Correcting interviewer on your name's pronunciation.

[Karina 07]

Is this advisable? Or should one just sort of accept a mangled version of one's name rather than start off with "[Name here], actually."

No, I'm not applying to med school, but I'm applying for scholarships and jobs this year and my "real" name is Eva, pronounced like "ever" except with an "a" instead of the "er" at the end. Everyone either says "eeeeeva" or "ava" when they first meet me.

This would seem such a piddling little point, and I admit it is, but I was reading on another thread about how someone would've taken a half-eaten danish that an interviewer offered, because "he knew how those food-sharers are", and it establishes a bond. Well, correcting someone, politely, on the pronunciation of one's name can't be *hugely* bond-destroying but maybe in some psychological, unconscious way it does put one a little lower down in their estimation...?

(Of course, there would be other factors, too -- like I can imagine if there are multiple interviewers, and the second one comes around and happens to address me correctly, then the first one would wonder why I didn't correct him/her....)

Yes, hyper-paranoid tiny little question, but...?

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[runningmom]

Is this advisable? Or should one just sort of accept a mangled version of one's name rather than start off with "[Name here], actually."

I'd correct them nicely of course.... but what seems to happen most frequently is that I hold out my hand and introduce myself as I walk into the room before they have a chance to mangle my name.... alleviates the entire problem.

 

[Genetics]

It depends on the type of person you are speaking to. Since you most likely don't know the person, it is best to leave the person pronounce your name wrong and not self-correct them if they don't ask if they pronounced it correctly. However, if a person is trying to pronounce your name slowly, then it is polite to say your name in a soft tone. Always try to aide on the side of professionalism. If it is an interview or a one time meeting, just let it slide. If you are hired for a new job then it is your job to let people know how to pronounce your name. The best way to learn how to handle these situations is with trial and error.

Is this advisable? Or should one just sort of accept a mangled version of one's name rather than start off with "[Name here], actually."

No, I'm not applying to med school, but I'm applying for scholarships and jobs this year and my "real" name is Eva, pronounced like "ever" except with an "a" instead of the "er" at the end. Everyone either says "eeeeeva" or "ava" when they first meet me.

This would seem such a piddling little point, and I admit it is, but I was reading on another thread about how someone would've taken a half-eaten danish that an interviewer offered, because "he knew how those food-sharers are", and it establishes a bond. Well, correcting someone, politely, on the pronunciation of one's name can't be *hugely* bond-destroying but maybe in some psychological, unconscious way it does put one a little lower down in their estimation...?

(Of course, there would be other factors, too -- like I can imagine if there are multiple interviewers, and the second one comes around and happens to address me correctly, then the first one would wonder why I didn't correct him/her....)

Yes, hyper-paranoid tiny little question, but...?

 

[Depakote]

My last name gets mispronounced/misspelled so many times I'm just used to it.

Anyway, go ahead and correct them:

1.) Now I'm not going to say that if you don't correct people on trivial things, you'll be a terrible doctor b/c you never stand up for yourself on any issue (there are people that will say that). But it is ok to show a little confidence in any situation (scholarship interviews, med school interviews, etc.)

2.) These people are human. They only get to read your name and make a best guess at it. They would like to know the proper way to pronounce your name if they get it wrong, just be polite.

 

[alwaysaangel]

I wouldn't correct them. Especially with first names like that where all they are putting a hard vowel where a soft vowel belongs or visa versa, it just seems so petty.

If they ask if they said it write, sure correct them. But if I were interviewing someone and I said hi EEEva and they go "actually its eva" I would just have a bad first impression that may carry into the interview because I would be seeing them as nit picky and petty.

But thats just me.

 

[tch001]

At my last interview, my interviewer used a very hispanic pronunciation of my name Theresa (ter-RAISE-a instead of ter-RESSE-a), but I wasn't about to correct him. If he wants to think I'm hispanic, that is A ok with me! but seriously, my name (mostly last name) is mispronounced all the time, and I don't correct people unless they ask me if they said it right. why risk sounding b*tchy or offending someone who doesn't take corrections easily?

 

[BucsFan813]

I don't know about medicine, but in business, I know that some interviewers will pronounce your name incorrectly just to see if you will correct them...

 

[PhantomfanMD]

I don't know about medicine, but in business, I know that some interviewers will pronounce your name incorrectly just to see if you will correct them...

in a case like this, I doubt the interviewer will know the correct pronunciation since Eva in the english language is pronounced "E-Vuh" with our rules and such. I'd lay off correcting them since an acceptance is more important and being excluded from an acceptance for such a petty reason would just suck.

 

[Writer1985]

My first name is mispronounced a lot. I was worried about this being an issue in interviews, but usually I've been called into the interviewer's office as "Ms. Lastname", and I introduce myself to them as my first name, enunciated. If they mispronounce my name later in the interview, I let it slide. (But now that I think about it, I can't remember any instances of being addressed by my name in the interview itself -- just "you".)

 

[Depakote]

Angle is right. Ask yourself one question.

What do you want more your name pronounced correctly or an acceptance?

You're right. Hang on, lemmie put on my gameface...

Depakote

Ya know what, Dorothy. The last thing any med school wants is a student that sticks up for his or her convictions (b/c you know, you could wind up using that for your patients and you know they don't want that). So go ahead and go through life being afraid that you'll offend anyone, especially anyone in a position of power.

Will they notice? meh. who knows? Is it some super-secret test. Probably not, but I wouldn't put it past some places. But this is a lesson you'll learn now or you'll learn later... and you won't be rejected b/c you told someone how to pronounce your name.

 

[mdthisyear]

My name is hard to pronounce and has been a good interviewer starter so far.

The first question is usually "Am I pronouncing your name right?" or "Sorry for butchering your name". I just say "Pretty close" and then pronounce it for them. When I say pretty close, they, so far, have been happy, taking it as a complement. I have for the most part got offers back from them!

Will employ the same strategy if I ever get an interview invite to a med school.

 

[beastly115]

My last name is hard to pronounce and I have yet to meet a person who didn't ask me how to pronounce it correctly.

Oh yes, it's that hard.

 

[future_dr_house]

You're right. Hang on, lemmie put on my gameface...

Depakote

Ya know what, Dorothy. The last thing any med school wants is a student that sticks up for his or her convictions (b/c you know, you could wind up using that for your patients and you know they don't want that). So go ahead and go through life being afraid that you'll offend anyone, especially anyone in a position of power.

Will they notice? meh. who knows? Is it some super-secret test. Probably not, but I wouldn't put it past some places. But this is a lesson you'll learn now or you'll learn later... and you won't be rejected b/c you told someone how to pronounce your name.

how i'd introduce myself:

"hello Mr Cohen"
"it's a very nice, i like you peoples"

 

[univscience]

oh please. if this application process tucks your tail between your legs enough to not correct someone when they mispronounce your name there is a problem.

 

[HumbleMD]

I have a difficult last name to pronounce, and it's usually a non-issue. I either point out how it's pronounced when I introduce myself and the interviewer then makes some remark about it (great ice breaker), or when I sit down they ask me how to pronounce it (another great ice breaker). Don't let it become a difficult situation, but turn it into a positive one.

 

[theothernguyen]

Show them that you are unique, so having a unique name is one step ahead of everyone else 😛

 

[MossPoh]

I think in your situation you should let it slide.....Because they are generally going with the standard prononciation for your name in english. One of the most frustrating things for me is when people have a name that is spelled exactly the same as everyone elses yet it is suppossed to be pronounced differently for whatever reason. Ex. Terrel, or a kid I know..it isn't Brandon it is BranDON. while in germany my name was pronounced in german all the time....doesn't change the spelling or meaning it is just how the language rolls. If you had a complicated name then I'd say quietley correct them....but I think something like can just be a bit annoying to an interviewer.

 

[njbmd]

Is this advisable? Or should one just sort of accept a mangled version of one's name rather than start off with "[Name here], actually."

No, I'm not applying to med school, but I'm applying for scholarships and jobs this year and my "real" name is Eva, pronounced like "ever" except with an "a" instead of the "er" at the end. Everyone either says "eeeeeva" or "ava" when they first meet me.

This would seem such a piddling little point, and I admit it is, but I was reading on another thread about how someone would've taken a half-eaten danish that an interviewer offered, because "he knew how those food-sharers are", and it establishes a bond. Well, correcting someone, politely, on the pronunciation of one's name can't be *hugely* bond-destroying but maybe in some psychological, unconscious way it does put one a little lower down in their estimation...?

(Of course, there would be other factors, too -- like I can imagine if there are multiple interviewers, and the second one comes around and happens to address me correctly, then the first one would wonder why I didn't correct him/her....)

Yes, hyper-paranoid tiny little question, but...?

Walk in, extend your hand to shake hands, look the interviewer in the eye and say clearly, "Hello, my name is ---!" You can then sit down and proceed with the interview. If the interview mispronounces your name it is then because, you didn't pronounce it clearly or they are doing it intentionally to rattle you. Don't be rattled and don't keep correcting the interviewer. Let it slide and relax.

As some posters have said, a difficult name can be a great "ice breaker". Other than that, I would seriously doubt if your acceptance will "hang" on you correcting the interviewer and most of us are not there to "play with your head".

The medical school interview is designed for the interviewer to get to know you and what makes you unique. Allow them to do this and don't get rattled. Sure, you are nervous but don't let your nerves get the better of you.

There are too many folks out there that are second generation Americans with names that are difficult to pronouce. Most professionals will ask you to pronounce your name if it looks difficult. If not, do this for them and get on with the interview. Above all, don't get hung up on this point.

A close colleague of mine has the last name Ng. You can imagine how that could be pronounced. She pronounces it "ing" that rhymes with "Bing". When she gets paged over the public address it's sometimes funny how some of the operators will pronounce her name. Even my surname, which is French, has been mispronounced a time or two. I generally correct once and then let it go.

 

[MasterMD]

Angle is right. Ask yourself one question.

What do you want more your name pronounced correctly or an acceptance?

YOU COPIED MY SIG! 👎

when they shake my hand i say my name.. like an introduction.. "Hi. NAME. (as i extend my hand. they say their name as we are shaking hands) Pleased to meet you."

correction made while being polite.

 

[PeripateticMD]

Correct them. Because honestly, they know they're saying it wrong. It'll make you both comfortable if you correct them. It'll be awkward if they see you with someone else and say it wrong, and the other person says it right... yadda yadda... I have a really hard last name to pronounce. And people know when they don't know how to pronounce something, so yeah, just give you and your interviewer some slack and politely tell them how to pronounce your name, you never know, once when I did, i got asked what it meant, if it meant something, and it led to an even better discussion...

 

[R.P. McMurphy]

Either way, it's not going to be a big deal....but I say don't correct them. I seriously doubt anyone is going to be offended because you DIDN'T correct them.....but there are some seriously pompous physicians out there who might take offense (although this is probably rare) if you do.

Better to play it safe imo.

 

[scholj]

I would think that a polite correction would be viewed as someone who is confident and proud of their name. I have one of those German last names that most people mispronounce, and if it's not a telemarketer or anything, I'll correct them. It's my name.

However, I guess it would depend on how the situation presented itself. The best thing would be to introduce yourself the instant you meet to avoid the whole scenario (I think someone else said that too). If they are looking to pronounce your name correctly (slowly pronouncing it, asking if their pronunciation is correct, etc), then definately.

 

[Quix]

My last name gets mispronounced/misspelled so many times I'm just used to it.

"De-pa-coo-tie?"

To the OP: so it sounds like "Evan" minus the 'n'? In all seriousness, I wouldn't worry too much about it - I get interesting variations on my last name, and I've just gotten used to it. I correct them later, but in a more casual setting and tone.