Will being an Out Atheist hinder my job search?

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Permalink Reply by John D on May 11, 2010 at 10:04am

Most HR managers will at least do a quick Google search on a potential employee. It is a reasonable thing to do. Heck, I even Google my friends for fun.

Give it a try. What happens when you Google yourself? If you would hire this person then you are probably okay. If a Google search makes you look like a trouble maker you may want to make some security changes in your electronic life.

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Permalink Reply by Alicia Foy on May 11, 2010 at 10:18am

"when you google my name and city the very first entry to come up is my atheist nexus page."

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Permalink Reply by Prog Rock Girl on May 11, 2010 at 10:33am

You could change your name and photo and use a different email address on your resume.

I don't know if that will help. I'm totally paranoid about these busybody employers.

I managed to get hired by a place whose mission statement includes "glorifying God". They didn't preach to me or inquire to my religious beliefs. I just hope no one notices the small "don't believe in god? you're not alone" sticker, but I won't be heartbroken.

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Permalink Reply by Martin Allen on May 11, 2010 at 11:47am

I just checked the name of your city. I suggest moving city.

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Permalink Reply by Rusty Gunn. on May 27, 2010 at 4:58pm

Hey, ya gotta have enough sense to use a non de plume.

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Permalink Reply by Adam Sherman on May 27, 2010 at 5:04pm

Enough sense to use one, or enough spine not to?

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Permalink Reply by Tom Thompson on May 27, 2010 at 6:57pm

Not all of us have the will to martyr ourselves for the cause.

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Permalink Reply by Jo Jerome on May 31, 2010 at 1:49pm

Enough sense to use one, or enough spine not to?

I remember watching a comedian once: "I flew into Oklahoma wearing my gay pride t-shirt because I'm proud. I also wore a plain colored sweatshirt over it because I'm smart."

Personally, I don't pretend to be a Theist or deny my Atheism to anyone, even if I'm risking a friendship or a job. But for the sake of that job, I don't always advertise it either. When I'm independently wealthy, that will change.

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Permalink Reply by Chres Chant on June 14, 2010 at 9:51pm

Don't ask, don't tell. Worked for the military for years; now it's working for us! ;)

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Permalink Reply by Joshua Chase on May 27, 2010 at 10:28am

Theoretically it shouldn't be an issue, as employers are forbidden by law from discriminating based on religion (or lack of one). That being said, it may influence the "feel" they have of you if it is bothersome to the person making the hiring decision. You can't escape/legislate human nature.

Personally, I have been open about it for over a decade and even have an FSM "fish" and Darwin-ized "fish" on my car. Hasn't been a real problem so far as I can tell. Doing a generic search on yourself is a good idea as well as making sure any social media sites you may use (Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, etc) are representative of the type of person are/wish to portray. I think you'd have a lot tougher time getting hired if your Facebook page were plastered with pictures of you with a bong or chugging tequila out of a bottle than if you were a member of an "atheist" group.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Thompson on May 27, 2010 at 7:00pm

"I think you'd have a lot tougher time getting hired if your Facebook page were plastered with pictures of you with a bong or chugging tequila out of a bottle than if you were a member of an "atheist" group."

You might think that, but you'd be wrong. Those are forgivable sins. Denying the holy spirit is an unforgivable sin in Christianity. Heck, it's a death sentence in Islam.

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Permalink Reply by Chres Chant on June 14, 2010 at 9:49pm

I got a job with a highly conservative southern HVAC company even though I had a Darwin fish on the back of my car when I interviewed. They had all sorts of cameras on site, and had to have seen it; however, I was fully qualified for the position, and got the job. I just wouldn't recommend proselytizing to your interviewer. And yeah, many of us set up social networks based around belief systems, but Chres Chant isn't my real name either. Does that make me a coward? Maybe. Currently I have an FSM decal on my car, paired with a dinosaur eating a Jesus fish, and I'm looking for a new job. But it's all about the best fit, and honestly, if they're going to turn you down because of your privately held beliefs, do you really want to work there?

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