July 4, 2009 is also Career Independence Day
Posted on July 3, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized, Multicultural Career Management, Murray A. Mann, Murray Mann, Rose Mary Bombela-Tobias
in·de·pend·ence (noun) - freedom from control from others or events, self-determination . . .
con·trol (transitive verb) – mange, exert power . . .
pow·er (noun) - capacity to do something, strength, control and influence . . .
During our uncertain economic climate, too many people feel that the recession has seized their career self-determination. However, we hold these truths to be self-evident:
Yasmin Davidds, international best-selling author and empowerment specialist, often expresses the following quotation in her presentations:
“Personal power comes from within and when you embrace it, you feel as though there is nothing in the world that you cannot handle. It helps you recognize that everything in your life is a choice, and it reinforces the truth that you have complete control over each and every one of those choices. While we may not have control over the events that occur in our lives, we have control over how we react to these events. You, alone, are in control of your destiny.”
How does this apply to your career? As we stated in our post Twelve Characteristics of Multicultural Career Success:
• Trust that you are the most important person in your career.
• Embrace your personal power to fuel your career power.
• Learn to leverage your cultural assets and transform any self-limiting cultural programming into career power centers.
• Activate your career power so you can be proactive in your job search, manage the process and to respond well, rather than react, to the events you cannot control.
Diversity Intelligence provides with tools and resources to help you to exercise your career power from job search through advancement.
Declare your independence today: “I Control My Career Destiny”
Posted by Murray A. Mann and Rose Mary Bombela-Tobias
Principals, Global Diversity Solutions Group, LLC
Authors, Barron’s The Complete Job Search Guide for Latinos
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Twelve Characteristics of Multicultural Career Success
Posted on July 3, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized, Personal Branding, Multicultural Career Management, Corporate Employee Resource Groups, Hispanics, Disability, Mentors, Career Board Of Directors, Blacks, African-Americans, Women, Murray A. Mann, Murray Mann, Rose Mary Bombela-Tobias, Latinos, age, Asian Americans, LGBT, GLBT
In the course of writing our books and columns, we have interviewed multicultural professionals from all walks of life and asked for opinions on a variety of topics, including the characteristics needed for success. We compiled their answers, added our own experiences, and identified twelve factors for a successful career — a career that positively coexists with a fulfilled life, uses your talents and skills to their full potential, and maximizes your opportunities and growth.
You are the Architect of Your Own Destiny
• Life and career success can only be defined by you for you.
• Taking the time to develop your definition of success is essential to achieving career satisfaction.
The following are twelve characteristics you can master to achieve career success: Read more
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Multicultural Professional Associations Can Advance Your Job Search and Career Management
Posted on June 12, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized, Diversity and Inclusion, Multicultural Career Management, Diversity Recruitment, Hispanics, Disability, Blacks, African-Americans, Women, Murray A. Mann, Murray Mann, Rose Mary Bombela-Tobias, Latinos, age, Professional Associations, Asian Americans, LGBT, GLBT, Job Search
Multicultural professional associations can play a pivotal role in maximizing career opportunities for minorities, women, people with disabilities, LGBT, immigrants and others with diverse backgrounds.
Many organizations offer a full range of services including career centers, job postings, conferences, professional development, mentoring, networking, professional and student chapters, scholarships, research, advocacy, profession-related programs, resources, local or online events and social functions. The associations often maintain strategic partnerships with employers that hire from their member’s specialized career fields.
You can also participate in the free multicultural groups on social networks, such as, LinkedIn, Facebook, AsianLife, A Mighty River, disaboom, iHispano, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, womenforhire, etc. In many cases, you do not have to be a member of the formal professional association to join. The groups provide a forum for networking and sourced by recruiters.
Below is a sampling of general and industry-specific professional associations, plus action steps you can take to maximize the organizations’ resources:
• 40 Plus
• Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA)
• Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA)
• immigrant Professionals of International Origin in the United States (iPIOUS)
• National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP)
• National Association of Female Executives (NAFE)
• National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO)
• National Black MBA Association (NBMBA)
• National Business & Disability Council (NBDC)
• National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA)
• National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH)
• Network of Indian Professionals (NetIP) – South Asian
• Women in Technology International (WITI)
Action Steps Read more
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Organization Profile: The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
Posted on June 8, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized, Personal Branding, Diversity and Inclusion, Multicultural Leadership, Multicultural Career Management, Diversity Recruitment, Mentors, Murray A. Mann, Murray Mann, Rose Mary Bombela-Tobias, military transition, Professional Associations
The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) was founded in 1977 by American Indian scientists, engineers and educators to increase substantially the representation of American Indian and Alaskan Natives in engineering, science and other related technology disciplines.
AISES builds partnerships with tribes, schools, non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and government agencies to support the programs and services listed below.
Mailing Address
AISES
P.O. Box 9828
Albuquerque, NM 87119-9828
Telephone
505.765.1052
Fax
505.765.560
Physical Street Address
(Priority Mail/FedEx/Overnight Mailing)
AISES
2305 Renard SE, Suite 200
Albuquerque, NM 87106
General inquiries
info@aises.org
aises.org
Programs and Services Read more
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Gay and Lesbian Pride Month - LGBT Career Management Resources
Posted on June 1, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized, Diversity and Inclusion, Multicultural Career Management, Diversity Recruitment, Murray A. Mann, Murray Mann, Rose Mary Bombela-Tobias, Professional Associations, LGBT, GLBT, Job Search
When President Clinton signed the executive order designating June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month he wrote “I hope that in this new millennium will continue to break down the walls of fear and prejudice and work to build a bridge to understanding and tolerance, until gays and lesbians are afforded the same rights and responsibilities as all Americans.”
Much has happened since June 2000. According the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) more than half of states and thousands of corporations have expanded protections and benefits for their LGBT employees including nearly 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies.
Below is a sampling of web resources including advocacy groups, best places to work, professional associations, job portals and books dedicated to helping gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals advance their careers and contributions in the workplace, as well as, educating employers and coworkers to create more inclusive workplaces. Read more
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Multicultural Best Practices for Career Management Professionals, Universities and Employers Webinar Series
Posted on May 8, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized, Multicultural Career Management, Murray A. Mann, Murray Mann, Rose Mary Bombela-Tobias
The sweeping demographic transformation in the nation’s workforce is creating unique opportunities and challenges for career management professionals, universities and employers.
Success is dependent upon evolving your cultural proficiency in serving the needs of your multicultural clients and employees.
To address these demands, <a href="http://www.globaldiversitysolutions.com/">Global Diversity Solutions Group, LLC</a> has partnered with <a href="http://www.careermanagementalliance.com/">Kennedy Information’s Career Management Alliance</a> and the <a href="http://www.nrwaweb.com/index.asp">National Resume Writers Association </a>to deliver a dynamic, cost-effective and content rich three-part webinar series. The program is based on highly rated workshops and full day professional development institutes delivered at major national organizations. You may choose to attend the complete series or the individual programs of your choice.
Each unique session delivers in depth coverage on the following topics:
May 15, 2009 3:00 p.m. ET/Noon PT <a href="http://www.careermanagementalliance.com/teleseminars.php#Mann-Bombela-Tobias">Leveraging Your Client’s Multicultural Advantage for Job Search Success </a>
June 5, 2009 1:00 p.m. ET/11 PT The <a href="http://www.thenrwa.com/Resume-Writers/Teleseminars.asp#Jun">Multicultural Resume™: Crafting and Marketing Interview-Generating Career Documents</a>
TBA <a href="http://www.diversityintelligence.com/wordpres">Best Practices for Coaching Multicultural Clients: Building Relationships for a Winning Dynamic</a>
<em>Note: If you are not able to attend any session, you can still register to access the archieved webinar and all handouts after 24 hours of the presentation date</em>. Read more
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Connect with Corporate Diversity Employee Networks to Improve Job Search and Career Success
Posted on May 1, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized, Multicultural Career Management, Corporate Employee Resource Groups, Hispanics, Disability, Blacks, African-Americans, Women, Murray A. Mann, Murray Mann, Latinos, age, Professional Associations, Asian Americans
Connecting with company-based Diversity and Multicultural Employee Networks (also called Affinity or Employee Resource Groups) is an important career management strategy. These are in-house organizations represent minorities, women, people with disabilities, GLBT or employee groups of other backgrounds and often receive formal corporate support for their activities.
Affinity groups play a key role in improving a company’s diversity competence. Most networks are active participants in the recruitment, development, and retention of multicultural employees. Many also serve as business-focused resource groups driving initiatives that increase the corporation’s competitive advantage.
These networks are growing rapidly throughout corporate America. Below are a few examples:
3M - Women’s Leadership Network
American Airlines – Native American Employee Resource Group
AT&T – HACEMOS (Latino)
JP Morgan Chase – Forty Plus and Employees With Experience
General Mills – Betty’s Family (GLBT)
Intel - Muslim Employee Group
Microsoft – Single Parents at Microsoft
SC Johnson – Abilities First (Employees with Disabilities)
Sodexo - African American Leadership Forum
Target – Asian American Business Council
For Multicultural Job Seekers Read more
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Asian Pacific American Heritage Month - Career Resources
Posted on May 1, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized, Multicultural Career Management, Murray A. Mann, Murray Mann, Rose Mary Bombela-Tobias, Professional Associations, Asian Americans
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) commemorates the contributions of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States. Below are several professional associations, web resources and books dedicated to helping Asian Americans advance their careers and contributions in the workplace.
Professional Associations
The largest organization, National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP), provides its members with the tools and resources to further career advancement and to empower Asian Americans to become great leaders, as well as, reliable employees. To find more about the NAAAP and other organizations, read Dan Woog’s article Top 16 Asian American Professional Groups.
Job Portals
There are niche career sites for Asian American that provide job postings, career management tools and resources needed to successfully navigate in U.S. workplace. A few of the more comprehensive portals are the Asian American Success Center, Asian American Village of IMDiversity.com, AsianLife.com and the NAAAP Career Center.
Books
Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: Career Strategies for Asians by Jane Hyun
Invitation to Lead: Guidance for Emerging Asian American Leaders by Paul Tokunaga
Posted by Murray A. Mann and Rose Mary Bombela-Tobias
Principals, Global Diversity Solutions Group
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Be The S.T.A.R. of Your Next Job Interview or Performance Review - Article and Worksheet
Posted on April 29, 2009 | Filed Under Diversity and Inclusion, Multicultural Career Management, Hispanics, Disability, Blacks, African-Americans, Native Americans, Women, Murray A. Mann, Murray Mann, Rose Mary Bombela-Tobias, Latinos, age, Resumes / Career Marketing Documents, Interviewing
For generations our families have passed on stories that teach us about our histories, cultures, values, and life-lessons. It is this powerful gift of story telling that our parents and grandparents bestowed on us that can make the difference in whether we succeed during our next job interview or performance review.
Susan Whitcomb, author of Interview Magic and 30-Day Job Promotion, explains that employers are looking for candidates who can do the job, will do the job, and fit into the corporate culture, thus adding value to the company. Value can be woven into your responses to virtually every interview question via story telling. This is your opportunity to author your own compelling answers.
Three methods of conveying value are:
1. Linking your past successes and future solutions to employer’s needs.
2. Demonstrating a return on investment (ROI).
3. Emphasizing the benefits (instead of the features) of your qualifications.
Many employers prefer that you deliver your responses via behavioral or competency based interviews that asks you to outline the given problem or challenge, explain how you handled it, and describe the results of your actions. Try using the S.T.A.R. story technique – Situation, Task, Action, Results when answering these questions.
A S.T.A.R. story will allow you to craft your responses with a targeted beginning, a brief explanatory middle, and a strong ending that provides the interviewer with details that demonstrate what you can do for them. Using this format allows you to neatly link your response to employer’s behavioral or competency question and focus the conversation on how you can do the job.
S.T.A.R. stories should be concise and compelling as outlined below.
SITUATION: Define the situation or “set the stage”:
Example: I was assigned as an account manager to take over an underperforming sales territory – #92 out of 100 districts.
TASK: Identify the key objective / task performed:
Example: Our goal was to increase sales 20% and boost customer base 10%.
ACTION: Describe the action you took or initiated. This response should illustrate the specific skills you used in completing the task.
Example: I (my team or the team that I lead)
1. Conducted a market analysis and customer service survey;
2. Identified untapped multicultural markets;
3. Developed a business plan that focused on value-added service, sales incentives, multicultural brand adoption and a referral bonus program to benefit customers;
4. Rolled out a 3-level marketing strategy to implement the plan.
RESULTS: Summarize the outcome.
1. Our district ranking improved to #9 in the region within a year;
2. Store sales increased 37%; net profit margin per sale improved 7%; and commercial customer base grew 18%.
3. My business plan was adapted for use by all account managers in the region.
4. Earned Account Manager of the Year Award.
We recommend that you prepare several S.T.A.R. stories to address various aspects of the position you are interviewing for. Your inventory of stories can represent everything from simple improvements to major achievements. They can represent individual successes or team contributions. In short, your S.T.A.R. stories will not only help you feel more confident and better prepared for interviews, but will improve your perceived value in the eyes of your potential and current employers.
A great source is Katherine Hansen’s, Tell Me About Yourself: Storytelling to Get Jobs and Propel Your Career. Dr. Hansen demonstrates how storytelling is also the key to excelling in other job search activities, such as writing resumes and cover letters, networking, creating portfolios, and developing you personal brand. She takes the reader through the steps for executing each of these crucial tasks impressively and successfully. The book also focuses on on-the-job storytelling that enables you to capitalize on opportunities to advance.
Below is a S.T.A.R Story Worksheet to assist you in building powerful responses to job interview and performance evaluation questions. Read more
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Organization Profile of the Week: Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA)
Posted on April 8, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized, Multicultural Leadersip, Diversity and Inclusion, Multicultural Career Management, Diversity Recruitment, Blacks, African-Americans, Murray A. Mann, Murray Mann, Rose Mary Bombela-Tobias, Professional Associations
Beginning today, Diversity Intelligence Blog will feature an Organization Profile of the Week to provide our readers with background and contact information on associations that provide career management services. Please submit your recommendations to us in the comments section.
The Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) is a global member focused organization of over 55 chapters throughout the United States serving thousands of IT professionals and students. BDPA is committed to excellence and providing a wide spectrum of resources to members, corporate sponsors, businesses, educational institutions and the community.
BDPA National Headquarters
9500 Arena Drive,
Suite 350
Largo
Maryland 20774
1-800-727-BDPA (2372)
info@bdpa.org
www.bdpa.org
BDPA Member Benefits - Programs - Services Read more
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