TheLadders Urges Mothers To Use Nicknames For Their Kids

NEW YORK, May 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- With Mother's Day on the horizon, TheLadders conducted a study that will give prospective mothers something to think about when naming their children. In analyzing the first names of TheLadders' nearly 6 million members against variables such as industry, salary level, and location, the online job-matching service uncovered a significant correlation between the number of letters in a name and salary ranges.

Basically, every letter added to a name's length accounts for a $3,600 drop in annual salary, which amounts to nearly $150,000 over a 40-year career. This surprising trend of shorter names equating higher salaries led TheLadders to test its theory on nicknames, to discover whether those going by shorter versions of their proper names truly make more money. After testing 24 pairings, 23 of them earned higher compensation than their shortened counterparts, for example, Steve/Stephen, Bill/William, and Debbie/Deborah. Only in only one case -- Lawrence vs. Larry -- did the longer name symbolize more income than the shorter version. The definitive proof for TheLadders' theory can be seen in Sara vs. Sarah, Michele vs. Michelle, or Philip vs. Phillip; one less letter meant more salary.

"However you choose to represent your name, make it consistent across every business channel, including your professional online profiles, resume, business cards, and email signature," said TheLadders Job Search Expert Amanda Augustine. "There's no rule of thumb about using your nickname versus your proper name, but if the results of this study are any indication, 'Christophers' may want to consider going by 'Chris' professionally."

Furthermore, TheLadders analyzed the data to determine the top C-level and highest-paid names, by gender. Key findings conclude that:

• Christine was the only name that showed up on both the top five C-level and highest-paid lists
• The top 10 highest-paid, C-level names earn, on average, 10 percent more than other names
• Females make, on average, 22 percent less than their male counterparts in all comparisons

Additional information about TheLadders' naming study, including the top C-level and highest-paid names, can be found at TheLadders Blog.

On an ongoing basis, TheLadders conducts primary user-experience research and analyzes quantitative data provided by its nearly 6 million members to educate the company about current behavioral trends in the job-search process. TheLadders uses this research to improve the customer experience and provide expert advice to the marketplace.

About TheLadders
With nearly 6 million members, TheLadders is the premier online job-matching service, committed to finding the right person for the right job since 2003. With a unique suite of personalized products and resume services, the company helps job seekers connect with employers and recruiters more effectively and efficiently. Originally recognized as the leading job-matching site for high-earning professionals, TheLadders expanded its services in fall 2011 to all career-driven professionals. In doing so, the more than 36,000 employers and recruiters that use TheLadders to source qualified candidates, now have access to professionals at all levels, free of charge. TheLadders is headquartered in New York City. For more information, visit TheLaddersBlog and TheLadders.com. Your career is our job.™

SOURCE TheLadders

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