< Previous topic | Next topic >

All Boards > 9 to 5

Sort:
11-06-2009 at 5:55 PM
TX-Bride
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-10-2006
Austin, Tx
1,418 Posts
28,709 Points
TX-Bride is not online. Last active: 11-21-2009, 7:44 PMBronze

US Citizen w/ foreign last names?

I have a very uncommon first and last name that screams foreigner and have a degree from a non-us university, would it be appropriate to mention in my cover letter that I am a us citizen or should I skip that. (it's a requirement in the job posting)
 
Report
Reply Quote
11-06-2009 at 6:26 PM
gt
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-28-2003
332 Posts
7,217 Points
gt is not online. Last active: 11-20-2009, 11:45 PMNewbie
If it's a requirement by all means include it, just like if a job requirement was to be able to speak French or use excel
 
Report
Reply Quote
11-06-2009 at 7:55 PM
HistoryGee...
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-15-2008
Atlanta, GA
610 Posts
11,473 Points
HistoryGeek is not online. Last active: 11-19-2009, 8:07 PMBronze

Since your degree is from a non-US school, I would list it as a bullet point or something like that with other qualifications.

If it was just your name, I wouldn't worry about it.  Many, many Americans have foreign last names.  I don't even know what an "American" last name would be much beyond Smith? Johnson?
The most amazing word in science isn't EUREKA! It's - Hmmm .. That's interesting 
Report
Reply Quote
11-06-2009 at 11:53 PM
uk2usa
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-28-2008
San Francisco
150 Posts
2,836 Points
uk2usa is not online. Last active: 11-21-2009, 2:46 PMNewbie
I was advised by a careers counselor to put "US Permanent Resident" on my CV under my name/contact info, as it's really important to show that you can legally work in the US, otherwise companies may not even bother to contact you even though you are qualified for the position. You could add "US Citizen", so there would be no doubt about your legal status for working.
 
Report
Reply Quote
11-07-2009 at 10:27 AM
SEMelius50...
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-07-2008
Madison, WI
244 Posts
4,454 Points
SEMelius5073 is not online. Last active: 11-21-2009, 9:35 PMNewbie

I don't think I would put "US Citizen" on my cover letter, unless you spin it like "one of 5 US Citizens studying at U of So and So" to make it look like you're comfortable outside of your element.

 




 
Report
Reply Quote
11-07-2009 at 11:17 AM
LittleMiss...
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-11-2006
California
4,069 Posts
83,608 Points
LittleMissWifey is not online. Last active: 11-21-2009, 8:38 PMSilver
What exactly is a foreign sounding last name?
Buying A Home
My painfully neglected food blog. 
Report
Reply Quote
11-08-2009 at 7:46 AM
Aliki
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-15-2003
New Jersey
4,177 Posts
69,631 Points
Aliki is not online. Last active: 11-20-2009, 3:43 PMSilver

If it's a job requirement in the job posting, I'd mention that I met all the job requirements but not specifically that I was a US citizen. I'm sure it'd come up at interviews if you get called.

Also what is a "foreign last name" sound like? Isn't America made up of a multitude of last names????


TTC since 2007. Dx: Unexplained infertility. 4 IUIs in 2008 = BFN.
IVF #1 07/2009. Beta #1 (9dp5dt) 7/27 = 190. Released to OB at 8 weeks.
Pregnancy Ticker
Report
Reply Quote
11-08-2009 at 11:32 AM
LittleMiss...
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-11-2006
California
4,069 Posts
83,608 Points
LittleMissWifey is not online. Last active: 11-21-2009, 8:38 PMSilver
Not to belabor the point...but the fact that someone in America could be stigmatized for a "foreign last name" is fairly troublesome. Unless your last name is Sitting Bull or some such similar name, don't most people have a last name here that could be reasonably argued as foreign?
Buying A Home
My painfully neglected food blog. 
Report
Reply Quote
11-08-2009 at 6:34 PM
TriDent0
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-12-2009
196 Posts
3,807 Points
TriDent0 is not online. Last active: 11-20-2009, 9:13 PMNewbie

May as well put it on there.  If they're looking for US citizens, you aren't going to offend them by writing it down.  I don't know why you wouldn't.
 
Report
Reply Quote
11-09-2009 at 9:44 AM
suzymarie
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-27-2002
Twin Cities, MN
3,714 Posts
70,287 Points
suzymarie is not online. Last active: 11-21-2009, 9:16 PMSilver
Well, when recruiting for ym co, we asked every person "are you legally authorized to work in the US" or something like that (whatever our legal dept. told us we were allowed to ask, basically.).  So it certainly wouldn't hurt to mention it somewhere but they will just ask you if it matters to them.
Suzan, mama to DS William born 9/18/07, and baby GIRL on the way (EDD March 4th).
Lilypie 
Report
Reply Quote
11-09-2009 at 12:48 PM
fbf2006
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-11-2005
NYC via Atlanta, Boston and Toronto
482 Posts
8,892 Points
fbf2006 is not online. Last active: 11-21-2009, 9:30 PMNewbie

LittleMissWifey:
Not to belabor the point...but the fact that someone in America could be stigmatized for a "foreign last name" is fairly troublesome. Unless your last name is Sitting Bull or some such similar name, don't most people have a last name here that could be reasonably argued as foreign?

A foreign last name is one in which people typically ask you where you're from when they see/hear your first and/or last name (even though you might have been born and lived in the US your whole life). It typically belongs to people originally from Africa and some parts of Asia.

 
Report
Reply Quote
11-09-2009 at 4:30 PM
Ready4theP...
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-17-2008
3,737 Posts
68,114 Points
Ready4theParty is not online. Last active: 11-20-2009, 11:23 AMSilver
HistoryGeek:

If it was just your name, I wouldn't worry about it.  Many, many Americans have foreign last names.  I don't even know what an "American" last name would be much beyond Smith? Johnson?

If you think it's going to be that big of a deal, or it's a requirement I would definately put it in a cover letter.  However this isn't a reason to discriminate.  If we can give a security clearance to people who have green cards, I'm sure there is something about discriminating against people who studied abroad and have a strange last name.
 
Report
Reply Quote

search boards

choose another board

hot topics

"Turkey tips and recipes?"
Posted by: BensBabe823

"Favorite beauty products?"
Posted by: mdinohio

"Is it ok to schedule sex?"
Posted by: DeAndrea Wheeler

most active posters
JARbaby
116 posts
Tambcat
114 posts
Serendipit...
105 posts
staycee
101 posts
Goldie_Loc...
91 posts
RevJen
78 posts
cjeanette
70 posts
GypsyLou
64 posts
pixy_stix
63 posts
BlairWaldo...
61 posts

connect with these online Nesties
Beccaboo0713 mrs_sherod
kacy114 CharBart
the_one_the_only EIIe_Woods
AlisaS carlyw77
phreerose kaylaandjoel
JoyGotDots KamiSuzanne
msditz00 AFWife1229
JoyousJulia mnbv9502!
bride2be2823 Sha&Joel
psychmusetls cinderellabella
shelleyg kimekat
PurplePeep Quazel
MaxOrTori SamsMom91
Rache22 Dimberly
Mominator Buckets of Moonbeams
From the blogs:
Dressing Your Thanksgiving Table

Holiday Baking 101

Love in the Time of (Swine) Flu
Choose a market:
Financial Services

>> Katherine Wahlberg, CRPC | Ameriprise Financial Services Inc [New York]
Solid financial footing is one of the keys to a stress-free nest. Whether you hope

>> The Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts [Boston]
The Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts (SBLI) has been protecting

Banking & Mortgage Services

>> MetLife Home Loans, Greg Giokas [Boston]
Offering seven years of industry experience and a commitment to providing personalized

>> Mike Minicucci [Boston]

>> See resources in another market