help interviewers remember your prior work or past meetings.

Many job-seekers include their nicknames to provide a version of their name easier for their potential employers to pronounce, which is especially common when applying for jobs after immigrating to a new country. For example, a person named Qiangsheng might choose to provide “Johnson” as an alternative.

People provide shortened versions of longer names to make their potential employers more likely to remember their names. For example, a job-seeker named Francesca might shorten her name to Fran or Chessie.

Some choose to use nicknames to avoid hiring bias, especially if they feel an ethnic or female name will negatively impact their job prospects. One way to avoid bias is by providing your initials instead of your first name. For example, you might write J.S. Smith instead of your full name.

Some who transition genders will include their birth name and their adopted name on their resume. Some companies require both names in some situations, and it’s a way to associate past work history with a candidate.

When you shouldn’t use nicknames

Use a professional nickname that is not too informal or, even worse, offensive. It’s great your friends call you “Barf Barf” in your living room, but you might want to leave that one off the resume.

It’s essential to remain consistent across professional channels when using your nickname or full name on a resume. If you use your nickname, use the same one on every resume, LinkedIn profile, etc., that you create.

Takeaways

Now that you know which name to use on your resume, head over to Enhancv’s resume builder to prepare for your next job interview.

Using a nickname in a resume is a great way to build your personal brand, provide a more manageable name for your employer to remember, and prevent hiring bias. Be sure to include only professional nicknames and stay consistent across your professional channels.