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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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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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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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 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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Four things to do while looking for work

One of the hardest challenges for job seekers is to figure out what to do in between job interviews.  Waiting to hear from recruiters could turn into an excruciating experience that could fill you with frustration and anxiety.  What to do, then, in the meantime? After sending the customary thank-you letter, stay busy.  Below are four suggestions to remain occupied:

Schedule your daily activities.  There is nothing more demoralizing than waking up and having the feeling that you are not needed anywhere.  You can effectively manage your time regardless of your employment status. It's up to you to approach your job search as a job. Create your own activities and put together a schedule.  Block time for job searching, networking, do some physical activity and time to unwind and do something fun.  A little structure will help you stay motivated.

Learn something new.  Learning does not stop after graduation.  There are plenty of reputable, online resources available to expand your knowledge.  The OpenCourseWare Consortium is a community of of universities around the world that provide free university-level courses online.  There are thousands of options to choose from.  Another way to learn something new is to get in the habit of staying up to date on world and industry events.  Remaining current will give you plenty of fodder when engaging in conversation during an interview or networking.

Practice your networking skills weekly.  Networking is a strategic, systematic activity to build and cultivate relationships for mutual gain.  The key word here is mutual.  Inexperienced networkers meet people with the expectation of asking a favor.  This approach rarely works.  Effective networking takes time as both parties need to get to know each other and build trust.  Being in between jobs gives you the opportunity to attend events and start nurturing relationships that could become future job leads.

Journal and spot lessons learned.  Looking for work could become a draining activity that requires perseverance, confidence and resilience.  You are bound to feel the pressure mounting as times goes by.  Writing your feelings in a journal will provide you with a safe environment to be truthful to yourself.   Besides, having the opportunity to revisit your thoughts could give you a chance to reflect and to learn from the experience.

Despite of what others may think, being in transition does not mean you have no life.  It is all a matter of organizing your time, and finding activities that keep you focused and motivated.


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Make your summer count! 
A slow job market:  glass half full or half empty?

Congratulations new graduate: Karen Herrera-González!

Karen's determination carried her through her college years despite having the added responsibility of being a mom.  She completed a five-year program and graduated with a dual degree!

Graduation date: June 3, 2011
School:  University of Massachusetts Boston  Degree:  Bachelor of Arts and  Masters of Arts 

Major:  Social Psychology;  Applied Psychology.

Career aspirations: I would like to find a job where I can help the youth develop who they are academically, socially, and personally.  Many students that I've worked with in the past have no idea why they want to do after high school or or why they should go to college.  I would like to be an adviser or a mentor to high schools students or college students.  In the future, I would like to establish my own program that focuses on teen mothers and helping them succeed in college.

Current job: I am the financial manager for the Institute for Learning and Teaching (ILT) at University of Massachusetts Boston. My main responsibility is to communicate with all the programs that work with middle and high school Latino student under the ILT regarding their grants and administration of the programs.

Tips to get an internship or job:  Network! Network! Network! In order to land your dream job/internship, you have to get out of your comfort zone and sell yourself.  No one is going to notice you unless you put yourself out there.  Let your voice, talent, and abilities be heard!

Anything else you would like to share: Never give up! Many times life will throw obstacles in our path to test our abilities...what we're capable of.  Giving up is very easy but it is not rewarding in the end.  Instead, fight those obstacles because in the end it will feel great when you can finally say "Lo hice! I did it!"

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Where the the Latino role models?

Congratulations new graduate: Jesica Orozco!

A big shout out to Jesica who will be starting her new job on Monday May 23 with Catholic Family & Child Services in Yakima, WA as the ILS (Independent Living Skills) Trainer.  Best of luck!

Graduation date:  May 8, 2011
School:  Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA
Degree:  Bachelor of Science, Major:  Psychology
Main job responsibility:  Helping foster teens transition smoothly out of the foster program into independent life.
Tips to get an internship or a job:  Prior to receiving an opportunity for employment or an internship make sure to follow these tips:
1.Networking is essential. Introduce yourself to people who are in positions that you are interested in. You never know who may be the one to aid in the process of securing a placement.
2. Community Service is a great way to gain experience without having employment.
3. Utilize your career center. They have many programs you may not be aware of.
In an interview:
1. Be prepared! Makes sure to review the job or internship duties and think of instances in which you have performed those duties.
2. Dress in proper attire. First impressions are key. Smile and have a firm hand shake when introducing yourself.
3. Emphasize your skills and encorporate any accomplishments that are relevant to the job duties.
4. Be yourself. Be confident, you have many amazing skills to offer.
5. DO NOT lie. If you you come across a question you do not understand, ask the interviewer to clarify or simply state you are not experienced in that area, but would love the opportunity to learn.
5. Thank the interviewer when leaving and ask for a time frame in which you will hear a response. Follow up with a thank you note and reaffirm your interest in the agency.
Anything you want to share:
Never allow anyone to discourage you from your dreams. Nothing is easy, but with hard work and dedication you can achieve greatness. Be strong, stick through the tough times, but know when to ask for help. There are many people in the world who would love to help you succeed.  Always remember:  "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I'm Possible!" -Audrey Hepburn

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Letters of recommendation 201

In my previous post I explained how to go about choosing someone to write you a letter of recommendation.  But what about if the person you want to ask is not in your immediate network?  Don't panic.  Let this be a lesson about networking, which is an art you must develop in order to be a successful professional. Back to the topic. How do you convince someone who does not know you well to say to others that you will be a great employee?

If your target is one of your professors, then you have won have the battle. You are on his radar because of taking his class or working on a project but perhaps he doesn't know you well enough.  At this point, ask yourself why do you want this person to write you a recommendation. Is it because you are certain you will get an A in his course? Is it because he is influential in the industry of your interest? It will be crucial to have this clear when you approach him.

Then, find out from his assistants (yes, plural) about his schedule and workload.  This information will tell you how busy he is and when there might be a window for you to ask him.  If you need a letter of recommendation from any of your professors within the next couple of weeks, timing is not on your side.  Between finals and grading, this is the worst time to ask any professor to help you out.  So, be ready to expect a flat, "sorry, I can't."

However, your chances could greatly improve if you come prepared with a script and offer some options.  For example, you could start the conversation by saying:

"Hi professor X, I am Y from your Z class.  I was wondering since (here goes the reason why you want his recommendation) 'I enjoyed your class so much and did really well' or 'my main interest after college is physics and your last article in ABC blew my away,' if you could consider writing a letter of recommendation for me." 

You can add that you are applying for a position in a particular function and company. You must do your homework and make sure that there is a direct relation between the job you are applying and the person who is recommending.  For instance, if you are asking your accounting professor to vouch for you, the job you are interested in better be in accounting and not marketing!  This connection needs to be obvious to the professor, so he will be more inclined to make time for you.

If he says no out flat, ask him if timing is the issue.  If he says yes and that he is too busy right now, do not back away.  Ask when it would be a better time and offer some dates.  And make sure to make an appointment to see him when he says he will be available.

Lastly, always have a back up plan particularly if you are in the last stages of interviewing.  If your professors are all busy right now, touch base with counselors or previous supervisors.  Or find someone who is close to the professor who said no and ask them to help expedite your request.  When there is a will, there is a way, right?

Best of luck!

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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.”

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Have you tried writing down your goals this year?