[Hotel Zulu]

I want to know if your given name influences the likelihood of being offered an interview. My first name is 'Hollie' (seems to me to be artistic and creative). I would like to use 'Jane' as my professional name (my middle name) as this to me seems more reliable/scientific sounding. I want to apply for science jobs. Has any research been done into this area?

[Wondergirl]

Nowadays, with so many unusual names out there (unusual spellings of common names and also ethnic names), I suspect using Jane instead of Hollie wouldn't matter. Try it. Put H. Jane X on some of your resumes and Hollie J. X on others.

More important than which name you use would be how good your resume looks, and are you submitting it with care and to the people who should see it.