Landing a white-collar job in the U.S. is a dream for many people around the world. However, the ongoing inflation, soaring unemployment, and slow hiring make it seem like finding a needle in the haystack (encontrar una aguja en el pajar). As bitter as it is, this is a reality for many individuals.
It is especially harder for minorities due to discrimination. Roughly around 33% of Latinos say they have experienced discrimination during job hiring, due to their race.
However, that does not mean you should not be 100% prepared for a job interview (entrevista de trabajo). Here are some tips that can help you score a job, as a Hispanic, in the US.
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Physical Appearance Matters
No matter what the C-level executive says in a random YouTube short, the way you dress does matter when you are showing up for an interview. It might not have a direct effect, but first impressions matter, and your physical appearance adds a lot to that first impresión. If you show up dressed the part, not only will make you look professional, but it will help you stand out from other candidates.
So, don’t show up in unironed or casual clothes. You can also research the company culture beforehand and see what kind of dress code they have going on there. It can be business casual, business professional, casual, or smart casual. If you show up matching the company’s dress code, it is going to make it look like you are serious about the role and have researched the company.
Take a Course for Interview Prep
You must have come across this tip several times, but trust me, this is an underrated one. An online course or an interview training can help you in more ways than one. Not only will you get to know about the industry-specific commonly asked questions, but you will also get to know about insider tips and tricks from the experts. We are not talking about a generic interview prep course. We are talking about role-specific interview courses like, interview prep for a Dot Net Developer role or interview prep for a Project Manager role.
Platforms like Coursera and Udemy are filled with very helpful (útil) courses. Moreover, if you are going to access online resources for interview prep, a dependable internet connection is an important prerequisite. Cox is a great internet connection for providing seamless internet connectivity with minimal downtime. Plus, the customer service of Cox en Español is dedicated to providing 24/7 dedicated assistance to its Hispanic customers.
Research the Company Thoroughly
It is natural for everyone to prepare for the interview by learning or revising their skills. However, one question that can come your way is “What do you know about this organization?” which can throw you off guard if you are not prepared for it. A blank stare(mirada en blanco) in return to this question can make the interviewer think you are not serious about this role.
Therefore, it is always a good idea to go into the interview after researching about the company. This includes what the company does, its leadership, and even the interviewer. For this, you can visit the company website and its LinkedIn profile. In case there is a generation gap between you and the interviewer, it is a good idea to learn various communication gaps through which you can connect with the interviewer. These feats are bound to leave a lasting impression.
It is Important to Be Yourself
Most candidates are so daunted by job interviews that they end up learning the answers to common interview questions word by word. Especially if their first language is not English. This is something that is going to show no matter how much you prepare. To stop yourself from that, you need to practice portraying yourself with confidence.
You can do that by telling yourself that as much as you need the job, the company also needs you. Moreover, you can also remind yourself of your skills that will be valuable to the company. This way, you can feel confident in yourself and won’t feel shy while portraying yourself.
Prepare to Bust Some Stereotypes
If you are a Hispanic heading into a white-dominated corporate sector, you need to have a realistic approach. The chances of you getting interviewed by someone who believes in Hispanic and Latino stereotypes are pretty high. You might even face some unconscious bias as well. So, you need to go into the interview expecting then and being able to bust it right there and then.
For that, you first need to own your individual self and what you can bring to the table. Then you need to reiterate it to the interviewer in a confident manner. Make sure the bias does not fluster you. You need to appear calm and collected in order to do some damage. Just be mindful of being respectful and maintaining your dignity and credibility.
All in all, a job interview is a scary (aterradora) feat, but you can ace it if you are in there as a confident individual who has full faith in your skills. Just make sure you maintain a positive demeanor throughout, and you might be able to ace that interview.