Career Resolutions Latino Professionals Can Keep In 2007

By Murray A. Mann and Rose Mary Bombela-Tobias
Co-authors, Barron's The Complete Job Search Guide for Latinos
www.JobSearchGuideforLatinos.com

For Immediate Release (for those who have not figured it out yet): 2007 has been designated the Year of the Latino Professional. Prominent players that contributed to this selection include:

• Employers that must be competitive locally and/or globally and have set significant goals for Latino recruitment, retention, and upward mobility.
• Colleges and Universities that are evolving programs to address the needs of Latino students, alumni, and the companies that employ us.
• Mainstream and Latino Professional Organizations for launching more major initiatives to improve our professional growth and career advancement.
• YOU who is dedicated to your professional evolution.

In the spirit of the New Year and the Year (decade or millennium) Latino Professional, we encourage you make career resolutions that are a combination of those that challenge you to grow, some that are easily achievable, and an anti-resolution or two. Successful resolutions are founded in results-driven S.M.A.R.T. goals which are:

Specific

Measurable

Action Oriented

Realistic

Time-Constrained

The 2007 Resolution that will Rock Your World: MY CAREER IS JOB #1

This is a big, life-changing resolution. It requires that you take an active role in your career awareness on a day-to-day basis. When the "career management mentality" becomes second nature to you, you'll not only achieve your goals but will become a better, more effective and more valuable asset to your employers.

To develop S.M.A.R.T. goals and make your career a priority:

• Internalize the mantra "tu eres el arquitecto de tu propio destino - you are the master of your own destiny." Read Twelve Characteristics of Latino Career Success and iHispano.com's other job search and career management articles.
• Take a project management approach to your career and adopt the mindset that YOU are the client or assignment. Write out your plan, assess your options, analyze your resources, and focus on activities that will help you achieve your goals.
• Define career success on your own terms.
• "Envision" your career -- one, five, ten, and 20 years out. Visualize in detail the work you do, your physical surroundings, the people in your professional circle, and the feelings you have at this stage of your career.

To be successful in your career, you must be willing to invest in yourself and take a proactive approach to career development and management. Like anything that is worthwhile, it will take action, persistence, and time. The steps to achieving your MY CAREER IS JOB #1 resolution will be discussed in detail in our next article.

Easy Resolutions that Latino Professionals Can Keep

Put the following items on your "to do" list:

• Read iHispano newsletters when they arrive.
• Explore iHispano.com and Latino professional or student organization websites to identify professional development / career management programs, services, resources, job postings, scholarships, member benefits, chapter activities, and networking opportunities. Check back frequently to see what is new.
• Download the resume development and interview worksheets from the websites. Keep your resume current for employment, internal promotion, internship, or volunteer opportunities.
• Post your resume on iHispano.com. Refresh or update your resume once per month.
• Participate in at least one professional organization activity. Volunteer if you can.
• Reach out to find or become a mentor.
• Save the dates of career events posted on the iHispano.com's Calendar of Events.

Career Resolutions that have Worked for Other Latino Professionals

Want to take your career to the next level? Consider these:

• Create a career portfolio (physical and / or electronic) to record contributions, special projects, and career accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem.
• Evolve your personal career brand every day. Your daily "to do" list should include an activity that builds or reinforces your professional reputation. For example, it might be the way you greet your colleagues, the manner in which you execute a major project, or the fact that you followed up with an important contact.
• Communicate with at least one older and one newer person in your network each week. Rekindle relationships with people from your past. Commit yourself to expanding your personal network of career contacts. At the very least, your name will stay on their radar. Staying in touch can be as simple as wishing someone a happy new year or sending a birthday card.
• Begin or expand your "Career Board of Directors". Studies show that mentors, coaches, champions, experts, and colleagues are vital to your professional advancement. Read up on how to make the most of mentor-mentee relationships: The Critical Role of Mentors in Latino Career Success and My Career Mentor Checklist.
• Join your company's Latino or diversity employee resource group or affinity group. These in-house networks can help you adeptly navigate the workplace culture. To learn more, read: Hispanic Employee Networks / Affinity Groups.
• Give back to the community. Helping Latino colleagues or those coming up behind you opens up even more opportunities for other Latinos. Giving back adds to your own value and helps build your personal career brand.

The Anti-Resolutions

It is also time to resolve to not do some things that could inadvertently damage your career:

• Do not post anything inappropriate on the internet. The life of information online is far-reaching, uncontrollable, and often searched for by recruiters and employers. Be careful what you write or post in emails, blogs, forums, personal websites, and social networks such as Linkedin, Facebook, and MySpace.
• Do not engage in embarrassing public behaviors that can damage your professional reputation and personal career brand. You can have fun, but avoid overindulging or saying something regrettable at the office holiday party, career conference networking events, or other functions where employers or recruiters are in attendance. As the dicho goes – "Honra y dinero se ganan despacio y se pierden ligero - Reputation and money are hard to earn and easy to lose."

Feliz Año Nuevo – Murray and Rose Mary

¡BUENA SUERTE!
©2007 All Rights Reserved