Recruiters and agencies making a fuss over my name...

[Kurzon]

Hi,

I have been lurking here for a while reading. For some time now I've been trying to get into the Government sector where it seems most technical roles require at least SC clearance and above.

I am British born and raised but I don't have an English name. For the past 5 months that I've been trying to get my foot into this area recruiters keep telling me agencies like the MoD are very particular about this sort of stuff, and then they ask about the origins of my name? It just feels like everyone is avoiding me like the plague.

I'm very new to this as I'm near the end of my academic studies (university). Has anyone else experienced this issue and do you have any advice?

This is really getting me down. I have even tried A LOT of permanent roles and eventually carried out an experiment of applying to the same/similar roles with another name (it was really bugging me so I need to be sure), and these received more favourable responses.

Also, my name has previously came up when I reached the security-type interviews where I had to discuss it...

Thanks for reading.

[Kurzon]

Does anyone have any experience with this?

[BrilloPad]

Change your name

OR

Record the conversations and report those involved.

OR

Apply directly to the government departments. If it still comes up then report them.

[BigRed]

So you haven't even finished University yet but but you are posting on a contractors board and saying you want to work in the Government sector? no wonder they are suspicious.

Change your name and praise Allah that you are not fat, old, and ugly like me. Most of my gigs come from telephone interviews.

[Kurzon]

So you haven't even finished University yet but but you are posting on a contractors board and saying you want to work in the Government sector? no wonder they are suspicious.

Change your name and praise Allah that you are not fat, old, and ugly like me. Most of my gigs come from telephone interviews.

I have finished, but graduation is at a later date.

I have been searching for many months now and no luck... I understand that it's very difficult at the moment for everyone, but I'm failing before recruiters even check my CV!

I have been completely transparent with everyone and don't have anything to hide either.

[Kurzon]

Change your name

OR

Record the conversations and report those involved.

OR

Apply directly to the government departments. If it still comes up then report them.

Thanks for your suggestions.

I'm afraid of reporting them, that'll probably make things even worse for me getting on the ladder.

I have seriously considered changing my name, but I can't do it yet until I get my degree certificate first (I want it to be my original name on there). I looked into the whole name changing thing with Deed Poll and it sounds like a lot of hassle getting all my IDs and records updated and replaced... and quite expensive!

[malvolio]

So no experience, no contracting history, probably an idealised view of what a technical role entails and no understanding of how clearance works. Hmmm...

If you believe you are being turned down for consideration because of concerns you might not be able to be cleared, there's an email address at the Cabinet Office where you can report it. You won't get an immediate answer though. The Equalities Commission are also interested in such things, bizarrely, so may be worth a phone call.

But learn your trade then worry about getting a contracting job. People are hiring contractors on the basis of their ability to deliver, which means a bit of history delivering things is a good start.

[Kurzon]

So no experience, no contracting history, probably an idealised view of what a technical role entails and no understanding of how clearance works. Hmmm...

Before my computer science course at uni, I studied for a year at another uni in computer and electronics. Prior to that I studied for a CCNA qualification and I was a Cisco Network Academy student. Prior to that I had customer service experience (part-time) to compliment my GCSE and A-Level years.

In between all of the above I self-taught various linux distributions, web server management (LAMP mainly), got into web development and custom CMS design etc.

I managed to get a brief contract with a taxi company to develop their website and reservation system as well. Although through a family friend.

During uni it was constant teamwork as well on various assignments along with larger project work for years 2 and 3 (final year project in year 3).

I don't think I have an idealised view, tbh I'm thinking it's going to be extremely tough, that I won't know anything, that it might be hostile, not everyone is going to take a liking to me, people will have different views/opinions on things, I'll be thrown in the deep-end etc. etc. I am very pessimistic actually, and I'm applying only for trainee/junior positions (low pay but I only care about extending my skills at the moment).

If you believe you are being turned down for consideration because of concerns you might not be able to be cleared, there's an email address at the Cabinet Office where you can report it. You won't get an immediate answer though. The Equalities Commission are also interested in such things, bizarrely, so may be worth a phone call.

But learn your trade then worry about getting a contracting job. People are hiring contractors on the basis of their ability to deliver, which means a bit of history delivering things is a good start.

Ok cheers, I will Google those places to report. The thing is I never thought it was an issue until it kept being brought up (informally) by recruiters or the people interviewing me (for clearance purposes), and I also did a test of using an English name briefly for the same roles and they were getting responses.

[Kurzon]

At the Allah reference the poster above made... my name was picked by my grandparents, but I myself am not a Muslim (I've already had to have this convo before, so many people think I'm a Muslim). I don't have any religion.

[jamesbrown]

Before my computer science course at uni, I studied for a year at another uni in computer and electronics. Prior to that I studied for a CCNA qualification and I was a Cisco Network Academy student. Prior to that I had customer service experience (part-time) to compliment my GCSE and A-Level years.

In between all of the above I self-taught various linux distributions, web server management (LAMP mainly), got into web development and custom CMS design etc.

I managed to get a brief contract with a taxi company to develop their website and reservation system as well. Although through a family friend.

During uni it was constant teamwork as well on various assignments along with larger project work for years 2 and 3 (final year project in year 3).

I don't think I have an idealised view, tbh I'm thinking it's going to be extremely tough, that I won't know anything, that it might be hostile, not everyone is going to take a liking to me, people will have different views/opinions on things, I'll be thrown in the deep-end etc. etc. I am very pessimistic actually, and I'm applying only for trainee/junior positions (low pay but I only care about extending my skills at the moment).

Without wishing to be rude, the things you cite reveal a level of naivety about contracting. Teamwork at university and helping someone with a website aren't nearly enough. You need proof of delivery on projects that are relevant to your clients. When you begin contracting, it's understood that your experience of delivering projects will be in a permie role, but you would still have that history of delivering. Becoming a contractor too soon is also not a good move in terms of professional development. Seriously, take the advice above about learning your trade first, it really is the best thing you can do.