Should you put Australian Citizenship on a Resume or CV?

LHikko on 10/05/2018 - 17:21
Last edited 10/05/2018 - 18:04 by 1 other user

Hi Guys,

I am currently working on my Resume and Cover letter. I've just completed an internship, and now looking for a more permanent role.

I've done a bit of research online but there seems to be conflictive responses to this question. And some sites were more geared towards which country's citizenship you refer to. I suppose there are different rules and customs for each country. But here I'm more interested about Australian Citizenship though.

I'm curious to see what OzBargainer's think about this topic. And it might help others out that's pondering the same thing.

So, Should you put Australian Citizenship on a Resume or CV?

PS: I do have Australian Citizenship, pretty much grew up here. However, I have an asian surname.

Education & Work

Comments

  • Quantumcat on 10/05/2018 - 17:23
    +5

    If a job says only citizens need apply then I wouldn't worry. If it doesn't, and you have an Asian or Indian sounding name, I would. If you first name is English and last name is Asian, probably wouldn't worry (sounds like your parents or an ancestor was an immigrant but you weren't) but you could if you just wanted to be sure. The problem with putting it on is it sounds like you might be an immigrant and that you won't speak fluent English or might have an accent (if it is a phone operator role for example). To allay those fears you can put your whole career history right back to where you went to high school to make it obvious you grew up here.

    • [Deactivated] on 10/05/2018 - 17:27
      -4

      Asking for only citizens is discriminatory towards all that aren't citizens but have legal right to work in Australia.

      • Hikko on 10/05/2018 - 17:48

        Normally they state "Applicants must be Australian citizens or have the right/permanent right to work in Australia", or something like that in the ads.

      • Diji1 on 10/05/2018 - 18:08
        +1

        Uh … that doesn't mean it doesn't happen, Australia is fairly racist.

      • Quantumcat on 10/05/2018 - 18:10
        +9

        If you're applying for a government job and will need a security clearance you have to be a citizen. There's nothing discriminatory about it.

      • Donaldhump on 10/05/2018 - 19:24
        +1

        I guess every country in the world discriminates that the leader must be a citizen

      • idonotknowwhy on 10/05/2018 - 21:15

        Pretty sure when I was looking for jobs there were cleaner and baby sitter job ads which said "only women" lol.

      • jhmtaylor on 11/05/2018 - 11:31

        It is normal for business practice for an employer to discriminate against unsuitable applicants. They discriminate again applicants who are badly dressed, have poor hygiene and grooming, have an unsatisfactory employment record, unsuitable education and training, type of personality and in the case of non-citizens who may not be here for the long-term. I do not see the problem

    • Hikko on 10/05/2018 - 17:44

      Actually I've opted to use an english nickname in my Resume. Just to reduced the chances of being discriminated against (we all know it does happen).

      Yes, my parents were immigrants back in 96. We came here when I was 5-6 years old. I wasn't given an english name at the time. I don't have an accent, so I wouldn't have an issue communicating during an interview or over the phone. I'm just concerned about the Resume filtering process.

      I personally do feel weird about putting Australian Citizen on my resume or CV.

      • payton on 10/05/2018 - 18:07
        -3

        HR will find it interesting that you used a disguised name on the CV

        • Hikko on 10/05/2018 - 19:11

          Well it wasn't an issue in my previous role, once I got the position I gave them my legal name so HR could put together the employment contract. They also needed it to enter my super details.

        • scrimshaw on 10/05/2018 - 19:33

          HR don't actually care about the legal name / disguied name thing in a resume unless you are applying for some kind of government job or other job where your background might be of a security concern.

          for these fussy applications, the screening process is super long and you'll have to provide more than just a legal name during the application. It also often involves a health report, police report, Working With Children check.. etc

          I've spoken to HR at several companies about this and yes, even recruiting companies like Randstad. It's not a big issue for most places.

        • MeesusEff on 10/05/2018 - 19:43

          I gave a Western name on application but when I filled the form I put my official name. HR aren't that dumb that they can't put 2+2 together..

        • Changskies on 11/05/2018 - 10:26

          yeah. something called preferred and legal name fyi.

      • jonnochen on 11/05/2018 - 09:51

        I would use your actual name. I'm a halfie with an Asian surname, but born in NZ, but am definitely aware of the inherent/subconscious/conscious bias that plays into these things so I have included a small photo and state that I am a NZ citizen on my CV.

        It might seem silly, but I think it's unfortunately necessary to help get through the culling stage (in some siutations). Everyone is different though, that's just how I decided to approach it.

        Including something from highschool locally is also probably useful (unless your high school is one of those hated ones haha).

  • MrHyde on 10/05/2018 - 17:55

    More than citizenship, it is important to be clear on your working visa status. That is where stating citizenship helps.

  • chumlee on 10/05/2018 - 18:17
    +10

    Are you applying for pre seletion for a seat in Parliament?

  • [Deactivated] on 10/05/2018 - 18:20

    Depends on the job. Entry level and low skill jobs, everything helps.

    If I'm looking for a job, I'm equally interviewing my potential employer as they are interviewing me. Asking for anything other than what is relevant would severely impact the other's esteem.

  • smuggler on 10/05/2018 - 18:20
    -8

    You should put your place of birth on your resume.

    When you apply for a job, you have to disclose where you were born. Better to be honest and upfront.

    • stralya on 10/05/2018 - 18:25

      No, you definitely do not put your place of birth on your resume. Your place of birth is irrelevant to performing the role.

      • smuggler on 10/05/2018 - 22:16

        I guess it's just my field which requires security clearance. They usually ask for it in the application anyway.

        My CV also finds itself overseas too, so I am required to add it.

    • [Deactivated] on 11/05/2018 - 15:41

      i followed your advice and was rejected from a job because my application said "my mums vagina" on it

  • Pharos5 on 10/05/2018 - 18:27
    +2

    I wish it wasn't the way, but it would probably help.

    I'm lucky my Australian dad provided both my first and last name instead of my Asian mum's choice.

  • ShannonN on 10/05/2018 - 18:58

    I don't think it's necessary anymore as Australia is full of immigrants etc from many cultures. I'd only mention it at interview if the position made it a requirement.

    • jonnochen on 11/05/2018 - 09:51

      Are you caucasian?

  • Master Bates on 10/05/2018 - 19:02
    +1

    I suggest putting it on; it is one less chance of being rejected.

    From your research, what were the negative reasons for putting it on?

    • Hikko on 10/05/2018 - 19:20
      +1

      Pretty much what Quantumcat mentioned up top.

      It might appear like your an immigrant and might not speak english fluently.

      Others just said it looks weird, or be frowned upon.

  • Donaldhump on 10/05/2018 - 19:25

    I think it does not hurt,

  • Hardlyworkin on 10/05/2018 - 19:44
    +1

    I think if all your work experience and education is in Australia them that probably speaks for itself. If this was overseas then I would put citizenship status.

  • verisimilitude on 10/05/2018 - 20:15
    +4

    I don't think it's necessary. If you are a good fit, you'll get interviewed and hired regardless. If you are filtered out solely based on an asian surname, I don't think that's the place you'll want to work at anyway.

  • Jabberwocky on 10/05/2018 - 21:14
    +1

    If you don't have a Western/White/Aussie (call it whatever) name, then ABSOLUTELY YESSSS.

  • TheBilly on 10/05/2018 - 21:27
    +3

    I put

    HSC completed - High school name
    Bachelors Degree - University name

    That usually implies enough that I am Aussie and able to work here.

    My name is compltely non english and barely pronouncable. I dont change it for my application either. I would if I preferred to be called by an alternative name, but I prefer my real name. Never had any bad luck with applications.

    I dont know about other cities, but Sydney is now either; British, Indian or Chinese. If you experience racism during the application process, that is just shit luck. Because 70% of your encounters in Sydney will be with an ethnic or immigrant of some sort.

  • mysterytal on 10/05/2018 - 21:31

    Do not put your citizenship on your CV. It's assumed you have the right to work here and you want a recruiter reading important things about your skills and experience and not waste time reading about your citizenship. You only have about 15 seconds in which to impress a recruiter make it count.

    • MrHyde on 11/05/2018 - 05:43
      +3

      That's a terrible assumption to work. The number of resumes I get where the person does not have full rights or permanent rights to work is astonishing. Even when the ad says must be Australian citizen or permanent resident, we still get ads from students who say they can work only x hours or ppl asking if we can sponsor them for visa.

    • jonnochen on 11/05/2018 - 09:53

      Trust no-one, assume nothing, give oxygen. Three tips to help you get through life.

  • sahh on 10/05/2018 - 21:48
    +1

    If you don't mind me asking what industry do you work in? Also a lot of companies would do a quick phone interview to suss out an applicants phone manner etc

    • Changskies on 11/05/2018 - 10:33

      +1 this. if they call you and you have no appropriate phone manners yeah. avoid short word answers

    • Hikko on 11/05/2018 - 11:29

      I'm in the finance industry. Like many industries its very competitive at the moment. Too much supply, not enough positions.

  • kpyam2000 on 11/05/2018 - 09:30

    I just put that I have the right to work in Australia

  • Changskies on 11/05/2018 - 10:31

    no. you don't really need to. I have an asian name along with my preferred name, never had a problem.

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