The Kismma Nhuhts Experiment: Applying to 100 Jobs with a Creative Name

Can a quirky name help you get interviews? Lessons from the 100‑application experiment.

‍

TL;DR summary box

• 29 interviews from 100 applications – Jerry Lee sent out resumes under the alias “Kismma D. Nhuhts” and secured interviews at large and small companies.
  
  
• Resume fundamentals beat gimmicks – the experiment showed that strong bullet points, clear job titles and simple templates matter more than a creative name.
  
  
• Numbers catch attention – a majority of bullets with quantifiable results improved interview rates.
  
  

Table of contents

1. Why use a fake name?
   
   
2. What happened with 100 applications?
   
   
3. Key lessons about resumes
   
   
4. Applying the insights
   
   

Why use a fake name?

To test whether a playful alias would affect job prospects, Jerry Lee created a resume for “Kismma D. Nhuhts” (a tongue‑in‑cheek pun) and applied to 100 jobs. The goal was to see if a resume’s fundamentals or the candidate’s name mattered more in securing interviews.

‍

What happened with 100 applications?

After six weeks, the alias received 29 interviews from big, medium and small companies. The surprising success suggested that recruiters pay little attention to names; instead they focus on the resume’s content and structure. The experiment was documented in a Twitter thread and LinkedIn posts.

‍

Designing the fake resume

Jerry and his team deliberately created a resume designed to raise eyebrows. In addition to using the alias “Kiss My Nuts”, they listed skills you would expect from a former Google employee coding, AI and JavaScript but also claimed to be a Mia Khalifa expert. Further down, the resume stated that the candidate had helped spread sexually transmitted diseases to 60 % of interns and held a fraternity record for the most vodka shots in one night. These outrageous claims were a stress test: if recruiters were reading thoroughly, such red flags should immediately disqualify the candidate.

‍

Interview results: the numbers

Despite the obvious red flags, the fake candidate secured 29 interviews in six weeks. Interviews came from large corporations, start‑ups and mid‑sized firms, indicating that the effect was not limited to a particular company size. A success rate of 29 % for unsolicited applications is exceptionally high; most job seekers see response rates closer to 10 % in today’s market. The outcome demonstrates that recruiters often focus on the top of the resume name, title and major brands and may miss problematic details buried further down.

‍

What this reveals about recruiter biases

The experiment suggests that halo effects play a role in resume screening. Recruiters may give undue credit to candidates associated with well‑known companies (in this case, the fictional candidate’s claimed experience at Google) and overlook inconsistent or nonsensical bullet points. It also hints that unusual names are less of a barrier than many job seekers fear. The primary decision drivers were the template, the clarity of job titles and the presence of quantifiable achievements.

‍

Ethical considerations

While the experiment was eye‑opening, it’s important to stress that misrepresenting yourself on a resume is unethical and can have serious consequences. Fabricating experiences or using a deceptive alias can damage your professional reputation if discovered. The Kismma Nhuhts experiment was conducted as a controlled research project to illustrate recruiter behavior not a recommended job search strategy. Always be truthful about your identity and experience.

‍

Frequently asked questions

Does my name matter? For most roles, your name has little influence on whether you get an interview. What matters is the relevance of your experience, the clarity of your job titles and the substance of your bullet points.

Should I use a creative alias like Kismma Nhuhts? No. The alias was part of a research experiment. In real applications, honesty is crucial; using a fake name can disqualify you or even result in legal issues.

Can I exaggerate my achievements? Focus on quantifying real accomplishments. Recruiters can often detect exaggerations, and background checks may verify claims.

How can I improve my response rate? Tailor your resume to the job description, use a simple template, and include metrics. Networking and referrals can dramatically increase your chances of securing interviews.

‍

Key lessons about resumes

• Bullet points and job titles matter: Recruiters glance over resumes quickly and rely on job titles and well‑structured bullet points to decide whether to interview a candidate.
  
  
• Big names help, but achievements are key: Well‑known companies on your resume can catch a recruiter’s eye, yet quantifiable achievements and impactful bullet points can compensate for a lack of famous employers.
  
  
• Simplicity wins: Both the eye‑tracker and Kismma experiments highlight the power of a clean template and concise, numbers‑driven bullets.
  
  

Applying the insights

• Focus on substance: Instead of gimmicky names, emphasize measurable results in your work experience. Use action verbs and quantify outcomes (e.g., “Increased conversion by 30 %”).
  
  
• Use the right tools: Tools like ResumAI help ensure your resume uses proven templates and includes metrics.
  
  
• Don’t over‑engineer details: Avoid overthinking fonts or periods; concentrate on bullet point content and clear job titles.
  
  

See how your resume stacks up. Upload it to ResumAI for a free audit, or download our Resume Audit Checklist to apply these insights yourself.