Name change vs alias - difficult sounding name

[cdss 7]

I have a very difficult sounding name . At times it is so difficult to make people say it that I don't even bother to pronounce it I just start to spell it out.

All my degree certificates and job experience etc list my current name and I am considering changing it to a more western sounding name .

What could the implications be of changing my first name? I am just worried whether job hunting will be difficult once I change my name?

How do I mention in my job application that I changed my name ? Can that cause more suspicion?

Any suggestion from people who have very ethnic names? is it a better idea to go with a ethnic name and a western sounding alias?

I always feel as though a western sounding name would get shortlisted better during a job application

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I don't see why a job hunt here in the US would be more difficult if you change your name? Unless the jobs you're applying for need to do background checks (and then you'd advise of a name change anyway) you don't need to reveal to anyone that you had a name change. Depending on your job field its not even necessary to change your name

I know of friends who have a longer Indian name (Guruswammy goes by Guru for example on his resume), I think you can easily go with a Western short form on your resume if that simplifies things. I work in IT and there are many many folks with "ethnic' names who don;t really run into issues at all...I don;t think its a barrier to employment at all, although I can see that some industries might have less exposure to foreign individuals than others.

In short - I think its up to you and how you feel about it. I don;t think you're under any obligation to reveal you had a name change at 1 time...after all, I got married at one point but I don;t explain to people I had name change from my maiden to married name

[agnesb 47]

I have moderately difficult name and even though it's kind of easy to pronounce it once one hears it they wont be able to write it down thus I always have to spell it. I go by my short name at work and within friends so thats ok. I think it's very common not only with foreigners but these days all the names are so original that even us citizens have to often spell their names. If you really want to change your name then it wont affect your job hunting. Just make sure you always add your previous names in all "all other names used, previous names, maiden name" etc.

I am not sure how change of name looks like prior to naturalisation but you can actually legally change your name as part of naturalisation process, which seems to be less hassle.