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I am not denying that discrimination is an issue in the US but I think in OP's case in doesn't look like this is his main problem. Here is why not: - OP is not

I am not denying that discrimination is an issue in the US but I think in OP's case in doesn't look like this is his main problem. Here is why not: - OP is not hiding the fact that he his Indian. It probably shows in his name, on his CV and in his slight accent during phone interviews. Nevertheless, he has been invited for interviews and has even frequently made it to the final round. If being Indian was such an issue, he would not have made it so far so often. - even in the final round when he didn't get the job, according to OP, he was sometimes offered another role instead. If the HR department was so very racist and didn't like Indians, then why would they do that? Of course this is not a proof that there was no discrimination at all, but I would say the chances are greater that there is some other issue that is affecting his chances. Apparently an issue that becomes apparent only in the final rounds. I would definitely not change his name to an americanized version! The problem is that there is something inconsistent between the impression given in his CV and phone interview and what comes out during the final round. Hiding the fact that you are Indian on your CV could only make this problem worse.

throwaway_374 10y ago
Sorry, that's overly simplistic. We don't live in the 1950s. Modern discrimination is "he doesn't really fit into the team culture" ie can't really fist bump him and have a few kegs after work bro. The fact of the matter is teams are tribalistic and often that's synonymous with racially homogenous.
blisterpeanuts 10y ago
I agree; I thought it was odd that he was being offered other positions (what kind of positions, OP?) and it sounds as though he's perhaps not as qualified as he thinks for the position he's seeking. All these people talking about discrimination against South Asians... I don't know, every tech company today has South Asians and East Asians and just about every other ethnicity. I've worked on teams with Indians and Pakistanis for decades now, and I have yet to hear of discrimination, or to witness it. Actually, our economy would grind to a halt if we got rid of all these Asian chaps. And why would we? As a rule, they're smart, they work hard, they're pretty well trained. The one slight stereotype if any, that I would confess to is that the Asians as a group tend not to be mavericks and cowboys. U.S. people and English, and to a lesser extent other Europeans, tend to produce more mavericks and cowboy programmers who question authority, think outside the box, etc. That may be changing, as more Asian folks are raised and educated in the U.S. OP, I would also agree, don't change your name, tint your hair, and "become Western". Take pride in your heritage, for Pete's sake. Who likes a sycophant? Be yourself. And, perhaps, think about what else you might be qualified for that companies are seeing in you that you're not seeing in yourself. Sometimes you have to go where the market is.

throwaway_374 10y ago

Sorry, that's overly simplistic. We don't live in the 1950s. Modern discrimination is "he doesn't really fit into the team culture" ie can't really fist bump him and have a few kegs after work bro. The fact of the matter is teams are tribalistic and often that's synonymous with racially homogenous.

blisterpeanuts 10y ago

I agree; I thought it was odd that he was being offered other positions (what kind of positions, OP?) and it sounds as though he's perhaps not as qualified as he thinks for the position he's seeking. All these people talking about discrimination against South Asians... I don't know, every tech company today has South Asians and East Asians and just about every other ethnicity. I've worked on teams with Indians and Pakistanis for decades now, and I have yet to hear of discrimination, or to witness it. Actually, our economy would grind to a halt if we got rid of all these Asian chaps. And why would we? As a rule, they're smart, they work hard, they're pretty well trained. The one slight stereotype if any, that I would confess to is that the Asians as a group tend not to be mavericks and cowboys. U.S. people and English, and to a lesser extent other Europeans, tend to produce more mavericks and cowboy programmers who question authority, think outside the box, etc. That may be changing, as more Asian folks are raised and educated in the U.S. OP, I would also agree, don't change your name, tint your hair, and "become Western". Take pride in your heritage, for Pete's sake. Who likes a sycophant? Be yourself. And, perhaps, think about what else you might be qualified for that companies are seeing in you that you're not seeing in yourself. Sometimes you have to go where the market is.