1. 2010
Bi-Lingual Recruitment Chicago
Teri McElrath
US Cellular Talent Acquisition
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2. Bi-Lingual Recruitment Best Practices
Employer Sessions
US Cellular representatives from Talent Acquisition, Sales, Customer Care, and Associate Relations
partner to facilitate a presentation for job seekers. The presentation provides an overview of the
company, the Dynamic Organization, benefits, career opportunities, and how to apply for current
opportunities. The employer session allows recruiters the opportunity to meet face to face with job
seekers and answer any questions directly. By partnering with the Sales Organization, the job seekers
get a pre-view of what it is like to work in our retail stores. This format has proven successful at
organizations such as Operation Able. Currently USCC facilitates a monthly employer session on site at
Operation Able. This organization has produced Latino hires for the BCCC and Sales Organizations
utilizing this format.
BlackBerry 101
Talent Acquisition and the Sales Organization partner to facilitate Blackberry 101 events within the
community at monthly chamber meetings. This format allows the Sales Organization the opportunity to
update members on new promotions, devices launching, and drive traffic into the local retail stores.
This format also allows Talent Acquisition the opportunity to provide updates regarding current
opportunities within the area. This format has proven successful at the Hispanic Lake County Chamber.
Low Cost Recruitment Events
Organizations like Operation Able have offered to donate conference and meeting room space for US
Cellular recruitment events. US Cellular has the opportunity to host recruitment events/job fairs for little
or no cost. Leveraging space, volunteers, free advertising, and other resources will be critical in
building a strategy for 2010.
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3. Operation Able
Neighborhood: Chicago Pilsen Area (Near-West Chicago)
DSM: Mary O’Malley & Chuck Watson
ASM Territories Served: Shanel Smith, Martin Malkowski, Natasha Thompson, Carmen Ritacca
US Cellular’s Targeted Communities: City South, City North, Suburban Southeast, Suburban Nearwest
Best Practice: Employer Sessions (1st Tuesday Monthly)
Demographics:
Pilsen is Chicago's largest Latino community. According to Claritas, Inc, of a total 1998 population of
44,133, 93.5% are Latino, predominantly of Mexican heritage. The median age in Pilsen is 18 years the
youngest for any Chicago community. More than a third (36%) of the community's children live below the
federal poverty level. Of the 12,340 households in Pilsen, approximately 22% are headed by women, and
31% have incomes of less than $15,000 per year. The 1989 median household income in Pilsen was
$20,571, more than 20% lower than the citywide median of $26,301. Between 1979 and 1989, the
median income in Pilsen declined 8%, compared to a 1% decline for the city.
About Operation Able
National Able Network® is a nonprofit agency working to serve individuals, families and communities by
bringing together qualified job seekers and businesses. Since 1977, Able's experienced, multicultural
professionals provide the training, the personal skills, and the job search techniques that help people
enter or re-enter the workforce as quickly and as easily as possible.
Operation Able is a liaison between employers and those that have filed for unemployment through the
Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Operation Able pre-screens job seekers to ensure
that candidates minimum qualifications.
US Cellular partners with Operation Able to facilitate “Employer Sessions” once a month onsite at their
office in Pilsen to talk to candidates about Retail Sales opportunities and encourage applicants to apply
on-line.
Resources Available
Pre-screening and referrals
Free conference room space for Recruiting Events
Computer Center for job seekers to complete application
Recommendations: Next Steps
Spring 2010 USCC Bi-lingual Recruitment Event on site at Operation Able
Continue Monthly “Employer Sessions” targeting bi-lingual Spanish candidates
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4. Hispanic Lake County Chamber of
Commerce
Neighborhood: Lake County
DSM: Mary O’Malley
ASM Territories Served: Suzanne Levine, Hershil Sheth
US Cellular’s Targeted Locations: Chicago Suburban North
Best Practice: Blackberry 101
Demographics:
According to the 2000 Census, the Hispanic population is the second largest community in Lake County
and the third largest Latino community in the State of Illinois. If we take a look at neighboring
communities within the Chicagoland area, Cook County has approximately 1,229,964 million Latino
residents, Kane County; 145,035, Lake County; 139,958, Dupage County; 117, 130, McHenry; 36, 159,
and Kenosha Count;: 16, 038 residents. This data indicates that leveraging relationships in Lake County
will be critical in building and implementing a strategy to increase quantity, quality, and diversity of
talent in the North Suburban area.
About Lake County Chamber of Commerce:
The Lake County Chamber of Commerce was established in 1915 as the Waukegan Chamber of
Commerce. The two main goals of the Lake County Chamber are to provide member businesses with
opportunities and value for their membership. Monthly networking opportunities at the Chamber
include the twice-monthly Networkers Group, Women's Networkers, the Hispanic Networking Group, a
Business After Hours hosted by a member business, and the Business Luncheon series. These
networking opportunities are supplemented by educational programs and seminars, community events,
an annual business showcase, and the Chamber's annual events, the golf outing, and the annual dinner.
Resources Available
Hispanic Radio Station Broadcast on Sunday
Networking Events within Latino Community
Central location to host recruitment events
Recommendations Next Steps:
US Cellular Blackberry 101 Spring & Fall 2010
Partner with Chamber to host 2010 Lake County Bi-lingual Recruitment Event
Utilize Hispanic Radio Station to broadcast job opportunities
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5. Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Neighborhood: City of Chicago
DSM: Mary O’Malley & Chuck Watson
ASM Territories Served: Shanel Smith, Martin Malkowski, Natasha Thompson, Carmen Ritacca
Best Practice: TBD
About Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) is the leading Hispanic business, networking, advocacy
and development organization in Illinois.
With more than 1,400 members, the IHCC is committed to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships --
matching government agencies and corporations with qualified Hispanic businesses; creating targeted
forums for networking and advancement opportunities, and providing a vision for inclusion, integrity,
empowerment and success of Hispanic-owned businesses, creating sustained progress and benefit for
the entire community.
The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) is the principal voice for the more than 45,000
Hispanic owned businesses in the State of Illinois. IHCC promotes the growth and success of Hispanic
firms and serves as a strong advocate for business issues.
Recommendations Next Steps:
Partner with IHCC to host Spring Bi-lingual Recruitment Event @ Operation Able
USCC representative should attend monthly meetings for visibility
Join the IHCC as a Corporate Sponsor
Sponsor a 2010 IHCC Meeting
Engage IHCC Board about Business to Business opportunities
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6. Little Village Chamber of Commerce
Neighborhood: City of Chicago (Near Southside)
DSM: Mary O’Malley & Chuck Watson
ASM Territories Served: Shanel Smith, Martin Malkowski, Natasha Thompson, Carmen Ritacca
Best Practice: TBD
Demographics:
Little Village is a thriving commercial area in Chicago’s West Side with more than 1,000 businesses that
offer a vast array of goods and services. It is also home to the largest Mexican community in the
Midwest, a fact reflected by the many unique Mexican specialty products available from merchants in
the area. Little Village residents and business owners are amply recognized for their entrepreneurial
spirit, strong work ethic, and commitment to family and community. Businesses in Little Village create
jobs for thousands of residents.
The aggregated expenditure data underscores the purchasing power and consumer preferences of Little
Italy and nearby residents. In 2002, over $24 million was spent on apparel, $10 million on
television/electronics, and $9 million on housekeeping and supplies.
About Little Village Chamber of Commerce:
The Little Village Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization that has represented the
interests of local businesses for more than 30 years. Its mission is to promote and support the growth
and success of businesses in Little Village and to leverage the community’s unique cultural identity to
generate new opportunities. The Chamber works closely with business and community leaders;
government agencies; law enforcement; corporate partners; elected officials and others to address the
issues that affect the community and the commercial area.
The Little Village Chamber of Commerce serves its members and promotes the Little Village business
community by focusing on these primary areas: Training, Assistance, Advocacy, and Commercial
Development. Additional information about the Chamber’s program, events and activities and the Little
Village community is available here on their website.
Recommendations Next Steps:
Attend Little Village Chamber Meeting to explore partnership opportunities
Join Little Village Chamber of Commerce
Sponsor Business Expo 2010
Sponsor Mexican Independence Day Parade 2010
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7. 2010 Challenges
Chicago West Suburban
The number of days to fill a bi-lingual opportunity in the Western Suburbs compared to other
areas of the city far exceeds the 30-45 day preferred metric. Moving forward in 2010, it will be
imperative to identify partnership opportunities to help increase the quality and quantity of talent in
this area.
Chicago Northwest/Northeast Suburban
This area appears to be a challenge as it relates to quality of talent in the Sales Organization. It
will be crucial to maintain the relationship with the Lake County Hispanic Chamber and utilize the
Chamber relationships to build applicant pools in this area. There is a need to take this relationship to
the next level and host recruitment events in the Lake County area. Alejandro Alumbreros, Store
Manager, has been instrumental in helping foster this relationship.
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8. Contacts & USCC Partners
Hispanic Pro Alfonso Barrera, Founder
Hispanic Lake County Chamber Jose Rodriguez, Director
Illinois Hispanic Chamber Adrian Soto, Director Entrepreneurship Center
Illinois Hispanic Chamber Arabel Rosales, Chairman
Operation Able Joyce Austin, Coordinator
US Cellular Sales Jose Jacome, Jose Cortes, Mario Rodriguez, Alejandro
Alumbreros
US Cellular Care Centers Derrick Achacosos
US Cellular Associate Relations Andrea Leonas, Timeka Young
Upcoming Events/Other Organizations
USHLI National Convention: February 2010
Hispanic Pro Networking Event: March 2010
Operation Able Employer Session: March 2010
Illinois Hispanic Chamber Monthly Meeting: March 2010
Illinois Hispanic Chamber and US Cellular’s Blackberry 101: Spring 2010
Little Village Business Expo: March 2010
Little Village Sidewalk Sale: April 2010
Little Village “Mexican Independence Day” Parade: September 2010
Additional Resources
Little Village Chamber of Commerce: www.lavillitachamber.org/About.html
Lake County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: www.lakecountychamber.com
Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: http://www.ihccbusiness.net/
Operation Able: www.nationalable.org/
Demographics: wikipedia
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