La aBLOGada

"It's really sad... I was trained by the most knowledgeable instructors in the field and graduated from undergrad with honors only to be making less than $10,000 a year," said a recent college graduate. "Even high school aged kids make more money in a part-time JOB."

Illinois unemployment rate hovers at 7.3 percent, while the national rate is stagnant at 6.7 percent. A store manager searching vigorously for a JOB (not a new career opportunity) after being unjustly fired by an employer looking to cut corners and save money by eliminating qualified workers, won't find a job at the end of the unemployment line.

Two of my close friends were laid off from their jobs a week before Christmas, and aside from the steady paycheck, they also lost their sense of pride and self-worth.

The unemployment office is the first line of recourse, but many job-seekers trading in early work-outs to stand in the unemployment line are finding out that the cost of living is unmatched by the total amount printed on the unemployment check or added to a government issued debit card. Mortgages, car loans, credit cards debts, and daily amenities seem to be considered commodities by the government.

So, what do you do, if being experienced in your line of work and dedicated as well as qualified isn't enough to guarantee you your JOB? You, NETWORK.

The word work is embedded in NETWORK because it takes a lot of energy to meet the right people, convince them of your expertise, and motivate them to consider you an asset and give you the name and contact information of a potential employer.

How many of you have spent about half an hour to an hour uploading your resume and cover letter on a job site search engine and actually GOT A JOB?

In this stressful and grim economic climate, it's wise to INVEST, what you do have, TIME, in doing something that has proven to produce benefits.

So, take of the pajamas, and forget about the macaroni and cheese dinners, and dress to impress at events related to your field or interests.

Chances are you'll meet the 'right' people to link you with that desired employment opportunity.

But, you should still be prepared to back up your verbal resume with a printed copy and real references.

Being at the 'right place' surrounded by the 'right people' still won't guarantee that you will make that connection.

What are some NETWORKING techniques that have worked for you?

Here's what I hate to see people do at networking events.

1. Pop out their business cards two minutes into conversation with someone. (Geez, at least act like your interested in the casual conversation)

2. What I call "THE BUBBLEBEE." Job-seekers that hover from one group of people to another, but don't stay involved in a conversation long enough to make a lasting impression.

3. Please don't get labeled "THE OBVIOUS ONE." Everyone is usually looking for potential opportunities, but attempt to mask the desperation. 

4. People who don't have opinions, and agree with everyone, hoping that someone will agree with them and like them enough to give them a chance.

5. People that get drunk at networking events. This is where you should nurse your drinks. 

Share your knowledge. Add on to the list by commenting.

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Have you drafted your New Year's Resolution list? If not, then 'procrastinating less' should be at the top of your '09 list.

A New Year's Resolution list says a lot about you as a person, an employee, a son or daughter, girlfriend or boyfriend, husband or wife, father or mother.

You're basically scribbling down things that you were too lazy or too busy to accomplish in the previous year, ambitions or goals that are a  part your life plan, indulgences or things that you'd like to have in your possession,  reflections of YOUR-SELF or aspects of your BODY, IMAGE, and PERSONALITY that you'd like to improve, perfect, or tweak.

On the various lists that I've had the nerve to sneak a peek, (people are so protective of their lists) one or two of the numbers on the lists are about RELATIONSHIPS, whether it's how do I get out of one without hurting the other person or, more like without feeling guilt; or convincing someone of wanting to be invested in a relationship.

Yes, we've all done it- it goes something like this:

5. Flirt more at outings. 

 6. Don't be afraid to go up to a woman and be rejected.

 7. Tell 'so and so' 'I like you'.

Relationships are what I often refer to as the "OTHER Full-time J-O-B."

Men are always scratching their heads, and saying things like, "I don't get her," followed by "But, she didn't tell me" or the infamous, "I can't read her mind."

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When you google the phrase "marriage rates," the results weren't what I expected. Statistics about how many people get married in Las Vegas were abundant, but barely nothing about marriage rates among Latinos. But, when I punched in the word divorce. Well, then. To summarize,

"The number of weddings held in 2006 was the smallest since 1895, when the population was little more than half its present level."

The number of Latinos getting married is also diminishing, but the unmarried Latino birthrate in the United States is increasing faster than among other groups.

What happened to tradition? Latinos aren't getting married, but they are having babies. What type of families are these? Are Latino relationships being affected by the American culture?

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  LATINOS STOPPED GAY WEDDINGS WITH THEIR VOTE!

THE POWER OF THE VOTE became apparent for the estimated 3 million gay or lesbian people living in the United States in committed relationships in the same residence, according to a survey conducted by the Human Rights Campaign.  

In Illinois, most of our ballots asked you to punch or touch "YES" or "NO" on convening a convention to revise the Illinois Constitution, but in states like California,  Florida, and Arizona, the ballots asked citizens to decide whether or not same-sex marriages where considered legal.

Indeed, the PEOPLE VOTED NO on same-sex marriages.

LATINOS in these 3 states ALSO VOTED 'NO'- More than 50 % of Latino voters, who made up almost 20 percent of voters who came out to vote, supported the ban on gay marriage.

The number of Latino gays in Latin America and in the United States is increasing, but the community apparently refuses to accept this growing culture.

Why do Latinos refuse to endorse same-sex marriages? Does the MACHISTA culture continue to prevail and guide the decisions made by Latino voters?

Or do Latinos have a tendency to condemn the gay community because they are homophobic?

What's even odder, is that if more Latino youth came out to vote, did these Latino youth also vote against gay marriages? After all, ones vote is confidential, and no one really has to know how you really feel. ARE THERE CLOSET LATINO YOUTH THAT ARE OPPOSED TO GAY MARRIAGES?

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There's racism and sexism, and even nativism, but what do you call it when you feel discriminated against by native Spanish speakers for having a slight accent when you speak in Spanish?

The definition of the word accent is the unique speech patterns, inflections, choice of words, etc., that identify a particular individual. Tell me, where does it say the STUPID choice of words or the INAPPROPRIATE speech patterns. No where!!!!!

I'm not deaf or ignorant, but sometimes, I'd like to ignore the comments uttered by people who speak "better Spanish" and feel the urge to tell me, or laugh in my face, if I hesitate to say a word in Spanish, couldn't find the word in my head and choose, yes choose, to say it in English to complete my thoughts. DOES THAT MAKE ME LESS LATINA?  I choose to express myself in two languages as opposed to just one, just like those NATIVE speakers who use the slang and the dialect of their native towns in their home countries to speak amongst their friends and family members.

There's a difference between using SLANG to express yourself and not knowing Spanish at all. But to be constantly ridiculed because of the way a word in Spanish sounded when it came out of my mouth, even if it was pronounced the right way and used in the correct tense and content, is discrimination.

Are NATIVE Spanish speakers smarter and superior than people who have had to learn the language, while living in a country where Spanish is considered a "second language?"

Language is representative of our culture, and if more than 60 % of Latinos living in the U.S. where born in the U.S., there's no doubt that just like the culture of their parents is being modified, the language will undoubtedly change as well. Can we preserve the Spanish of our parents, when, there's too was affected by a variety of factors, like where they lived and what socioeconomic status they identified with in their native country.

NO ONE SPEAKS PERFECT SPANISH.

In that case, what is Chido,  Que Onda or Que Tranza, Vale, Va que va, Orale, Neta?

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