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How Bilingual Talent [Spanish+ English] will change the way we do business

Bilingual [Spanish+ English] talent in today's employment market is today's valuable and strategic asset. Lets look at some of the numbers:

1. Fastest-growing segment in the U.S. [Latinos already are the nation's largest segment]
2. Fastest-growing language in the U.S. [500+ million people worldwide] and the fastest-growing language, after English.
3. Advertising revenues for Spanish-language stations and networks leading the charge. For instance, many of the nation's best-known consumer companies (ex. The Coca Cola Company, The Procter & Gamble Company) have for years started increasing commercials in Spanish
4. "Se habla español"

Growing number of organizations are nailing it down to a science . Organizations see the change in demographics and they are being proactive about it. They recruit bilingual talent that can meet the market demands and promote them to higher levels of responsibility. Take for instance, Seaside U.S. Bank (Oregon) who does understand these market changes and are fulfilling a need. According to the Daily Astorian 8/11/2008, Bilingual teller reaches out to customers, "increasing number of Spanish-speaking residents are flocking to use her [Montes] as a banking resource, trusting her to guide them through the American system." Montes started as a teller, and because of her hardwork, skills, and work ethics was promoted to oversee other tellers resulting in more customers being taken care of. So what is your organization doing to recruit bilingual talent, remain competitive and preparing communities for success? If we think about Number 1-4 and how this applies to building the next generation of workforce, it's something we think of as an investment. What's your take?

Three things to advance your career

First off, take control of your career by organizing your portfolio, and setting clear goals. Sounds simple? If you want to be a physical therapist, then seek out an informational interview w/ a local top health institution by referral or through networking. Have a subject-matter expert review your resume, and cover letter before proceeding. Even after the interview continue refining your quantitative and qualitative skills to ensure your sharp.

Secondly, ensure your name is in peoples mind. The adage 'out of site, out of mind' is quite relevant in today's fast-paced employment environment. A family member once remarked, "dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres" [tell me with whom you walk and I will tell you who you are]. Surround yourself w/ solid people and associates. If its the boss or close co-worker you trust and admire, then study him/her on what great qualities they have and seek self-improvement. Sometimes we learn more from the guy down the hallway w/ no title.

Finally, be aware of the trends. Remember the wise words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Big jobs usually go to the men who prove their ability to outgrow small ones." Whether its the local or business media, streamlined over the web, or blogs be attentive on your surroundings, demographic changes, downsizing, high-growth organizations and of course promotions/demotions. Our advice: seek more responsibility in the organization and surpass the expectations.

At BilingualHire, we're listening. What is your organization's challenges for recruiting bilingual [Spanish+ English] talent? What are you doing to prepare for the next career move?

-David

First Client of 2008. Linfield.

First client since returning from an 18 month deployment is The Linfield College, Portland Campus. Are you interested in recruiting and retaining Hispanic and other students from communities underrepresented in nursing through the development of support services and community partnerships? Enjoy working with students? Then consider the Director of Multicultural Programs opening w/ The Linfield College, Portland Campus. Be sure to review the requirements at: http://www.bilingualhireco.com.

Change is inevitable...

No doubt, this blog has been a long time coming. I'd like to first begin by sharing a recent interview conducted by Terra Magazine, an Oregon State University research publication on my wife, Edith. She was interviewed for her role in the recent ground-breaking report, One-and-a-Half Generation Mexican Youth in Oregon: Pursuing the Mobility Dream (PDF), by OSU Professors, Dr. Erlinda Gonzales-Berry, Dr. Marcela Mendoza, and Dr. Dwaine Plaza. She makes the unique statement of,

"...Mexican children who grow up in the U.S. have tremendous assets to make a difference in our communities.

Our experiences in and outside of the educational system equip us with the strength we will need as we move into

adulthood. We are more resilient than others and are fully bilingual and bicultural, which is important because

those skills allow us to be the link between mainstream culture and Mexican or Latino culture. We become

advocates of civil rights, education, health and environment..."

Precisely! While I can go on and on (and I can) about her story, please feel free to read it at your convenience. Enjoy the read!

Secondly, chnge is inevitable, and like the humurous insight provided in the popularly read, Who Moved My Cheese, let us not bunker down, let us not forget that everything is in constant motion. Since 2004, when we first launched the company, we have, like many other companies, "learned as we went." Obviously not highly recommended, but oftentimes our only option. Fortunately for us, we are just as excited and enthusiastic about the future as we were when we first began our operation from a small apartment living room with three notepads, and a used laptop in Beaverton. The laptop got the "blue screen of death" but two years later, the vision continues.

In late 2006, RED Consulting Group LLP moved to new heights with the launching of BilingualHire, Inc. From a mortar-and-brick agency in downtown Beaverton, Oregon to an emerging web 2.0, BilingualHire will more clearly, and more effectively serve our clients and candidates. Indeed, we are grateful to all the previous clients, and our engagements with forward-thinking organizations such as The Linfield College, Portland Campus-School of Nursing, Oregon State University, The Chalkboard Project, and The Oregon Association of Latino Administrators. All engagements that we are most proud of, work that is continuous, and their work highly important.

In 2007 RED Consulting Group LLP will morph into BilingualHire, Inc. an independent 2.0 recruitment company run by partners, Edith and David Molina. While virtual, we remain fully-committed to the customer service you have been accustomed to, both attentive, personal, and professional.

And while we have never lost sight or focus, we remain consistent and committed to our founding principle: to provide for the economic and social wellbeing, from advancing leadership and diversity, to the ways in which we give back to society.

Please respond and contribute to my personal blog called the RED Report and engage us on any topic related to recruitment and diversity, as well as cultural/language acquisition. Again, we hope you'll find our blog informative, insightful and one that meets your needs. We welcome your comments, thoughts and insight.

Sincerely,
David Molina
C0-Founder