Are you a Quester? Would you like to become one? Who are Questers, anyway? They chase success.

Questers are growth-oriented individuals with a sense or purpose, confidence, resilience, perseverance, and will to risk, who are redefining how we look at career and work!

Check your Quester traits with self-scoring quiz.

We are all born with Quester qualities. You can see these characteristics in babies and young children. They continuously strive to learn by exploring the world around them. Infants reach out to grasp their parents’ ears, eyes, or clothing and objects in their cribs. As they learn to walk, they have fun exploring every cupboard in their homes.

Children learn to crawl, walk, and build with blocks by persevering and risking. They are not deterred by falls. There is no word for failure in their vocabularies. Children feel good about accomplishing challenging tasks, as you can see by their sparkling eyes, excited waving of arms and legs, and smiles and laughter.

Unfortunately, as people grow older, many lose this excitement for learning; they forget the good feelings that come from accomplishing difficult tasks. Various reprimands, don’ts, shouldn’ts, and shames result in embarrassment or fear of trying and failing. Many adults set up barriers to growth that are manifested in expressions of resistance such as fear, denial, impatience, false beliefs, and low onfidence. They lose touch with their inner child and their Quester traits.

You have Quester qualities within that you can strengthen if you desire. Contrary to popular belief, the personality you developed through your childhood and adolescent experiences needn’t be your wardrobe for life. In fact, you can do a complete makeover any time you want.

Strengthen Quester Traits for Success

Clarify purpose.

Identify themes: absorbing childhood activities, proud accomplishments, when you’re most energized, a favorite Halloween costume.

Be authentic.

Do what’s right for you. Ensure actions are consistent with thoughts and feeling. Set goals in harmony with your purpose.

Build confidence.

Focus on the positive. Avoid, “I can’t.”  Don’t compare yourself with others. Judge accomplishments against personal standards and strive for excellence.

Continue to learn.

Read, take courses, volunteer. Challenge conventional beliefs. Recognize and seize opportunities. Find better ways to do things. Try! Place no limitations on yourself.

Strengthen courage to risk.

Review three successful risks taken. Note what made these successful. Identify perceived barriers for taking another risk and explore ways to overcome these.

Manage fear. 

Identify worrisome issues. Minimize these using appropriate information and resources. Live in the present. Let go of “attachments.” Form a support system.

Create a life in which you can continue to learn, grow, and have choices. Life is an opportunity, take it, life is an adventure, dare it!

Criticism is the practice of judging the merits and faults of something, according to Wikipedia. We all have to handle negative feedback at times. Some of it may constructive feedback, and some may be cruel!

Criticism at work can affect every part of your life, adding stress during work hours and invading your thoughts outside the office. If you don’t handle it well, negative feedback from your superiors and colleagues can ultimately derail your career.

There are ways to accept criticism at work with dignity and grace, and ways to make it constructive.

Tips for Managing Criticism at Work

Listen to the complete message.

Don’t interrupt and don’t try to end the conversation prematurely. Ask questions or talk until the other person agrees that you fully understand the concerns he or she has.

Don’t be defensive.

Even if you disagree with what the person is saying, find a way to talk about it without being defensive.

Control body language.

Don’t clench your fists or cross your arms while listening. Try to sit or stand next to the person with whom you’re communicating. This sets a friendly equitable atmosphere.

Focus on the issue.

When the speaker is talking, listen; when he’s finished, ask questions if you’re not clear about what he said. Rephrase what he said back to him to ensure you got it right. For example, “So you’re concerned about problem X and you would like me to do A or B, Is that right?” This will show him that you were listening, and also give him the opportunity to reword or emphasize something, if needed.

Keep the conversation productive.

If it’s clear the person is correct in his criticism, acknowledge it, and offer an apology, if appropriate. Express your appreciation for them taking the time to offer you feedback. After the conversation, if you still feel the criticism is wrong, politely state your opinion, but agree to think about the issue.

Follow up.

To show you value the input, offer to meet again later to discuss progress, if needed.

What are some ways you’ve managed criticism at work? With family members? With friends?

Career change is a major life event. This transition affects your life cycle in many ways. We continue to grow and develop throughout life—mentally, psychologically, interpersonally, and spiritually.

My research, described in Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life, describes our life long journey.

Progressing Through Life With Career Change

As we progress through life, we move through alternating developmental and transition stages. Each developmental stage presents a unique set of tasks to master and problems to solve. Between developmental periods we experience transition periods that allow us to question who we are and where we want to go.

These transitions give us time to re-examine our needs and values, take another look at our external world including job and relationships, explore and evaluate options, and make decisions to either deepen or alter earlier commitments.

Handling Transitions in Your Life and Career

Adults in transition may be every bit as miserable as adolescents. But those who reassess values and set goals for their next developmental stage are healthier, happier and wiser than those who do not. Failure to resolve the challenges of transitions can lead to severe problems including alcoholism, depressions, even suicide.

Chapter 5, The Career Cycle Meets the Life Cycle, in Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life, shows how to navigate transitions and realize your potential.

The term “ambush interviews” refers to unscheduled job interviews that occurs because someone has forced or tricked another into on-the-spot participation. Although the press typically uses the term to describe a journalism interview tactic, it can also refer to a tactic used by some employers and job seekers. An ambush interview can have a negative or positive result depending on the ambusher.

Are you prepared for job interviews? Do you know what to expect? Do you know how to behave in unusual interviews?

There are numerous kinds of interviewers and interview styles. Most interviewers are competent, professional. Some can turn a formal interview into a cordial discussion, make you feel at ease, and elicit information. Others are less proficient.

Although all interviews involve evaluation of the applicant, interview styles differ. Two or more styles are often combined in a single interview.  Knowing something about each can help you prepare for interviews and boost confidence and performance.

What type of job interviews are there and how can you handle them?

Screening job interview.

This initial interview is most common with entry level positions. It’s often used to eliminate candidates who don’t possess necessary qualifications.

Structured job interview.

This directed interview proceeds from a pre-selected list of questions. After all candidates have been interviewed, their answers are objectively compared.

To introduce more information about yourself into this lockstep procedure, politely ask if you could offer information.  Most interviewers provide opportunities for comments.

Istructured job interview.

This non-directed interview offers candidates the opportunity to take charge of the interview. Interviewers ask open-ended questions. One favorite question is “Tell me about yourself.”

Demonstrate your employment objectives, qualifications, and accomplishments using concrete examples. Ask questions to obtain additional information and show interest.  Demonstrate how your strengths will contribute to the company.

Board job interview.

This interview may be used to select candidates for high level positions. Several interviewers may ask questions focusing on their areas of expertise, while another may observe nonverbal behavior.

Ask, in advance, about people who will be in attendance. During the interview, talk to the person questioning you. Concentrating on one person at a time, enables you to appear relaxed, confident.

Behavioral job interview.

This popular style assumes past behavior predicts future performance. Candidates are asked questions about how they’ve worked in the past. For example, “Tell me about a conflict you had with a co-worker and how you dealt with it.” Employers expect candidates to tell stories about themselves to give insight into behaviors such as teamwork, initiative, problem-solving, and flexibility.

When answering questions, describe the situation and task to set the stage. Next, review the action you took to demonstrate past performance. Finally, emphasize successful results. Ensure your answers are honest, concise.

Case job interview.

Interviewers present you with a real task to complete. Usually, you complete the problem during the interview; sometimes, you may be asked to finish it at home. Show you understand the problem and can reach a conclusion through logical analysis.

Before you read the case, understand expectations such as time limit.  Ask questions to clarify understanding. Pay attention to hints. Analyze the case from many perspectives to demonstrate ability to think through many scenarios. 

Analytical job interview.

This interview is designed to observe how you think on your feet and analyze data. You may hear some strange questions such as how many gas stations are located in your region. 

Think creatively. Try to respond humorously. The interviewer is interested in your thinking process, not necessarily the correct answer.

Stress job interview.

Some interviewers intentionally introduce stress into the interview to assess candidates’ reactions to pressure. Stress techniques include silence, being unfriendly, asking sensitive questions.

Smile pleasantly, maintain composure. Ignore offensive comments. Answer insulting questions candidly. Imagine answering these questions when you’re with friends.  Reframe questions to demonstrate suitability to the position.

The dining job interview.

You may be taken out to lunch if you’re in an all-day interview. While conversation may be informal, evaluation is present.

Maintain your guard. Order what you want in the medium price range. Avoid spaghetti, other food that could be awkward to eat; don’t drink alcohol.. Discuss common interests.  Don’t reveal more about yourself than planned.

Serial or successive job interviews.

After an initial screening you may be given a series of interviews with several interviewers, each on a one-to-one basis.

Treat each interviewer as though he or she is the first. Establish a good relationship with everybody, and repeat information you may have given others with enthusiasm. Employment decisions are often made by a committee composed of these people.

International job interviews.

Because different cultures have varied expectations and perceptions of appropriate interview behaviors, know the company culture. In some cultures, interviewers expect candidates to show modesty and wait to be asked before volunteering information. In Anglo America, interviewees are expected to show initiative, competence, and ask questions.

Follow-up tips.

Evaluate your interview performance. Did you create a favorable first impression? Were you prepared? Did you demonstrate your qualifications for the position? Other?

Write a brief thank you letter to the employer within 24 hours following the interview. State your appreciation for the interviewer’s interest, and restate your desire for the position demonstrating what you can contribute.

Don’t take rejections personally. These are normal. Use varied job search strategies, and persist.

Tina’s lay off from her retail position provided the impetus to follow her passion — art therapy. Bruce aced his interview for a cyber security position. They both attained their desired career goals. So can you!

Positive thinking is powerful. Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, and your heart desires, you can achieve. But you must have persistence and patience.

Achieve you career goals with the following strategies:

Know what you want.

State your goal in specific terms. Dare to dream. Ensure your career goal is consistent with your passion or purpose.

Confirm your goal is sound and desirable.

It should benefit both you and other people.

Write your goal and all your reasons for wanting it.

State your outcome in positive terms.

Identify and minimize barriers.

Specify any obstacles that may keep you from reaching your goal. If the worst thing happened what could you do? What information do you need to pursue this goal? Where could you go for this? From whom could you get support? What can you do to make this less risky? What kind of measures could you build in to make it less urgent? Less irreversible? Less overwhelming?

List all the groups, people, organizations, resources, character traits, education, personal strengths, and tools you have at your disposal for assisting you in overcoming obstacles. Use these to help you move forward.

Set a schedule for completing your career goals.

Be flexible so that you can incorporate new ideas. Use a daily organizer to plan activities that will enable you to attain your goal.

Break the goal into small steps.  Every day, do at least one activity related to achieving your goal.

Ask a friend or relative for support.

Meet often to review your progress. Call when you need a boost.

Continually focus on your desired outcome.

See yourself living your goal today: see, hear, smell, and touch aspects of the goal. Act as if you have already achieved your goal.

If you find this challenging, create a collage or drawing depicting it. Tina glued pictures from publications on a large sheet of poster paper. The collage illustrated her desired goals, how she wanted to look, the personal and professional image she desired to project, people she wanted to be with, and other things that represented her concept of “success.” Every day, she reminded herself that she was this successful person. She also stated affirmations daily, and continued to have faith that she would attain her goal.

Associate with positive people who support your career goals.

Remove all negative mental obstacles…

Such as hate, worry, anger, jealousy. Avoid phrases such as, “I can’t.” Do not criticize or blame others.

Bruce was convinced he wasn’t getting job offers because employers didn’t want to hire men in their 50s. But when he changed his attitudes, documented his updated skills, and illustrated how his previous accomplishments and experience could contribute to the company, he had three job offers in one week.

State and write intentions and affirmations daily.

Affirmations, potent statements of truths which sink deep into your subconscious, help you to become the person you want to be. Use positive statements such as “I can be what I will to be,”  “My life is changing for the better,” and  “I am proud of myself.”

View failures or setbacks as learning experiences.

They are detours as you move toward your goal.

Keep mind, body and spirit in top working order.

Eat healthy, exercise regularly, and nourish your soul.

Review your goal periodically.

Feel free to modify it as you learn more about yourself and your options.

Achieving your desired goals will give you feelings of accomplishment and confidence. You will gain a sense of purpose, inner harmony, and greater control over your personal and professional life.

Learn other goal attainment strategies Questers use in Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life.

Questers, who are redefining how we look at career and work, look forward to the New Year with optimism! Questers are described in the award winning, Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life.

Positive psychology has demonstrated a clear relationship among, optimistic thinking, job satisfaction and health. Optimism can be developed.

Tips for Improving Optimism

Believe in yourself.

William James, the father of American psychology, said: “Your belief at the beginning of a doubtful undertaking is the one thing that ensures the successful outcome of your venture…” When you expect the best, you release a magnetic force in your mind, which by the law of attraction, tends to bring the best to you.

Recognize you create your own thoughts and have power to change them.

Think and talk about the kind work you want. Use positive statements about such things as enjoying your colleagues, having a supportive boss, and being in control.

Focuses on successes.

Prepare a list of personality and work-related accomplishments, or create a collage using pictures that illustrate you succeeding in your ideal work setting. View this daily.

Review work accomplishments. Note the role belief and hard work played in achieving successes, and strategies used to accomplish results.

Be genuine.

Discard preconceived notions of what others think, and recreate the person you are, and want to be! Don’t compare yourself with others. Judge your job accomplishments against personal standards of self-improvements as well as company standards. Strive for excellence rather than perfection. Ask your supervisor for feedback and support.

Break the worry habit.

Empty your mind of worrisome thoughts about your job before sleeping to avoid retention of these thoughts in your subconscious. Picture the troublesome thoughts flowing out of your mind like water flowing from a basin.

Forgive.

Forgiveness is pardoning without harboring resentment. Release an old hurt about a colleague who started a malicious rumor about you. You don’t have to befriend the individual, but you must release negative emotions associated with that person. When you hold onto pain, you’re allowing that person’s actions to continue to hurt you.

Define a clear career goal, and expect success.

Be motivated by desire and goal attainment. When you arise in the morning, review this goal. Take one forward action step. Reward yourself for attaining this.

Remember, spring is about new beginnings and cultivating optimism. Use this time to create and pursue your desired job and lifestyle!

2018 is just around the corner and it’s time to create your ideal life!

The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking. – Albert Einstein

Change is constant, just like new years. It happens all around us every day and embracing it is the key to your success.

Valuable lessons can be learned from change or adversity, if we look for them with open minds. Winston Churchill said: “A pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty”.

Eastern thinkers believe everything in life is impermanent. Everything exists for a finite time frame. When we accept the fact that nothing lasts forever, we’re equipped to manage changes and uncertainties. We should enjoy good times, and remember that challenging times are temporary.

Since change will occur in most aspects of our lives, we can learn to respond to change with positive anticipation, believing change facilitates growth and brings new opportunities.

Create a Master Plan for Success and Your Ideal Life

Take responsibility for your career.

Create new opportunities with your current or another employer. Consider time out, full or part-time study, travel or self employment.

View career growth as a lifelong process of personal and professional development – a continuing quest to maintain harmony between who you are and what you do.

Identify and pursue your purpose.

Your purpose is your compass which will guide you through chaos. When you’re in touch with the real you and live out who you believe you are, you’ll have you a sense of direction, inner peace and satisfaction.

Identify personal and transferable skills.

These enable you to perform in varied situations. Employers value adaptive skills like openness to ideas, persistence, critical evaluation, enthusiasm, helpfulness, patience, optimism and tolerance.

Strengthen “meta skills.”

These skills for tomorrow can’t be easily automated. They include problem solving, decision making, learning, research, judgment, inspiration, relationship building, performance management, ethical leadership, mental training, and emotional intelligence.  Continuously update technical and professional skills.

Enhance “Quester qualities.”

Cultivate and use intuition, continue to learn, use mind power, develop the will to risk, think critically, strengthen creativity, and bolster communication and interpersonal skills.

Expand horizons.

Go beyond borders. Prepare for and welcome the unexpected.  Innovate, adapt, explore, seize opportunities. Nothing is beyond reach!

“I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself.” – Aldous Huxley

The Holiday Season can be a good time to start job hunting!  Professional get-togethers, office parties, and year-end meetings abound during the Holiday Season.

As companies complete their financial planning for 2018, they’re under pressure to fill certain openings or risk losing budgets. Hiring managers with new goals are eager to find productive workers.

Several organizations interview in December for positions starting in the New Year.  Some successful candidates begin new jobs between Christmas and New Year. Starting work during the holidays can be a bonus. The work pace is usually slower, and new employees have time to settle in.

Holiday Job Hunting Tips

Be prepared.

Know yourself and job target. Specify your preferred job title and industry, your special skills and accomplishments, and what you can offer the company (value added). Match your qualifications to employers’ needs. Know key industry words to describe your skills throughout your job hunting.

Investigate jobs and prospective employers.

Consider small and medium-sized companies. Check the classifieds, online job boards, local newspapers, business and trade publications, and company websites. Use search engines to learn about organizations and identify decision makers of desired companies.

Use social media.

Build an on-line professional profile on LinkedIn and Twitter to expand your network. Employers research potential candidates. Ensure information about your professional accomplishments and background is current. Keep personal life private. Ensure privacy settings are secure.

Consider industry-related Twitter chats to communicate with the right people. Share information by re-tweeting and forwarding links or articles. keep it professional while job hunting

Prepare an elevator speech.

This mini speech introduces you and what you like about the organization. Describe your experience, accomplishments and skills, and demonstrates your value added. Introduce yourself over the phone, in person, and at professional or other gatherings.

Call hiring managers. Before phoning, investigate the organization and hiring manager. Ask for five minutes. Give your speech conversationally demonstrating how you can help resolve employer challenges like save money or manage people. Be friendly, genuine.

Create a separate resume for each job target.

Also, design a business card that highlights areas of expertise and directs recipients to your resume in an accessible format, such as the URL for a web page.

Network at holiday events.

Job hunting doesn’t stop during fun events. Attend as many functions as possible. Include events sponsored by professional associations and Chambers of Commerce. Ask for invitations to friends’ company functions. Go with the objective of catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. You may learn about a great position before it’s advertised.

Present a professional image.

Dress conservatively and stay sober. Discuss business in general terms. Talk about industry trends, and what you contribute to your profession.

Be sociable, informal. Don’t aggressively ask for employment information. When work topics come up, casually mention your job search. Discreetly exchange business cards with professional contacts. Follow-up with phone calls in the New Year.

Send holiday greeting cards and emails.

Mail these to well connected friends and work-related contacts. To be culturally sensitive use generic cards with messages like “Season’s Greetings.” Write a short note and sign your name. Mail cards early in the season.

Volunteer.

You’ll meet new people, learn about job opportunities, and gain experience and confidence.

Take a survival job.

Temporary work can stretch finances and may lead to a permanent job. Employers often need temporary help as they try to complete annual goals with regular employees wanting vacation time.

Maintain a flexible schedule.

Allocate time for job hunting, relaxation, and holiday celebrations. Be available, adaptable. A prospective employer may unexpectedly call. If you’re accessible, you have an advantage.

Follow-up.

Contact hiring managers within two weeks of sending correspondence. A brief phone call reasserting your interest and strong qualifications for the position is effective.

Persist.

You may get your Christmas wish.

The telephone is the most common business tool and its proper use is essential for career advancement. Your phone skills can make or break your future.

Are your phone skills good?

When you make calls do you:

1. State your message briefly and clearly?

2. Leave your name, organization and phone number, repeating these twice, slowly and clearly?

3. Give the full name of the person for whom you’re leaving the message?

4. State the date and time of the call?

5. State whether you’ll call back or you’d like the other person to call?

7. Ask for a return call at a time you’ll be available?

When you receive calls, do you:

8. Identify yourself?

9. Use courtesies such as “Please hold while I complete another call?”

10. Offer to take messages when you’re answering for someone?

11. Repeat the caller’s name and number to make sure they’re correct?

12. Speak in a professional manner?

13. Does your answering machine have a pleasant, professional and courteous message? Leave a good impression?

Scoring: Give yourself one point for each “yes.” The higher your score, the more telephone skills you possess. A score of 9 or less suggests you could enhance your skills.

Tips for strengthening your phone skills

1. Knowledge: Before you make a call have the required information.

2. Goals: Know what you want to accomplish.

3. Attitude: Make the recipient feel you’re interested in her/him and the message.

Make a great first impression.

Show the caller that you’re helpful, confident and competent. If a potential employer’s first contact is over the phone, she gets cues from your voice.

You can influence your listener’s reactions by controlling the pace, pitch, inflection and tone of your voice.  Strive for an energy level that matches your normal conversation. A soft voice suggests shyness or uncertainty; a loud voice implies anger or worry. Be alert to your caller’s needs. If he’s having trouble hearing, speak louder, more slowly.

Speak briskly but pronounce words clearly. When you talk too fast, you sound hurried or excited and are difficult to understand; when you too speak slowly, you sound tired, lazy or uninterested.

Inflection adds special meaning to your message. If, for example, you say, “–John– needs help with his resume this afternoon,” you’re suggesting John needs help. If you say, “John needs help with his resume — this afternoon —  your indicating he needs help this afternoon.

Different tones of voice can make us feel differently — happy, angry, hurt, etc. Keep your tone attentive, interested and friendly. Smiling adds a pleasant tone to your voice.

Be courteous.

People are turned off by careless or rude remarks. Always say hello and identify yourself. Ask how you can help. Use courtesy words, “Thank you for waiting.”  If you need to put the caller on hold, ask, and wait for an answer. If you need to phone back, indicate when you’ll call.

End the call positively, for example, “Thanks for calling.”  Let the caller hang up first. This gives him control of the ending as well as an opportunity to ask further questions. Don’t eat, drink, or chew gum.

Leave clear, concise messages.

State your name and phone number. Repeat these twice. Give the name of the person you’re calling and date and time you called. If the person doesn’t return your call, phone again a few days later. For other message skills, review the telephone savvy questions.

Ace the job phone interview.

If you’re not prepared to speak with an employer who calls you, ask the employer if you can return the call, or if he can call back at a mutually convenient time. This gives you time to prepare.

Your confidence and career advancement will improve as you hone your phone skills.

Are you an individualist or collectivist? How does this influence your work relationships?

Most experts agree that individualism is the belief that the individual is the primary unit of reality and the ultimate standard of value. No person should be sacrificed for the sake of another. This view does not deny that people benefit from living in societies, but it sees a society as a collection of individuals.

Collectivism views the needs of the individual to be subordinate to those of the larger group, and should be sacrificed for the collective good. The group is the primary unit of reality and the ultimate standard of value. One’s identity is determined by one’s group.

Western cultures, such as those found in Europe and North America, tend to be individualistic. Eastern and Asian cultures are usually collective.

There is, however, variation in the extent to which individuals are representative of cultures. Demographics are important. Studies suggest that the well educated are more likely individualists than the less educated. City dwellers are more individualistic than rural residents. Men are more individualistic than women, and young more than old.

Thus, we need to consider peoples’ experiences when interacting with them. A 43-year old Japanese executive with a Harvard MBA, who worked in England, will probably be more individualistic than a 55-year old Japanese who has worked for the same organization in Japan.

Are you an individualist or collectivist? 

Agree or disagree:

1. I prefer being direct when speaking with people.

2. My parents influenced my career choices.

3. Winning is everything.

4. I like sharing things with colleagues.

5. I enjoy competitive situations.

6. What happens to me is my own doing.

7. My aging mother lives with us.

8. I like being different.

9. My successes are usually the result of hard work and abilities.

10. I enjoy exploring.

11. I’m free from group influences.

12. When making work decisions, I try to please others.

13. I have friends from different cultures.

14. I have a university degree.

15. I have lots of traditional education.

16. I grew up in a large family.

17. My leisure activities allow me to do my own thing.

18. I like working alone.

19. I value privacy.

Scoring. 1 for each agree to items 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18 & 19;  and disagree to items 2, 4, 7, 12, 15 & 16.

14 – 19. You’re individualistic. You’re independent, like giving opinions, enjoy doing your “own thing,” and value privacy.

7 or lower. You’re a collectivist. You like maintaining harmony, respect authority, are interdependent, and value tradition.

8 – 13. You balance individualistic and collectivist traits.

Many North Americans combine characteristics of both orientations. However, North America is becoming more diverse and collectivist as a result of waves of immigration.

The Pew Research Center reported (http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/27/10-demographic-tr…) that Immigrants are driving overall workforce growth in the U.S. As the Baby Boom generation heads toward retirement, growth in the nation’s working-age population (those ages 25 to 64) will be driven by immigrants and the U.S.-born children of immigrants, at least through 2035.

Without immigrants, there would be an estimated 18 million fewer working-age adults in the country in 2035 because of the dearth of U.S.-born children with U.S.-born parents. However, immigrants do not form a majority of workers in any industry or occupational group, though they form large shares of private household workers (45%) and farming, fishing, and forestry occupations (46%).

Working with individualists and collectivists

To be successful, we should know the culture, demographics, and experiences of individuals with whom we’re interacting.

Most organizations now offer training programs that show employees how to respect diversity, and encourage leaders how to draw on the multiple strengths of a diverse workforce.

Examples of programs offered include cultural awareness and sensitivity training courses designed to help employees respond to diverse issues and enhance communication. Employees learn how to treat others with respect, and honor and value peoples’ differences.

In many organizations, employees enjoy sharing diversity by having “pot luck” lunches in which employees take turns bringing sample foods of their culture for others to taste.

Dr. Geert Hofstede, who researches workplace values, provides a model of five cultural dimensions which can help business personnel better understand intercultural differences. He advises people not to approach others from their own, but from others’ perspectives.

Power distance.

The degree of inequality which the population considers normal.

Individualism versus collectivism.

The extent to which people feel they should care for or be cared for by themselves versus the group.

Masculinity versus femininity.

The extent to which a culture is oriented toward dominance, assertiveness and materialism versus people and quality of life.

Uncertainty avoidance.

The degree to which people prefer structure over unstructure.

Long-term versus short-term orientation.

Long-term values oriented towards the future versus short term values oriented towards the past.

Check Hofstede’s Analysis of different countries (www.cyborlink.com/besite/hofstede.htm), and select the country about which you want to learn more. Discuss the culture with colleagues, and brainstorm how you can apply knowledge acquired to a work situation.