Hispanic Employment In US: PDN's Diversity Jobs Report Finds Hispanics Making Strides

Current data from the U.S. Census Bureau cites that there are 54 million Hispanics living in the nation, hailing from over 20 nations. The October Professional Diversity Network's (PDN) Diversity Jobs Index and Report is devoted to Hispanics in the workforce, due to Hispanic Heritage month, and their findings are significant. Especially considering that the Pew Research Center has found that the most pressing issue in the Hispanic community is education, followed by jobs and the economy and healthcare.

"Compared to other ethnic and racial groups, Hispanics have not overwhelmingly prescribed to “selling up” by engaging in self-promotion in their work environments," explains the PDN report. "A study at Cornell University suggests there is a cultural reticence among Hispanics, particularly women, to brag about their professional accomplishments. Most say, they would prefer to “let their work speak for itself” or allow others to acknowledge the merits of their contributions on the job. As a result, this cultural nuance may be a barrier to employment and or a promotion, regardless of the job level or skill qualifications."

Below are some main points from the report:

Diversity within — One size does not fit all: A first step to successfully recruiting Hispanics by debunking the myth that all Hispanics are alike. Employers must understand the differences within the segment. This includes recognizing the implications of "mature" vs. "emerging" Hispanic Americans when searching for candidates.

Women at Work: The DJR explores the cultural nuances of being a Hispanic woman in the workplace. Hispanic women prefer to "let her work speak for itself" and are less likely to proactively seek promotions than women from other ethnic groups (and men). This is largely driven by cultural queues, which frown upon bragging and aggressive self-promotion.

Men at Work: Hispanic men are the most likely of all racial or ethnic groups to seek work. Hispanic men work more than white and African-American men, yet consistently earn less.

Hispanics in the Hospitality & Leisure sector: Hispanics are strongly represented in the Hospitality and Leisure sector and made up 21.88% of the overall labor force in this sector during August.

Hispanics in the Information sector: Hispanics are strongly underrepresented in the Information sector and made up 10.35% of the overall labor force in this sector during August.

Speaking Spanish: Strong communications skills are critical to building and maintaining a successful business. The latest U.S. Census revealed that over 60.5 Million people speak a language other than English at home. Of this group, 62% speak Spanish—making it the second most widely spoken language in America.

"As the U.S. Hispanic population continues to grow, this segment is increasingly participating in the civilian labor force. As a result, Hispanic incomes continue to rise, providing improved economic mobility," summarizes the report. "While Hispanic employment levels have elevated since the recession, growth is primarily attributed to non-professional services industries, like construction and hospitality, which typically include low wage jobs. The numbers reveal limited educational attainment has been a barrier in this regard."

"As employers seek to hire more college educated Hispanics, the war on talent will intensify. Top talent will seek out employers that truly value diversity. By investing in inclusion initiatives that speak directly to Hispanics, employers can better identify and recruit Hispanics professionals."