Hispanic Enterprise - June/July 2008 - (Page 51)

Special Advertising Feature Network, network, network Both corporate and government minority recruiters rely on partnerships with Latino organizations and colleges that qualify as Hispanic-serving institutions (those with at least 25 percent of its student body identifying as Latino) to broaden their recruiting efforts, so make sure to explore the career opportunities offered through your college or alma mater. In addition, don’t underestimate or overlook the opportunities that will open up just by networking among other professionals. A good word by a trusted and respected community or business leader will open more doors than the best-written résumé. “In addition to our traditional efforts like online job postings, career fairs, internships, and programs with college campuses, we have strong partnerships with national organizations that allow us to promote State Farm’s career opportunities,” says Rich García, Enterprise Recruiting & Retention Director for State Farm Insurance Companies®, merce, as well as career and recruitment fairs. Seek out and, if necessary, initiate a mentoring relationship. If a career in the U.S. government is something you are considering (more on that later), LULAC (LULAC.org), the largest and oldest Hispanic organization in the country, runs an annual training institute to encourage Hispanic federal job seekers. The options are many. The key is involvement. Get your face and your name out there, and you increase your chances of moving up to a place where your talents and abilities will make an impact—in the ofﬁce, in your community, and on your wallet. That sentiment is echoed by Sprint Nextel’s Suzanne Driscoll, although she adds that “in some speciﬁc positions, being able to speak the Spanish language is a requirement in order to serve our Spanish-speaking customers.” To that end, make sure you understand—and emphasize—how your cultural knowledge and language abilities can be best used in your new position. Ask whether the position involves dealing directly with clients who prefer to speak in Spanish, whether you will be developing strategies to reach the Hispanic market or working to expand company operations in Latin America. Then make sure your Spanish is up to par: Even if you speak ﬂuently at home, consider taking a course in business Spanish. Your Hispanic heritage is an asset in today’s multicultural world. Make it work for you. “At 21.9 million strong, Hispanics make up 14% of the U.S. labor force.” —Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2007 who counts Latino groups like NSHMBA, NCLR, USHCC, NHLI, USHLI and NHCC among State Farm’s partners. “Another great source of recruiting efforts is referrals from our employees and agents,” he adds. But these individuals need to know you, your achievements and your potential. If you haven’t already done so, start attending the conferences and workshops held by major Hispanic organizations and chambers of com- Clinching the interview But don’t assume that your Hispanic heritage alone will automatically get you in the door. “We seek the same qualiﬁcations and qualities in our Latino applicants as we do with all other applicants,” says State Farm’s Rich García. “Knowledge, skills and abilities are consideration factors in the hiring process. We hire the best qualiﬁed candidate.” “Knowledge, skills and abilities are consideration factors. We hire the best qualiﬁed candidate.” —Rich García, Director, Enterprise Recruiting & Retention for State Farm

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Hispanic Enterprise - June/July 2008

Hispanic Enterprise - June/July 2008 Contents Briefcase: BIZBUZZ: Business Briefs Briefcase: Dynamic Trends Briefcase: Q&A Briefcase: Trendsetters BizLife: BizTech BizLife: Travel Feature: Target: Hispanics Cover Story: A Legend in His Own Time Feature: Top 25 Franchises Success & Motivation: The Talent Scout Education: Success by Degrees Finance & Investing: A Tough Sell Social Events: Emerge Dallas Politics & Government: The Accidental Americans Managing: Deconstructing Networking

Hispanic Enterprise - June/July 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.