Why did companies reject this Asian techie until he went by a different name?

A TeamBlind post by an Asian tech professional has sparked widespread discussion about hiring bias after he revealed that he secured multiple interview invitations only after replacing his “Chinese-sounding” name with “James Bright”.

According to his post, he met all the job requirements, had his résumé reviewed by a career coach, and did not require visa sponsorship because he is a citizen. Despite this, he received nothing but automated rejection emails.

Things changed when he tested a theory he’d seen on Reddit: he applied to the same roles using a more Western name.

“I changed my name on my resume. BAM. I got an email asking for an interview,” he wrote. He explained that “James” was a name he used in school, and “Bright” is a translation of his surname. Using this version, he received interview requests from three companies that had previously rejected him.

He went on to say, “If I go on with the interviews, they’re going to know I didn’t write my legal name on the resume. If I continue using my real name, I won’t get past the resume phase… I am lost. Should I just interview as James and hope for the best?”

Most commenters encouraged him to continue using the name “James,” noting that many professionals use preferred names that differ from their legal names. One user wrote, “Paycheck first, fight systemic racism later.”

The post has since fueled broader conversations about discrimination and systemic bias in the workplace, with many calling for greater awareness and action around inclusive hiring practices.