What's in a name? Could be a missed job opportunity

By Gerald V. Paul

Yes, Balramsinghrai, your last name make result in fewer callbacks if you are looking for a job.

Nothing new? Sad but true, according to a confirmation by researchers sending out thousands of resumes listing identical experience to online job application sites, changing only the names of the applicants, and measured the response rate from employers.

Employers in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal “significantly discriminate” against applicants with ethnic names compared with those with English names, researchers have found.

“The name draws unconditional stereotypes no matter what else is on the resume, “ Researcher Philip Oreopoulos, a University of Toronto professor said.

There were also concerns about language and social skills.

And the time-pressed recruiters were not actively discriminating against applicants with non-English names ; rather, the discrimination seemed to be subconscious or implicit.

The study asked why immigrants continue to struggle in the labour market when most those who enter Canada on the point system have at least an undergraduate degree.

Unemployment rates are almost double and wages are nearly halved among recent immigrants when compared with native-born workers, according to the study.

The researchers interviewed recruiters responsible for callback decisions, although “very few” agreed to participate.

Recruiters in Toronto and Montreal were 45 per cent more likely to call John Smith over Balgobin.

“The name draws unconditional stereotypes, no matter what else is on the resume,” said Oreopoulous.