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.

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Lessons from failure

A popular saying assures us that only two things are certain in life:  death and taxes.  There is a third:  failure.  We are bound to not achieve all of our goals on the first try.  Sometimes our failures are very public. Think the New England Patriots losing to the New York Giants.  Other times they are private.  Regardless of how we fail, the important question is:  What lessons can we learn from failure?

A couple come to mind:

Accept and acknowledge.  In order to move on and focus on other goals, it is important to accept that things did not work out and--most importantly--acknowledge the fact that you tried.  Acknowledging your efforts is key. We spend lots of time beating ourselves up for not winning and forget to remember what did right.  Stop the cycle of excessive self-criticism and identify small wins.  Did you secure an informal interview after several attempts?  Did the recruiter invite to another round of interviews?

Reflect and retool.  This approach is most useful when we know we will be trying again.  Being objective about what went wrong and could have been done differently.  What actions could you take to achieve different outcomes? Who could help get there?  Do I need more time to prepare?

Losing is not pretty.  No one is his right mind wants to be the one who did not get the job, was the runner up to a fellowship, or lost a second time to the same team (I feel you pain, Patriots!).  However, having the courage to see failure as a learning opportunity is what separate real winners from losers.

The 21st century workplace

The 21st century workplace is here.  It's technology driven.  It's global and multicultural.  It challenges old success and leadership paradigms that advocate for one winner and many losers. It requires excelling in three specific areas:  Innovation, Cultural Competency and Collaboration.

Being innovative can be as easy as finding the fastest way to complete a routine task to solving an intricate problem that has pestered employees for years.  The key element for anything to be considered innovative is the perception that it is different from what has been used or tried in the past.  In other words, the newness combined with the effectiveness of the idea is what makes it innovative.  Think the iPhone.

Being culturally competent can take several meanings.  The most popular description is the ability to interact and work effectively across cultures.  Then the question becomes: what is a culture?  Simply put, culture refers to the set of norms, values, beliefs and traditions followed by a group of people.  In this context, culture generally describes different ethnic communities (e.g. Latinos, Asians).  However, culture can also refer to other types of groupings:  small businesses, large corporations, start ups, government agencies, etc.  These organizations have a distinct set of values and ways of conducting business and making decisions that differentiate them from each other.

Being collaborative is a phrase that is thrown around a lot.  Collaboration is not easy.  It requires trust among team members and the willingness to support one another.  The traditional way of working and leading has been the total opposite.  So, this is the one trait that requires significant individual effort to start and group follow through for it to happen.

Some questions to ponder:

• Does my current professional experience show signs of these traits? How? What concrete examples can I offer a prospective employer?
• Which of the three is my dominant trait? Which would I like it to be?
• Whom do I know (personally or through the media) that embodies these traits?

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From dreaming to execution

As we wind down the celebrations for Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday, the one thought on my mind is his "I Have a Dream" speech.  These words have inspired many to dare to dream big.  I must confess I am a serial dreamer.  Where I encounter challenges at times is making a dream a reality.  Here is how I have made it work.  Ask yourself these questions:

• How does this dream fit with my goals? There was a time when my dream was to have a Caipirinha with New England Patriots Tom Brady and his wife supermodel Gisele Bündchen.  As fun as this dream was it really did not fit in with my goal of being an inspiring author and a leadership expert.  I guess I could have used the anecdote of meeting them in my talks, or use them as examples of leadership and empowerment, but meeting them did not add any value to my main goal other than give me personal satisfaction.  
• What does this dream mean?  In the Tom and Gisele example, I could speculate endlessly and arrive at many answers.  The one that resonated with me the most was the desire to have fun things happen in my life.  If I were to combine my dream of being an author and expert with the Tom and Gisele dream, I would come up with being an inspiring author while having fun at it.
• How does the end result look like? Once you have figured out that your dream makes sense and is in alignment with your goals, then start visualizing how it will look like when you get to the finish line.  Yes, we have discussed this technique before.  It works.  So, start backtracking every step from the end result (the realization of your dream!) to where you are now.  What are the steps necessary? Who do I need in my corner? What resources will I need? What is a realistic timeline?

Going from dreaming to execution requires a lot of thinking.  But at the end what will make your dreams become a reality are the steps that you take to get you there.

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Career trends in 2012

Two opposite trends will dominate the career landscape in 2012:  there will be a steady flow of jobs in traditionally recession-proof sectors such as education and health care, while jobs will also be found in self-made opportunities, also known as the gig economy.

It is no secret that the economy is on the mend.  Latest economic indicators are pointing towards a slow but steady recovery.  Key word here is slow.  What does this mean to those who are looking for work?  It means that there are no guarantees of landing a job in a shorter period of time than last year.  Your best bet is to anticipate what career trends are emerging or carrying over from last year and position yourself to seize opportunities presented by these trends.

One trend that has taken hold over the past few years is the gig model of work.  We all have had gigs in one form or another:  babysitting, waiting tables, or tutoring. This approach of hiring temporary help has migrated to the workplace.  According to The Atlantic, there are approximately 42 million Americans working as freelancers, consultants, independent contractors. This number does not only capture seasoned, experienced professionals.  Recent grads are also engaged in pursuing their own opportunities which includes starting their own business.

What to do as a job seeker under these circumstances?  Take a very good look at your current career goals, pick a side and give it a shot.  The career landscape is uncertain, but it also presents unexpected opportunities for those who are willing to proactively manage their careers.

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New year resolutions that stick

Not to burst your bubble but statistics do not lie:  the likelihood you will not accomplish your New Year resolutions are very high.  So, why do we go through the yearly ritual of listing what we want to do, share it with others and then do not follow through?

Because of two reasons: 1) we are creatures of habit; and 2) we overestimate our ability to change. 

Yes, we love to do what is familiar to us.  It makes us feel comfortable and in control.  So, if for the past several years we've been eating a whole bagel with cream cheese with a large coffee with 3 packets of sugar every morning and our resolution is to lose weight, it is going to be tough. Notice that I said tough not impossible.  This is where our belief that we can conquer and squash this eating habit kicks in.  We cannot accept that a bagel and cream cheese have such an influence over us.  We prefer to think that our will power can transform our eating habits just because we say so.

How can we increase the chance that we will accomplish our resolutions?  Let me offer a few suggestions.

• Become aware that what you are looking to achieve means changing your mindset and  lifestyle.  It is the same for those who are looking to lose weight, find a job, start a relationship. 
• Focus on one resolution at a time.  The greatest mistake most make is to write a list of many resolutions (i.e. swim with dolphins, do the Inca trail, save $500 a month, run the marathon) that are complex, require resources and focus, and at times, compete with each other.  How are you going to spend time swimming with dolphins, and do the Inca trail when you also want to save money?
• Enlist the help of others.  Find a friend, colleague that has similar goals so you can support each other.
• Visualize the outcome.  This is a popular method used by professional athletes and other high achieving performers.  Before you start, close your eyes and see yourself where you want to be.  See yourself 30 lbs thinner, or crossing the finish line of the marathon, or receiving confirmation of a job offer.  Spend time observing how this 'new' person is behaving, her posture, what she did the day before.  The idea is to backtrack from the day when the goal happens to where you are now and figure out the steps that got you there.

The most important piece of advice I can give you is to have fun during the journey.  Help yourself accomplish your goal one day at a time and you will get there!

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Holiday wishes...

Wishing you and yours a 

wonderful holiday season!

Let's enjoy a well deserved holiday and reflect on the year we leave behind and gear up for the year ahead of us.

To a happy and healthy 2012!!

NSHMBA Boston Gala: Embracing change, leveraging technology

On December 8, 2011, the Copley Marriott was buzzing with excitement for the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) Boston’s 9th Signature Gala. Every year the NSHMBA Boston hosts an event that celebrates the accomplishments of the chapter, its corporate partners, and members who are committed to accelerate the Latino initiative in education and career advancement. The result is always on target: people leave excited, inspired and filled with renewed energy to become a change agent in the Latino community and this year was no exception.

Boston Chapter President, Karina Arnaez’s opening remarks centered on one word: familia. Karina described NSHMBA as an organization that upholds the values of being a family unit. She said, "NSHMBA means different things to everyone, it depends where they are in their career progression.  The one constant is that we are a family and are here to support you and your career advancement." Mistress of Ceremony, Elisa Jaramillo, of Pegasystems, introduced keynote speaker Carlos Domínguez, Senior Vice President from Cisco Systems.

Domínguez presentation evoked humor, wonder and the realization that part of our success is directly correlated with embracing technology. He emphasized creativity as the number one desired skill in today’s work place.  He gave example after example of how pervasive technology has become in everyday living, from online dating to social media. His message was simple:  Folks who cannot embrace technology cannot lead.

Yvonne Martin, Carlos Domínguez, Armando Llorente and Karian Arnaez

Other highlights from the gala include awards given to several organizations and individuals for their advocacy and commitment to advancing Latino leadership through education:

• Corporate Award: Ocean Spray
• Non-Profit Award: Orale con Veronica
• Educational Institution Award: HULT International Business School
• Volunteer of the Year Award: Robert Aguirre (2010 NSHMBA Scholar at Harvard Business School)
• Champion Award: Brenda Ruiz, EMC
• Member of the Year Award: : Manuel Zapata (2010 NSHMBA Scholar at Boston University)
• Hayden Estrada Inspirational Leader Award: Armando Llorente

Before the evening came to a close attendees danced the night away with DJ Franklin Rosario.  Several looked at one another with delight and commented on the evening’s highlights. Among them was Armando Llorente, Vice President from Clark & Lavey Benefit Solutions, Inc. who said, “This year’s gala was a fabulous success, the group outdid itself!”
Evelyn Barahona contributed to this article.

Life lessons from Russell Simmons

Russell Simmons.  The name says it all. Social entrepreneur. Human rights activist. Best selling author. Mogul. His list of accomplishments and influence is so long, that at recent event hosted by Color Magazine in Boston, where Simmons was recognized, the Mistress of Ceremonies took a few extra breaths just to keep reading the introduction.

Simmons, a bit embarrassed and impatient to get on with business, smiled and humbly accepted the award. His speech was short, since he had previously had a conversation with Harvard Professor Charles Ogletree. 

Photo credit:  Color Magazine

During his talk with Dr. Ogletree, Simmons mostly explained the philosophy behind his book, "Superrich:  Inside and Out" came about.  But he emphasized the same key points:  get to know yourself, reach out to others and together improve your community.

To read an extensive interview with Russell Simmons, please click here.

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Holiday networking tips

As the holidays approach, what comes to mind? Presents, time off, or, perhaps, parties? How about networking? Networking?!

During the holiday season, our priorities tend to shift to taking time off, shopping or making travel plans. Others, looking for a job, consider postponing their search efforts until the beginning of the year when everyone is back in business mode.  Not so. Savvy networkers know that holiday gatherings provide a suitable environment to identify and engage in potential relationships. The plain fact that many professionals put their networking efforts on hold until after the holidays creates a prime opportunity to network. Simply put, there is less competition and more chances to get to know key people one on one.

Planes, Trains, Parties and the Food Pantry
A great number of people commute during the holidays. Planes, airports and other means of transportation are excellent places to engage in conversation and ‘practice' networking. Given the current wait time between check-in and boarding, travelers have a greater opportunity to make small talk that could lead to more meaningful conversation.

A second opportunity for holiday networking is the holiday party hosted by student or professional organizations.  For those looking for work, holiday events hosted by professional organizations provide an optimal environment to connect with those interested in your field. An added bonus: the holiday season is the one time when companies sponsoring professional organizations make a point to be visible.

A third --often overlooked place to network-- is through volunteer work. An overwhelming sense of generosity kicks in during the holidays. While delivering meals on Thanksgiving Day several years ago, my husband and I met a woman who lived in our town and worked for a company that I had targeted as a potential employer. She gave me some pointers regarding the organization, and I helped her connect with a town official whom I knew well and she was trying to reach. It was a win-win that resulted from casual conversation and common interest.

Holiday networking may seem an unorthodox way to connect with people and build relationships. However, if you follow the premise that networking is a lifelong skill and not a tactic to a short-term goal, you will uncover the secret that savvy networkers share: Networking does not take a holiday!

Writer's note:  Parts of this post we previously published in Color Magazine.

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Mejora tu empleo estas Navidades

Latino Leadership 2.0

There was lots of dancing and hugging--and occasionally--crying.  Other times there were discussions about the environment, art, life, and work, sprinkled with jokes and anecdotes about our Latino roots.  A support group? No. It was Juana Bordas' Latino Leadership retreat in the Colorado mountains.

I had the privilege to join eighteen mid career professionals from across the U.S. in early November and attend the eleventh annual  Latino Leadership Development Program (LLDP) created by Juana Bordas, author, social entrepreneur and the founder of Mestiza Leadership International. Each day started with some kind of awakening--physical or intellectual.  We stretched our limbs to the tune of an inspirational song while we also learned to engage each other. "Latinos are kinesthetic learners," Juana said while leading the morning stretch. "We learn by doing."

Photo credit:  Liz Treviño

The program combined assessment tools generally used in leadership programs--Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, FIRO-B Test, 360  Feedback and the Change Style Indicator--with sessions and group dynamics about leadership styles, decision making and  teamwork. The icing on the cake was the opportunity to openly discuss how our heritage and being Latino influence how we are as leaders.  During one session titled Latino Assets, the group reviewed a list of "dichos" or sayings in Spanish and discussed how these translate into cultural values that can then be applied to the workplace.  For instance, the saying "donde come uno comen dos" (loosely translated to "do more with less" or "there is always room for one more") speaks about the value of sharing which can be translated into inclusion at work.

Having studied and participated in many leadership programs, I was struck by how the retreat meticulously interwove the results from assessment tools, group exercises, sessions and personal anecdotes into one customized version of leadership. As days unfolded, the group started to craft a new and improved version of themselves as Latino leaders.  A version that includes community building, work and life balance, self care and honoring our Latino culture.

Juana explained the vision behind the program, "The LLDP integrates cultural assets with mainstream leadership practices and asserts that high potential Latinos have a competitive edge since they add value through their multicultural backgrounds. This is particularly important because of America's expanding diversity."

Genesse Park, Denver, CO. Site for one of the group exercises.

Photo credit:  Anna Giraldo-Kerr

Alicia Avila, Business Liaison at Denver International Airport, said of her experience,“ Managing and leading in today’s world of work demands that we stay innovative, current, and inspired. This Leadership training program is one that every Latino interested in leadership wisdom should take and then impart to every Latino colleague!"

And as if that was not enough, each participant had the opportunity to have an individual session with a professional coach.  A team of coaches descended on the third day and meet privately with each person to devise a personal and professional action plan.

The end result:  Re-energized and refocused professionals ready to make a greater contribution in the workplace and community while leveraging their Latino roots.  All while having gained a group of colleagues and friends for life.  Who knew Latino leadership programs could be so uplifting, empowering and-- most importantly--fun?

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To have or not to have a one-page biography

Most career counselors and coaches sing the praises of having a knock out resume. Consider having a bio. A biography that is.  Bios (the preferred term) can be as short as 150 words and as long as one page in length.  The idea is to capture the essence of your professional experience and milestones in one or two paragraphs.

How to get started?

• Learn from others.  Do a search of other people's bios to get ideas.  Bios are mostly used to describe background and expertise of speakers. Organizations use bios to highlight the professional experience of their leadership team. Industry and professional associations are good sources to find examples. Look at those in the line of work of your interest. After reading a few, you will notice a certain type of messaging that tends to emerge.  
• Expand on your elevator pitch.  Using your elevator pitch as a launching pad, you can add more detail to how you describe yourself (e.g. accomplishments, areas of interest, awards). Note that one key difference is that the elevator pitch is communicated in the first person ("I have 10 years of experience in financial services and ...").  Bios are written in third person ("Anna has ten years of professional experience in financial services and ...").  Another difference is that the elevator pitch is used in one on one situations when engaged in conversation.  The bio is used as a written tool in printed and digital channels to introduce someone to an audience.
• Have a template.  Once you have a general idea of what your bio will say--based on your elevator pitch--write a draft of what you would like to share. Start with a summary of your career highlighting industry and functions.  Continue with goals accomplished ("During her tenure as a hospital administrator, Anna facilitated a cross-functional team to address customer concerns.  Customer satisfaction increased 40% as a result of their efforts.").  Having a template will allow you the flexibility to update your bio as you acquire more experience.  

Are you too young to have a bio? Not really.  Anyone who is career minded can benefit from having a biography.  Having a resume is a great first step if you are in the job market.  Having a powerful elevator pitch will help you get noticed in networking situations.  But having a bio will add another dimension to your professional identity.  Give it a shot!

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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.

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Career lessons from the Occupy protests

Whether you are in favor or against the Occupy Wall Street protests, and its subsequent spin offs, one thing is clear to me as a career coach:  Those involved in organizing protests have two types of skills that have allowed the movement to endure and grow.   One is communication skills.  The other is teamwork.

Communication skills allow parties to interact, to send and to receive messages effectively. Occupiers--as they are referred to--have maximized the power of technology to disseminate their message, recruit volunteers and keep the media informed.  This skill also comes in handy when discussing issues with opponents or those eager to learn. Being able to describe their concerns in a clear, concise and engaging manner has helped them gain status as an emerging influencing voice for the American people.

Team work skills are mainly about working effectively with others towards a common goal. Occupiers provide a vivid example of some of the most common tasks handled by teams: Delegating duties, negotiating outcomes, and organizing resources.  The media reports that occupiers have been dutiful at operationalizing the different support systems they need to focus on their protests.  For instance, they have a current list of supplies on hand and have rotation schedules for cooking, cleaning and inventory management.

How do these apply to you and your career?

I am not asking you to join the occupiers.  That is a very personal decision.  What I would like to suggest is for you to reflect on your level of comfort and dexterity. In other words, how are your communications and team work skills?  You might say that you did enough of that already in college.  And I would say back that practice makes perfect.  Do you think that any major sports super star says "I am great already.  I am the best golfer, soccer player, swimmer, etc.  I don't need to practice?" Never!  The key from getting from good to excellent is to keep at it.

One last thing about excelling as a communicator and team player:  It applies to everyone and to every type of career.  These two skills are just as important to the college student studying biology, to the young graduate looking for work in psychology, or to the seasoned professional making deals in international finance.

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The ABC's of job fairs

Believe or not job fairs are still around.  They are the most effective vehicle for employers to maximize their recruitment dollars.  Aside from the usual advice about preparing for a job fair (i.e. bring lots of resumes, visit every booth, have a firm hand shake) here are three commonly suggested tips with a twist.

Attitude.  By attitude I am mainly talking about the way you carry yourself.  Yes, you are looking for work.  Yes, you are really hoping that this time you will get an interview that will lead to an offer. But do you have to look, sound and appear desperate? No! In addition to exuding confidence through your clothes, hair, and accessories, attitude is also about your posture and most importantly your disposition.  In other words, how are you enduring the constant selling of yourself?  Are you able to keep your head up high and continue to smile even if you keep hearing, thanks for no, thanks?

Bring extras. Here extras refer to materials that might differentiate you from the rest.  Do bring your resume as this is a requirement to get your foot in the door.  But how about having some other type of collateral to showcase your talent and skills? For example, in addition to getting business cards, you could have marketing brochures made.  If your area is writing or research, you could bring a list of documents and studies that you have produced.  I have even seen links of short videos added in resumes as a way to stand out from the crowd.

Communicate clearly.  That is, communicate your value clearly.  This is another way of saying have your elevator pitch ready. And by ready I don't mean to sound like a broken record.  Your pitch must come across as natural although you and I know that you have repeated it a dozen times in front of the mirror. And do not stop at the elevator pitch.  Be prepared to answer questions as a result of your pitch.

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Elevator pitch tips

You probably have heard it many times,"when looking for a job, you must have an elevator pitch." An elevator pitch or elevator speech-- for those who might need a refresher--is a summary of who you are and what you are looking for.  And although it comes in many flavors, an elevator pitch, for the purpose of this post, is aimed at showcasing you and your talents and experience as a potential employee.

The internet offers thousands of suggestions on how to develop and deliver an elevator pitch, so I won't repeat what it has already been said.  What I would do, though, is pinpoint a few obvious-- but often missed--tips about creating an effective elevator pitch.

Be Short.  Experts tell us that an elevator pitch should be about 60 seconds long.  Have you ever tried to speak non stop for a whole minute?  You can say a lot in a minute.  So, if the idea of doing a 60-second summary sounds intimidating, think in terms of sentences.  For example, let's start with six sentences.  The first two could introduce you (e.g. name, industry focus, major).  The next two could address your professional experience and interest (e.g. internships, previous work, accomplishments).  The last two could link your experience to the employer's current needs and suggest next steps (e.g. interview).

Be Clear.  Sometimes in trying to impress someone in the shortest amount of time, we  use fancy words that could become tongue twisters or make us sound fake.  Use common language.  Your goal is to help the listener understand who you are and what you can do for them.  Quantifying results is a always a winner (i.e. increased revenues by 30%, decreased expenses by 40%).

Be Sincere.  This is a tricky suggestion because the success of delivering a flawless elevator pitch relies on having spent time rehearsing.  Be aware.  I suggest to spend time rehearsing, but do not come across rehearsed.  You must sound sincere.  Rehearse to the point that you feel comfortable saying it to anyone in front of you.  But do not, please, do not rehearse it with the intent of memorizing every word.  If you forget one word and go blank, you are dead in the water.

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Managing your professional reputation

Managing your professional reputation

When you think of the word reputation, what comes to mind? Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines reputation as a "common opinion or quality as judged by people in general."  Note the definition suggests a neutral meaning of the word.  In other words, one can have a good or bad reputation.  And, according to the dictionary, it is up to other people to decide!

How is this possible?

If you are not convinced, think about times when you have heard others talk about a friend, former colleague, or professor.  "He was sooo confusing.  I bet nobody understands what he means not even at home." Or,"she comes across so well put together.  She is probably busy interviewing for jobs." The man in the example may be a brilliant person but the "common opinion" of those around him is negative. Meanwhile, the woman in the example may always be nervous but knows how to project confidence, so no one around her notices.

Yes, it is not fair.  And, as we know from other experiences, life in general is not fair. And, although others' perceptions are a big component of one's reputation, the rest of the equation is about our own actions.  So, the good news in terms of managing your professional reputation is that it can be done. The key word is: managing.

To help you get started, take a look at the two factors we just mentioned in more detail:

Actions you have control over. Here the word actions is used loosely to mean traits, behaviors, skills.  These are all self-generated outcomes created by you.  They could be as subtle as posture, demeanor, eye contact or as obvious as a tapping on the floor, a fishy handshake or an eloquent presentation.  Through practice and  discipline, you can get better at any of these.  Again, you and only you have control over them.

Actions you do not have control over.  This is where people's judgments come in.  It is important to remember that people's opinions are based in their own experiences, biases and filters.  So, the woman who looks polished and confident to some could be perceived as cocky and snobby to others.  There is no way of knowing how people will judge her.  All she can do is continue to be prepared.

In a nutshell:  You are not able to please everyone.  But you can manage your professional reputation by proactively focusing on the actions you can control and being consistent in the image you want to project.

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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!

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Life after 9/11

My 9/11 story starts with a lay off.  I was laid off on September 11, 2001.  The rumor mill had confirmed the date weeks ahead, so I was aware of my possible fate.  At the time, I was a Boston-based technology analyst following Internet and e-commerce trends.  The technology bubble had burst months before, so I was convinced that I would be one of the employees to lose my job that day, so I packed ahead.

The morning of 9/11 I felt a sense of anticipation as I waited for the Human Resources representative to show up in my office.  Instead, I started to receive phone calls from colleagues as far away as Denmark and Chile. "There has been a plane crash in New York City," one of them said.  "And the plane came from Boston."  

By the time the Human Resources manager stopped by to talk about my termination package, I was numb in disbelief about the attacks taking place in New York and Washington D.C.  I had worked at 2 World Trade Center years prior.  Downtown Manhattan was where I started my professional life.  First in Wall Street and later at the World Trade Center.  As I heard her list the different package options, my brain could not register the sounds she was making.  Who cared about a job?  My lay off became so insignificant.  I wanted the HR person to leave my office that second so I could call my former colleagues, friends, family.  All lived and worked in Manhattan.

The day after 9/11 was one of the hardest days I have ever lived.  At first, I thought I had a horrific nightmare.  But then reality set in and I felt paralyzing physical pain.  I wanted to stay under the blanket, but I was not sick.  My former city, New York, had been ripped open.  My old work neighborhood looked like a nuclear war zone.  The towers that greeted me every time I came back from a trip into JFK airport had been obliterated.

Then, all of the sudden, I remembered the images I saw on TV the night before of countless firefighters and first response personnel who kept on going despite feeling broken inside.  How in the world could I complain about my pain when others were suffering a million times more?  Their strength lifted me up and helped me understand the fragility of the world we live in.  It was the kick in the rear that I needed to gradually get back on my feet--physically and emotionally.

Over the years, remembering all of what transpired during and after 9/11--the unthinkable evil acts and the extraordinary acts of kindness and courage--has shaped how I make decisions in my personal and professional life.  When I am torn about an engagement that might comprise my values, I ask myself, "Would I be OK having this project mentioned in my obituary? How would I like to be remembered?  And if you think you are too young or too cool to have such sobering thoughts, remember 9/11 and the weeks, months and years after it.  It has been 10 years and it feels as it were yesterday...

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Making lemonade from lemons: the job seeker mantra

Lately, it seems that everything is conspiring to test our optimism.  First, there were several tremors felt across the United States and Latin America.  Then, Hurricane Irene caused havoc the Caribbean and along the East Coast, from Florida to New England. Telephone lines, internet and electric power were interrupted.  How can we focus on looking for work under these conditions?

I was one of those who was in a technology stand still.  We lost electricity for three days which meant I got behind  in my work and deadlines.  It took lots of will power to channel my frustration into some kind of productive outcome but somehow I got there.  Here are the steps that helped me.  They may help you.

• Go with the flow.  It is useless to get angry about an act of God.  Accepting that there are circumstances beyond our control, like the weather, diffuses the feeling of helplessness. 
• Refocus and re-prioritize. Once you have accepted your new, temporary reality, see what you can get done.  Could you go to the library to continue your online search?  
• Test your resourcefulness.  Make a game of finding solutions to the challenges in front of you. If you need to write a thank you letter, do it by hand until you can get to a computer. It is as simple as that.  You would be surprised to know how many people spend the day complaining about what's wrong and do not do anything about it.
• Acknowledge what is working.  The feeling of appreciation will put things in perspective.  Although our level of comfort was radically changed, it did not compare to what others went through.  And this applies to Irene or to being unemployed.  

Remember, there are always others who are better or worse than we.  Understanding this dynamic does not make us complacent.  It turns us into grateful, resourceful, creative individuals that can be productive under any circumstance.

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