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Inclusion: Jobseekers Can Stand Out By Change Of Name

This is Black History Month on the calendar, yet I like to think of this as “Diversity and Inclusion Month.” Because it is the “…content of character…” that is most relevant today, and not by name or label, or change of ethnic name, but by character.

Diversity and inclusion is a fight that is as real as the “Thrilla in Manila.” In the “land of the free…” more than a few Americans are still slave to indifference to ethnic names. There are employers that respond indifferently to non-traditional names, and still slight candidates as a result.

I have addressed this before,

I have a diverse set of clients in the past three years who came to me because their strategies were not working. Out of the changes we made to their resume and interview style, we used two simple strategies to apply for jobs and on his or her resume:

Modify the name on the resume (ex. from “Latoya” to “Lynn”, “Miguel” to “Michael”)

Remove the address and zip (area can determine culture or color)

Remove social, political, or service organizations that traditionally are one race

Any cultural identifiable associations with sports (once remove a client’s college tournament “Sweet 16” appearance)

Race Matters in Hiring, No Matter How Nice The Cheshire Cat Grins, posted December 5.

Discrimination is still an issue, if not for color, gender, religion, body weight, affiliation, or stereotype, you have been a victim of profiling of some kind. If diversity isn’t enough, the real challenge is with inclusion.

In an article from Time magazine in 1960, Miriam Makeba, a world-renowned African singer was asked to give her real and full name.

Zenzile Makeba Qgwashu Nguvama Yiketheli Nxgowa Bantana Balomzi Xa Ufun Ubajabulisa Ubaphekcli Mbiza Yotshwala Sithi Xa Saku Qgiba Ukutja Sithathe Izitsha Sizi Kkabe Singama Lawu Singama Qgwashu Singama Nqamla Nqgithi.

http://ideas.time.com/letters/whats-in-a-name/?iid=op-category-notable#ixzz1kiDIyeJe

Originally printed February 29, 1960, Time Magazine

That is 189 characters, and thirty names.

Can you imagine announcing her at the beginning of a concert performance? If you were an employer, would you disqualify this person based on her name?

Now back to changing ethnic names. After five years, people reject Barack Obama’s citizenship based on name despite his the proof of his authentic Birth Certificate. It’s a shame. After four years, there are people who are convinced that his birth certificate is a lie because of his name.

Here are some take-a-ways that I hope everyone remembers:

1. Your name does not brand you

Regardless of your name accomplishments, contributions, and solutions brand you. If changing your name will help, then change it.

2. Take pride in your name, and take greater pride in what you offer

The more you understand the value of what you fix, the better you can position your career to employers. It’s not a quadratic formula, it’s addition and subtraction. It is just getting complicated by the order of operation.

3. Don’t be afraid to modify, adjust, and re-position how you appear to employers

Although not everyone has to change, but if you want to change your name or brand, is to take control of your online presence. I have several suggestions:

I have a friend who successfully change her ethnic first name and use her second name, also used in her online profiles and family. I suggest Google Plus as a way for job seekers to get their name out in the Googlesphere to be found by recruiters and potential employers. Google Plus content on profiles index are expedited, and can crush your competition if prominent enough.
Network with your new name and brand as if it has always been. Remain consistent in all communication, and let others know how to find you, and what you offer. Even when you re-label skills, it should be clear that the function is the same but the name is different.
There’s nothing with changing your Twitter, Facebook, and Linked In accounts too. Tell your family and friends ahead of time why you are changing your name. It will make sense to them if you tell them the story.

Do you have a story of ethnic challenges? Please share of how you have overcome, or still dealing with race and diversity. What obstacles did you leap over to get hired?

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by Mark Anthony Dyson

Career Advice I Will Not Follow From Observing Politicians

Politics is an inflammatory subject that people take personally. But more often than not, politics is the lot for career advice. Americans in general take criticism of their favorite candidate seriously. I watch the debates, speeches, and commentaries and as it has reinforced what not to do in the job search. One thing that stands out to me is that you can turn people on and off without having a conversation.

Networking: Your hands say what your mouth won’t make clear

Despite what we believe on the political elections, we learned this week that your hands speak a language of its own, and those excluded from the conversation will interpret it any way we want. Hand gestures are easy to mis-interpret, thus terminating your employment candidacy. Hand gestures are not wrong, but undisciplined movement can fail efforts to communicate well. An article in Forbes in 2006 confirms,

“Use hand gestures for emphasis…”

and that,

“You’re not a cheerleader, and you don’t want to fidget unconsciously. This is why it’s important to practice before a mirror.”

The startling image of Jan Brewer pointing at President Obama thrilled some, and angered others, depending who you champion. If no one has coached your hand gestures through Toastmasters or Theater, then you may not know what non-verbal messages you’re sending. If second and third interviews are rare, consider getting some coaching, especially if your hand movements are family entertainment.

Interviews: Mean what you say, and show what you mean

The whole tax return controversy with Gingrich and Romney is a great lesson in sending clear messages. If what you show people is different from what you said, it is hard to retain credibility (assuming you earned it to begin with). This is a common issue with job seekers who are able to get interviews, but no call backs. A frequent anomaly is stating on your résumé a certain type of experience, but unclear in displaying through accomplishments and results the skills needed to perform the job.

It shows up in your writing, too. You are just the last one to know.

Job search: The first candidate is not always the best job candidate

CNN reported right after the South Carolina Republican primary, that Romney had spent over million dollars in Florida primary ads before the other candidates spent money. We don’t know the outcome of the Florida primary, and neither do you when you race to be the first to apply for job. When employers announce an opening, most job seekers race to apply. That is old thinking as employers have many choices, and will wait until they have a pool of candidates. For me to say that this is recent is wrong because it has been that way for years. That is why, you apply when you have established and determined that the package you offer is your best.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Job Search Hints—MLK’s Letter From A Birmingham Jail

America is still deciphering and contemplating Dr. Martin Luther King’s message in 2012, or at least looking to understand it. If the only message you gleaned out of it was that black people demanded equality, then please, revisit the link below. There’s grit in the job search. I’m hoping you will glean it from his letter.

A Letter From A Birmingham Jail by Dr. Martin Luther King

Dr. King’s ability to communicate across the color lines is a model for all of us. I look at Dr. King’s letter from the Birmingham jail with awe, and admiration—eloquence, courage, and vision. This was an answer to eight white clergymen who wrote, “A Call to Unity” to temper and to stop the protest portions of Dr. King’s appeal, largely because the result of the marches ended with violence. His ability to communicate and respond with poise and persuasion captures the strands of my intellect and emotions. From this, I was able to extract some points of my own, applicable to the job hunt, or anything else:

Answer questions with tact, and without airing frustration

By addressing all questions asked, you earn attention and respect. Dr. King answered every issue addressed in the letter (keep in mind this was the only draft he wrote). It frustrates most people, and it drains the answerer’s credibility. This is the hardest for most people, that is, asking an unanswered question several times. It is more of an indictment when he or she passively refuses to answer a direct question.

Make the best of having less

Dr. King wrote the letter on the margins of newspaper, scraps of paper, and eventually a pad that his lawyers were permitted to leave him (the letter was smuggled out of jail). Unlike today’s culture, he did not curse, did not sarcastically engage in name calling, or retaliation of any type. He did not retaliate with inappropriate sarcasm. His letter to me was grammatically perfect, eloquent, factual, and honest. He used facts. We may not have the best of every skill, but we should bring the best to the fore front of every opportunity. The facts. It is not bragging when it’s the facts. It’s persuasion, a lost art that has lost its essence. Check the grammar once more, examine your heart once more, and find your reason to remain resilient until you succeed.

Understand the unsolicited arguments of why you can’t

I don’t know why there are people who open doubt others wish for change other than jealousy, lack of faith, or the willingness to understand. We can look at Dr. King as he was told to stop marching, protesting, and being indifferent to injustice. In essence, he was told by his fellow clergymen give being abused for freedom. His fellow ministers plead, ”

… we are now confronted by a series of demonstrations by some of our Negro citizens, directed and led in part by outsiders. We recognize the natural impatience of people who feel that their hopes are slow in being realized. But we are convinced that these demonstrations are unwise and untimely. We agree rather with certain local Negro leadership which has called for honest and open negotiation in our area.

http://www.stanford.edu/group/King//frequentdocs/clergy.pdf

Dr. King answered this statement with understanding of his peers,

Perhaps it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say, “Wait.” But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim; when you have seen hate filled policemen curse, kick and even kill your black brothers and sisters;

http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html

There are time people will question your abilities, will, or lack of demonstration to succeed. You can only answer and validate your desire is by success. Until then, embrace those who question out of love and concern. If he or she fits that category, embrace them, because they will appreciate you more when you succeed, and will tell you the truth when you get off track.

Convinced of why he must

Dr. King prepared everyone for the worse. As I would say, jobseekers would need to prepare for the worse from a place that will prepare for success. And, the worse does not have to be you. But I digress. Dr. King thought carefully how to endure physical, mental, and verbal abuse and wondered how others with him will respond.

We had no alternative except to prepare for direct action, whereby we would present our very bodies as a means of laying our case before the conscience of the local and the national community. Mindful of the difficulties involved, we decided to undertake a process of self purification. We began a series of workshops on nonviolence, and we repeatedly asked ourselves: “Are you able to accept blows without retaliating?” “Are you able to endure the ordeal of jail?”

http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html

Are you prepared for the hardest part of your search? Is it the training? Is it your background? Do you fear failing? Unfortunately, job seekers look to careers that are easier to obtain, achieve, and train. Is it really a satisfying and fulfilling if it’s easy?

I grew in Harlem and Washington Heights, parts of New York that were high in crime, but abundantly rich in diversity and culture. I lived in the Bridge Apartments where Haitians, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans Jews, Greeks, Blacks, and Whites lived peacefully, well, at least most of the time.

My second through sixth grade classes also had a diverse mix of students. My friend Miguel and I went to the same church. My friend Derek and his Mom bought me homework when I was sick. When my Stepmother told me that there was a distinct difference between black and white people was when I first noticed who Derek and Miguel were…my friends.

I regret looking at the world in black and white, and times I suffered when racial indifference were obstacles. I am glad that someone told me that there were obstacles to hurdle, sidestep, and avoid. And no one said it was easy.