Ask HN: Should I use a professional alias?

I'm trying to restart my life in my 30s as a software developer, and feel inhibited when it comes to setting up a bold public profile that would help me stand out as a pro.

My name is unique so it would be impossible to keep my professional life separate from my private life without using a professional alias.

Would it be a good idea to start using a professional alias? Is it likely to cause me any problems down the line? Could I use my alias on my resume instead of my real name? Would anyone involved in hiring react negatively to finding out I use an alias?

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks for your attention.

As a hiring manager, a “bold public profile” is not what I’m looking for. I’m just looking for someone with the skills I need, who seems sane and competent, who has not fluffed up their resume with BS, to apply and interview well.

Are you a porn star?

A Jets quarterback?

I guess you can't say, but I'm curious why you'd need to keep your current life secret.

I semi-accidentally deleted my Linkedin profile a few weeks ago -- I was trying to unsubscribe from their double++premium-something offering. Anyhow, then I had two profiles, and now I think I'm back to one.

It didn't seem to make any difference to anyone - tho, I don't have a public/famous profile, or any need to keep things anonymouse, etc.

I'd probably start with a new gmail address - think you can snag another and get it in the same inbox maybe - not sure. Then sign up for MS/Linkedin with that email. Use two separate Chrome profiles - one with each gmail address - to separate your separate lives - they're easy to switch between.

The alias thing will prob make everyone think you're a child molester with a Subway-Jared background, so I probably would not go there.

And if this is you, Joe, we really need to you work on allowing us to vote these next couple elections at least, so if you want to get into coding - just do a bootcamp, and then you can have a couple hours each day to hack.