Your name is more than a formality. It represents who you are and how you see yourself. It is part of your identity. Many of us have more than one name. So for some of my clients, deciding what to put at the top of their resume is very personal.
Take Jim Anderson, for example. (Not his real name, of course.) His resume said “Jim Anderson, III”. I casually asked if he used “III” professionally. His response surprised me.
He never liked being “the third”. But he never wanted to change it out of respect for his father and grandfather who he loved very much. Even at a young age he recognized that they would be devastated.
It took some time, but then he looked at me and said “But they are both gone. I don’t have to keep that as part of my name now.”
Redefining Your Professional Identity with Career Coaching
As professional offering career coaching in San Francisco and throughout the country, I know that job searches aren’t just about finding work—they’re about self-discovery. Sometimes, my role is to simply stay quiet and allow people to process big realizations like this.
In that moment he realized he was free to redefine himself. His new resume simply said “Jim Anderson.”
A job search is a transformative period, and names hold history, identity, and meaning. Through career coaching in San Francisco, I help professionals navigate not just resumes and job searches but also the personal transitions that come with them. It’s an honor to witness these moments of clarity and growth.
Looking for career coaching in San Francisco? Whether you’re navigating a job transition, refining your resume, or preparing for your next interview, I’d love to help. Schedule a free consultation today and take the next step in your career with confidence.