Career Strategies for Diverse Special Populations
Identity Development
These are some ideas that can be discussed with diverse special populations when job searching. One of the main issues that diverse special populations face relates to their identity and their decision of disclosing this information during their job search. As counselors we may want to assess where is the student in his/her identity development process.
Some reasons people choose to NOT disclose their identity during a job search
§ The fear of harassment (either physical or emotional)
§ Fear of the effect of disclosure may have on hiring, personnel, and advancement (glass ceiling issues)
§ Fear of alienation, isolation, and rejection
§ Fear of being perceived as different from the majority culture or of being perceived as the same as every member of a minority culture
§ Fear of the invasion of privacy
Some reasons people choose to disclose their ethnicity during a job search
§ Individual mental health reasons ~ full integration of identity with ethnicity
§ Personal reasons (e.g. integrity, honesty, recognition and support from peers of who one is as a person)
§ Professional, political, and societal reasons (e.g. provide role model for other diverse people, desensitize co-workers, eliminate stereotyping)
§ Practical reasons (e.g. benefits, professional development, career fulfillment)
Identifying Companies that are Culturally Sensitive
Some diverse special population may want to identify culturally sensitive companies to apply to.
How can you tell if a company is culturally sensitive?
§ Search for employee photographs, they can give a good indication not only of a company’s diversity, but also of its promotion practices.
§ Employ the “six degrees of separation” strategy. See if you know someone who knows someone who works for the company in question. Get the inside scoop on company politics.
§ Do your homework; look carefully over the company’s literature.
§ If very concerned, expand your research to include possible EEO (Equal Employment Opportunities) lawsuits pending against the company. You may search a legal database such as Lexis or Westlaw.
§ Learn about their non-discrimination policy (e.g. move in vs. move up policy).
§ Become aware of the company-wide education to raise awareness of diversity issues.
§ Research professional development and training opportunities.
§ Become acquainted with equitable benefits programming and pay equity.
§ Gain knowledge of employee resources and the existence of support or mentoring groups.
§ Study how much demonstration or public support to diversity issues the company has in the community.
§ Find out if the company fosters a safe work environment.
§ Gain a sense of how rigid the institution may be towards the balance of family and work.
Resume tips
1. Identifying Information - This first section of your resume should tell who you are and help prospective employers reach you quickly. Next to your name you may want to write (U.S Citizen or Authorized to work in the U.S, if this is the case)
Ana Flores (U.S. Citizen)
(614) 555-1212
2. Relevant Experience- If the student has served in a leadership position within a diverse ethnic student organization and wants to incorporate it without disclosing specific ethnic identity.
Secretary, CSU Diversity Organization June 20XX – Present
Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado
§ Record all minutes during executive and full-body membership meetings
§ Facilitate informative discussions regarding diversity resources and organizations among current and prospective CSU students
§ Motivate groups of students and parents while giving information about CSU resources and services that celebrate individual differences
§ Represent CSU at various undergraduate admission, alumni, and presidential functions
§ Learn leadership skills such as an understanding of group dynamics, public relations, and oral speaking skills
3. Additional Skills – This section may identify cultural strengths as skills to offer (great to include in cover letter)
Foreign Language, proficient in Spanish - oral, reading, and written
Computer Skills, MAC platforms, software, and programming
Adaptability Skills, very flexible and can adapt to different diverse environments
Teamwork and Research skills, have participated in numerous research projects in the OSU Latino Studies Department
Interviewing Tips
Assess during the interview your possible future work environment, you may want to ask:
§ Why do you like working here?
§ What type of support services are available for families?
§ How important a role does teamwork play in your company?
§ What opportunities for advancement exist in your company?
§ What makes people want to stay here?
§ How open are managers/supervisors to different viewpoints?
It is acceptable to ask:
§ How many minorities are in positions of authority?
§ Does your company offer a mentoring program?
Overcoming Barriers to Employment
Barriers to Employment – before the interview
Name on resume (race or ethnicity)
Address (stereotypes about people from certain areas of town)
Education (reputation of school, cost of school, type of degree)
Type of experience (blue collar, low-paying, all part-time)
Dates of education/experience (age)
Community/Campus activities (could reveal religious affiliation, sexual orientation, disability, single parent, etc.)
Background check (could reveal felonies, incarceration, substance addiction, domestic violence, etc.)
Language barrier (grammatical errors on resume)
Barriers to Employment – during the interview
Race or ethnicity
Religion
Health problems or disability (mental or physical)
Gender
Age
Height
Weight
Marital status
Plans for having children
How to overcome these barriers – focus on strengths while addressing barriers
1. Identify all barriers to employment that you struggle with
2. Prioritize which barriers hold you back the most (based on your perception and the potential employer’s perception – what is the employer really worried about?)
3. Are there resources to overcome or manage the barriers? (ex. childcare, transportation, job accommodations, advocacy organizations, need computer skills)
4. Address the employer’s concern
5. Identify your selling points to the employer and turn your barriers into strengths
A. Focus on the technical skills you have for the job
B. Focus on the transferable skills you have for the job
· Teamwork
· Adaptability/Flexibility
· Customer Focused
· Planning and Organizing
· Creative Thinking
· Problem Solving and Decision Making
· Ability to analyze situations
C. Focus on the natural inherent strengths and personality traits you have for the job
· Integrity
· Professionalism
· Initiative
· Dependability and reliability
· Willingness to learn
· Patience
· Independent
D. Focus on the personal and professional goals that will motivate you on the job
http://jfs.ohio.gov/owf/prc/guidance/prc50a.pdf
http://www.ncsl.org/Default.aspx?TabId=1334