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The start of the new year is traditionally a good time for hiring. Yes, this means that job seekers should refine their résumés. But your C.V. is just one of multiple ways job seekers should market themselves. I can think of 10 more off the bat.

I know what you’re thinking: 10 tools, in addition to a resume, sounds like a lot of work. However, many of these build on each other and support the answer to “Why should an employer hire you?” And that’s a question job seekers must answer confidently and convincingly. Here are the 10 things you’ve got to work on to help propel your search... READ MORE AT TIME.COM

Since 1980, the percentage of Americans who claim Hispanic heritage has grown from 6% to 17%. By 2040, Latinos will constitute roughly 24% of the population.

Many Democrats no doubt see President Obama’s executive actions on immigration as a step not only to address legitimate human needs, but their own political future. But perhaps a more important question is how these new Americans will fare economically.

We decided to look into which of America’s 52 largest metropolitan areas present Hispanics with the best opportunities. We weighed these metropolitan statistical areas by three factors — homeownership, entrepreneurship, as measured by the self-employment rate, and median household income — that we believe are indicators of middle-class success. READ MORE AT FORBES

Illinois governor Bruce Rauner has selected Hugo Chaviano, 62, to be the Director of the Illinois Department of Labor. Chaviano brings more than 35 years of legal experience to the job, including work as a mediator and arbitrator.

Chaviano is currently a senior partner for Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman, LLP, where he works on litigation cases in a number of areas including employment, contracts, transportation and torts. These cases have appeared before state and federal courts, regulatory agencies, and in arbitration and mediation. READ MORE AT THE ILLINOIS OBSERVER

Ruby Polanco, the Honduras-born founder of Ruby Makeup Academy, based in Temple City, California, came to America like hundreds of thousands of other immigrants--she was brought here as a child. "The transition from Honduras was very scary," says Polanco, who was just 12 years old when she arrived in the U.S. almost three decades ago. With her mother and two brothers, Polanco lived in Los Angeles, in a 300-square-foot apartment with no kitchen. School, she says, was "very hard on kids who didn't speak English." And the convoluted process of obtaining green cards--particularly challenging for immigrants from Central America--added to the family's sense of insecurity. At 17, Polanco was a pregnant high school dropout, married to a man she'd divorce a year later. READ MORE AT INC.

8 things your family should know in case of an emergency

Your own death or emergency situation isn’t the easiest thing to prepare for, but every mom should be prepared, especially if she’s parenting alone as a single mom.

Too often, we hide our fears and feelings so we can appear strong. We push aside that morbid question: What if something happened to me? What would my family do? Would they know what I want, what my children’s needs are, or even where the keys for my second car are located?

Two of my sons are already adults, but we haven’t talked about my wishes or about who can help them in the event that something should happen to me. READ MORE AT MOM.ME

Despite challenges, a top education group said the national data on Latino students is encouraging and shows solid growth.

"The conversation about Latinos and education is often very deficit-based, where we're English language learners, we're high school dropouts, and we're illegal immigrants," Deborah Santiago, vice president at Excelencia in Education and author of a new report, told NBC News. "While we still have to address those important issues in our country, the profile of Latinos is one of asset opportunities, growth, improvement and education potential."

The report, "The Condition of Latinos in Education: 2015 Factbook," released by Excelencia in Education, paints a more accurate profile of Latino students, one spotlighting achievement and countering misperceptions and myths. READ MORE AT NBC NEWS

For the first time ever in the Chicago area, the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) headquartered here is launching a leadership and entrepreneurial comprehensive training program for Latina business owners.

Focused on four key areas – leadership, mentoring, volunteerism and strategic business planning – the Latina Entrepreneurial Accelerated Development (LEAD) Program kicks off February 11 with a three-day opening retreat to build peer-to-peer connections and set the stage for the 12-month program.

“We have had a Latina Business Program for over a decade, and now we’re shifting the focus to provide relevant and targeted programming in a closed group setting to established business owners poised for growth,” says WBDC President and CEO Emilia DiMenco.

Structured in three phases – planning, activation and assessment – the program will provide participants with connections to non-profit and Latino business leaders in the Chicagoland area to further their community commitment and business development.

Participation is limited to 25 Latina business owners headquartered in Illinois who have at least two employees and have been in operation for two years or more. Funded through Discover Financial and UPS, the program will be offered two to three times throughout 2015. Additional dates to be announced online.

The statistics support the WBDC’s efforts to implement this unique training program.  According to an American Express OPEN report issued in 2014, firms owned by Latina women number an estimated 1,033,100, employing 433,600 workers, and generate an estimated $71.1 billion in revenue. In Illinois, there are an estimated 23,900 Latina-owned firms generating $1.7 billion in revenues.

To learn more about the LEAD program, visit www.WBDC.org or contact the WBDC at 312.853.3477.

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The popular image of the entrepreneur as highly independent and self-reliant has been romanticised to the point where you could be forgiven for thinking of them as a type of superhuman. The problem with this generalisation, however, is that most of them are just ordinary people with a big idea, and the notion that they never turn to others for help and reassurance is simply not the case.

While an independent spirit, confidence and a thick skin are essential components of any successful entrepreneur, having the humility to recognise when you need help and looking to your peers for support can be equally important for any small business owner. Failure to recognise this could be damaging to your business, your health and even your personal relationships. READ MORE AT THE GUARDIAN

About an hour south of Silicon Valley in a classroom at Hartnell Community College, Daniel Diaz and Brian De Anda stand at a whiteboard mapping out ideas on how to reduce the size of a mobile app their team is building.
This isn't a class, and the app they're building an informational guide for a drug rehab center isn't even a school project. But this is what it takes to have a chance at an elite summer internship, says Daniel Diaz.

"What you are taught at school is not enough," Diaz says, "especially in today's competitive society. I think you need to do some more outside learning."

So these students are working on other apps, doing hackathons and learning additional programming languages outside of class. They're doing it because there's a thought perhaps a reality that hangs over them: They're underdogs. READ MORE AT GPB NEWS

Eighteen years is a classic indicator of validity in America. It's a rite of passage into adulthood, marking a new level of freedom and influence in our society.

So when one million Hispanics are projected to turn 18 in this year, that's a critical mass - at a critical age - that should not be overlooked. Their influence will transcend all aspects of American life, across culture, business and politics.

Culture
Hispanic Millennials are natural trendsetters and early adopters across American culture. From Jennifer Lopez and Sofia Vergera, to Pit Bull and Selena Gomez, Hispanic celebrities are mainstream American icons that transcend race to set the tone for our cultural preferences. In the case of Hispanic Millennials, this celebrity heavily impacts their personal preferences, as they over-index for direct contact with authors, artists and brands through social media. READ MORE AT HUFFINGTON POST

If you've been waiting for the economy to improve before switching jobs, you may be feeling that now is a good time to make the leap. Last week I provided counsel for reviewing that decision, to ensure you're not leaving a job that can be improved.

This week I'll continue the theme, with tips for conducting a job hunt while you're still employed. But first, let me address a myth I frequently hear, that employers prefer to hire someone who is currently employed.

To be honest, I simply haven't seen this borne out in practice. The fact is, both job searching and staffing are complex projects that don't pair neatly with simplistic axioms. READ MORE AT TWIN CITIES PIONEER PRESS

Hispanics work harder to secure their financial futures, compared to the general population, according to a MassMutual survey.

Hispanics are more invested in their financial future compared to the general population, with 61% leaving the well-being of their finances up to chance, versus 65% of the general population. The survey from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company revealed that 42% of Hispanics are likely to carefully research and plan every detail of their retirement, and 38% are likely to work at their retirement plan until they believe it is perfect.

“It shows that Hispanics are invested in their future,” says Chris Mendoza, vice president, multicultural market development at MassMutual. “They recognize the many facets of financial security – value planning and research – more than the general population. They are closing the gap, but still need knowledgeable guidance to help ensure financial stability and informed decision-making.” READ MORE AT PLANSPONSOR

There comes a time when the word "minority" loses its context, where one group surpasses its status in population and influence, crossing over into a new mainstream community of Americans.

When I first arrived in Silicon Valley to work for Apple in the 1980s, I felt like a minority. I entered a world with circles of influence that looked and felt foreign to me.

When it came time to start my own technology company, I didn't choose Silicon Valley. I chose Miami, because of its rich Hispanic heritage and opportunity for growing a Hispanic-owned business. READ MORE AT USA TODAY

U.S. Hispanic consumers continue to grow in numbers. And as predicted, they aren’t shy about flexing their spending muscle. One group in particular, Affluent Hispanics, whose earnings top $100K+ per year, are really tipping the scale. While they currently only represent about 12.2% of Hispanic earners, they punch above their weight as compared to non-Hispanic Affluents when it comes to contributing to overall spending. READ MORE AT MEDIAPOST

9 New Year's Resolutions every Marketer targeting the Hispanic population should make. As compiled by Portada's Editorial Team. 9 key themes brand marketers should take into account to propel their Hispanic Marketing forward in 2015.

1. Be aware that Immigration Reform substantially increases your Market

President Obama's executive order late last year, de facto increased the documented Hispanic population in the U.S. by almost 5 million consumers. Over the last few years, The Hispanic population grew mainly by birth, making the composition of the market more bilingual and English-dominant. However, most of the Hispanics who now will become legal through Obama's executive orders are Spanish-dominant. READ MORE AT PORTADA

Read bios of Feature Guests for the Professionals in STEM Networking Forum, Wednesday January 14 at Vertigo Sky Lounge Chicago.

Moderator

Maricela Vazquez, Meteorologist, Telemundo Chicago

Maricela joined the Telemundo Team in January 2011; she is the first and only Spanish speaking Latina Meteorologist in Chicago Spanish Media. Ms. Vazquez is a member of the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association, two of the most recognized organizations for weather.

Maricela is an Emmy Award winner; has a passion for news, a passion for her work and a passion for education. You will often see Maricela in classrooms while visiting schools, giving workshops and meeting the community. She is a role model for young Latinas and an advocate for education.

Discussion Panelists

Federico Conde, Senior Director, Global IT & Supply Chain Solutions, Kellogg Company

Federico “Fede” Conde is Senior Director of Global Supply Chain Solutions for the Kellogg Company.  Born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico, Fede began his Kellogg career in Mexico in 1995 and was transferred to Battle Creek in 1998.  He has since held several roles in the US, Latin America, Australia, and Europe as Project Manager, Enterprise Architect, Business Partner, and Program Director.

He is a past co-chair and advisor to HOLA! -- Kellogg’s Latino Employee resource group in Chicago and leads Information Technology’s “Recruit the Best” team.

Prior to Kellogg’s, Fede worked for Procter and Gamble. Fede is a certified engineer with a degree in Computer Science from the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores (ITSM) in Monterrey, Mexico and holds a Certification in Production and Inventory Management from the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS).  He acts as Vice-President of Membership for APICS Southwest Michigan Chapter.

Juliana Ceja, Business Analyst & IT Development, Rewards Network

With a passion for Agile development methodologies, solid knowledge of software development, IT project management skills and Business Analysis background, Juliana Ceja is a Business Analyst for Rewards Network Technology Development team. Juliana also serves as an Agile Coach for Rewards Network, where she assists with the implementation of Agile development practices and company-wide training.

 Prior to Rewards Network, Juliana worked at Coyote Logistics where she began in Operations and seized the opportunity to work with the company’s Technology department. At Coyote Logistics, she began as a Business Analyst for the Senior Development team and later went on to become the IT Project Manager.   She worked to bridge the PMO and development teams.   Juliana currently attends DePaul’s School of New Learning with focus in Computer Science.

Beimar Iriarte, Senior Statistician, R & D, Quality Engineering, Abbott Diagnostics

Beimar Iriarte is a Senior Statistician at Abbott Laboratories, Diagnostics Division. He provides statistical consulting to design, analysis, and review of studies for the evaluation of the analytical and clinical performance of diagnostic tests in analyzers used in clinical laboratories. Having first obtained his degree in Biochemistry, Beimar began his career as a laboratory scientist developing diagnostic tests for fertility, pregnancy and infectious diseases.

Beimar obtained his MS degree in Biochemistry from Illinois Institute of Technology and MS in Statistics from De Paul University, and currently continuing his studies in pursuit PhD in Biostatistics. He is chair and contributing member in committees in the IVD industry for the development of standards for the evaluation of laboratory methods: Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute, International System Organization.

Beimar has presented and chaired scientific sessions at conferences through the American Statistical Association and Federal Food and Drug Administration. He leads Science education after-school programs with elementary and high schools students. He enjoys travelling, practicing, teaching, and learning foreign languages.

Mahrinah Von Schlegel, Business Development & Strategy Director, Earlybird MVP

Mahrinah  is an Entrepreneur, Anthropologist, and Ecosystem Builder who has been in the digital startup space since 2001, developed nearly $1B in real estate, and founded an incubator in the City of Chicago.  She received her BA from the University of Pennsylvania and MBA from the Wharton School of Business. She is currently Director of Business Development and Strategy at EarlybirdMVP and Executive Director of Embassy2.0.

Mike Salazar, President, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Chicago Chapter

Mike Salazar is first generation Mexican and a native of Pilsen, Chicago. He became an engineer and president of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) because of his passion for sciences and STEM fields. Mike has a bachelors and masters degree in Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and has worked as a plant engineer for Tyson Foods for the past two years.

Mike has been the president of SHPE Chicago chapter for the past 5 years and has increased the membership base by 100%. SHPE Chicago is currently the third largest chapter in the nation. 

Mike has received numerous awards, including IIT Alumni of the year.

Time is running out to register. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Register today! 

As the New Year starts, there are many lessons companies have learned from marketing to Hispanics during 2014.
For starters, the old way of thinking, "I always did it this way" or "Hispanics are part of my general marketing efforts," proved to be unproductive, limiting company growth, sales and return on investment.
And that turned out to be a big wake-up call to many companies.

The market has changed. Millennials — anyone born in the U.S. between the early 1980s to the early 2000s (ages 13 to 35) — now are shaping the new America. This young group contains the marketing "sweet spot" of 18-25 year olds, which is lucrative for many industries. READ MORE AT ORLANDO BUSINESS JOURNAL

Growing up in north Denver, Keith Villa would frequent Mexican restaurants with his family and enjoy a creamy, sweet, rice-based drink brought to the table in what looked like a metal cocktail shaker.

This milky, cinnamon-spiked, non-alcoholic concoction was Horchata, a staple of Latin America. Like so many things of childhood, Villa drank it in happily — but it didn’t leave a particular impression.

Much more recently, the Blue Moon Brewing Co. founder and head brewmaster was researching beer in Mexico and rediscovered Horchata at street markets. READ MORE AT THE DENVER POST

For millennials, jobs in the highest reaches of tech are among the most coveted. For Latino millennials, they sometimes seem unobtainable.

The numbers don't lie. At Google, Twitter, and Facebook, Latino employees make up between 2 percent and 3 percent of their respective workforce. These abysmal numbers are standard also throughout Silicon Valley, where overall only 3 percent of workers are Latino.

However, while few and far between, there are Latinos with dream jobs at top tech companies and in government. READ MORE AT FOX NEWS LATINO

Does the thought of entering a crowded room filled with strangers make your palms sweat?

Networking is a fear many people share. Some would even say it’s one of the scariest steps of finding a job. Whether it’s getting freaked out by small talk or the fear of forgetting someone’s name, networking can be a scary thing to do.

If you’re feeling spooked by networking this month, here are some tips that can help you become a fearless networker. READ MORE AT BUSINESS2COMMUNITY