The ABC's of apologizing

Have you ever put your foot in your mouth--metaphorically speaking--and then try to fix it only to end up with both feet in? That's what happens when one tries to apologize by attempting to justify our actions or deflecting responsibility by placing it somewhere.  An effective apology requires swift and careful thought.

Act quickly.  Do not wait too long to take the first step.  If you are not sure what to say, consult with a trusted mentor, professor or colleague.  Pick someone who can provide a neutral perspective.

Be brief. Get to the point.  "I apologize for X." Or "I would like to apologize for X. My comment/behavior was inappropriate." Period. That is it.  Refrain from explaining why you did it.  This will only take away from the apology.

Cover all your bases.  In order words, have some kind of damage control in place.  Your faux pas is bound to tick people off and some may choose to hold it against you for a long time.  Check in with friends, acquaintances and colleague to gauge who is on your corner.

If you liked this post, you may also like:

The art of following up

At a recent workshop about networking, I had to bite my tongue.  Although the tips and techniques shared were effective in emphasizing the importance of building relationships long term, another concern bothered me:  how to follow up with someone after the initial meeting.

Picture this scenario.  You attend a workshop, career fair or a networking session.  The most natural next step is to exchange business cards or to ask for someone's card to stay in touch.  What really happens afterwards? Nothing.  There seems to be a belief that having someone else's card in our possession is enough to reach out to them later when it is needed.  False. This is not the most effective way to follow up with someone we just met.  They may have met many people that day.  So, how do you stand out? By following up right away.  Here is how.

• Send a quick and short note within two days.  Include where you met to give a point of reference. Mention something about discussed during your conversation that will help remember you.  Here is an example:  "Good morning Ms. Smith, it was a real pleasure meeting you at the Careers in STEM workshop at Princeton University last Monday.  As an engineer (here you include your current professional status), your comments about the outlook for job growth in the field of chemical engineering were highly encouraging." 
• Rank the relationship.  Decide whether this contact is someone with long term potential or if you are mostly interested in a more tactical relationship like an informational interview or a resume critique.  Beware: if your main goal is to have her introduce you to a hiring manager, you must be patient and take time to build trust. 
• Find ways to remain top of mind.  A common way to remain on your contact's radar is to send occasional emails with articles or links related to her area of interest.  Other ways to build engagement:  ask for a short meeting for an informational interview, extend an invitation to participate in a future workshop, conference, or send a note during a major holiday.

If you liked this post, you might also like,

The 411 on informational interviews

First impressions tips and strategies

Career tips during Hispanic Heritage month

The festivities to honor Hispanic Heritage month are well on their way.  And, aside from free food and live music, there are hidden opportunities for job seekers looking to engage in the celebration while continuing to identify potential job leads.

Typically, two groups host events related to Hispanic Heritage month:  Student organizations and Professional organizations.  Let's look at each and the job seeking opportunities they offer.

Student organizations focus on social events to attract new members.  On occasion they will invite a speaker to campus.  I remember listening to actress and director Rosie Pérez give an impassioned talk at Babson College a few years back. In these types of events, your goal as a job seeker is to meet and build a network of peers and, perhaps, college professors and advisers who may share your area of interest.  Another way to participate is to practice your leadership, organizing and event management skills by volunteering to help the planning committee.

Professional organizations offer a different experience.  They usually attract sponsors (read companies looking to hire) and openly promote sharing resumes and business cards.  This type of event is the optimal venue to find job leads.  A job seeker would benefit the most by learning in advance what companies will be attending in order to research them ahead of time.  Networking skills that go beyond exchanging information will be the most effective.  For instance, you could ask the company representative for an informational interview or ask him about his experience with the organization.  Volunteering is also another tactic that will give  you an insiders view and possibly catch the eye of recruiter.

Hispanic Heritage month places the spotlight on Latinos.  Organizations interested in learning about Hispanics--or Latinos--will make themselves available through sponsorships and hosting events.  What a better forum for you to showcase your talents, skills and experience!

If you liked this post, you might like:

The 411 on informational interviews
The benefits of joining professional organizations

Latina empowerment and development (LEAD) conference at Harvard College

The fourth annual LEAD Conference unfolded without a hitch.  Neither the cold nor the icy conditions stopped participants from attending this past Saturday morning.  They came from as far as California and New York to get inspiration from successful Latinas, to learn outside the classroom, and to network with others who want to make a difference. 

LEAD 2011 committee.  Photo credit:  Vanessa Monterosa

The conference was organized by Latinas Unidas at Harvard College, a student group founded in 1991.    True to the acronym that defines their name, the committee worked with a graduate student advisor—a first for the group—to be strategic about the organization and implementation of the conference.  “My experience with these wonderful young ladies has been nothing but rewarding:  They are bright, intelligent, dependable, and proactive,” said Vanessa Monterosa, the graduate student advisor who is currently pursuing a degree in Technology in Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed panel discussions and workshops ranging from resume, cover letter and interviewing tips to conversations about improving the number of Latinos attending and graduating from college.  Marcela Garcia, the editor from El Planeta newspaper, keynoted the event.

Two themes captured the essence of the 2011 LEAD Conference:

Perseverance.  In one form or another, panelists and workshop facilitators stressed the importance of being focused and staying the course.  “When you see an opportunity, grab it and stick with it,” advised Yvonne Garcia, Director of Segment Marketing at Liberty Mutual and National Vice President of ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting).

Pay it forward.  During the session Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders, Dr. Paz Olivérez, Founder and Director of Futuros, a California-based organization that promotes and improves college access for low income and immigrant students, reminded the audience of the responsibility of giving back.  “Having a college education is a privilege that not everyone has,” she added.  “And with privilege comes the responsibility to support the efforts of those who want to attend college but face obstacles.”

If you liked this post, you might also like:

Flip the script

Have you tried writing down your goals this year?

Proactive career management 101

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Management guru Peter F. Drucker.

            Although Drucker’s words are over a decade old, they still ring true in many ways.  For instance, preventive health care aims to foster healthy eating and stress reduction habits to decrease the likelihood of future illness.  Financial literacy workshops look to arm adults with tools to make sound, long-term financial decisions that will generate wealth and economic security.  Through these efforts,  we attempt to create a healthier and more secure financial future for ourselves.

            Why, then, can’t we do the same for our professional future?

            You may be saying, ‘I’m already doing that. I am looking for internships and visiting the Career Center often.’ If you are taking steps towards your career, congratulations!  Every step taken in the right direction is a victory.  However, what I am proposing to you is to lay a foundation that will allow you to start building and managing your career during--not after-- your college years.  The goal is to become deliberate and conscious about shaping the future of your professional life.  Here are four initial steps to proactively start managing your career:

• Have strategic and tactical goals.  Strategic goals are those that have long term impact and create significant change.  Tactical goals are those that are generally short term and aim to solve a specific issue.  A strategic career goal could be to choose a major.  A tactical goal is to learn how to write effective cover letters.
• Understand and accept that YOU are in charge of your career.  Yes, your family may be helping you pay for college and the career counselor may be guiding through the process.  Ultimately, the decision of what path to pursue rests with you.  You are the chief executive officer (CEO) of your professional life.
• Start to narrow down your career options.  Choose two to four career paths, industries or companies that are attractive to you.  Having only a few will allow you to focus all your energy and time on learning all you can about them.  You can then decide if they are the right fit for you.  By the way, this step is a strategic goal.
• Be clear about your skills, traits and abilities.  The more you know about yourself, the better equipped you will be to build on what you have and improve and develop what you want to change.  There are tests you can take to identify specific traits.  Your career center office can guide you with this step.

            As the CEO of your career, are you ready to make an executive decision and take charge of your professional life?

If you liked this post, you may want to read:

Summer Internships

Social Media for Career Development