Question: I just got laid off and I need to prepare my resume again. I have a few years job experience in the United States but I have more experience in the Philippines. Should I include my job experience in the Philippines? I’m afraid of losing points if the prospective employer sees I’m a minority.

PinoyTexas: You definitely should include your experiences in the Philippines. Use them to demonstrate your resourcefulness, determination, ability to focus, sense of responsibility, and enthusiasm for work. These are the qualities employers are primarily looking for.

It used to be that being obviously a minority was a big disadvantage. Not anymore. Today corporations reach out to minorities with great effort. Their motive is no longer primarily to comply with affirmative action. Rather they are motivated by profit. As American society increasingly diversify in composition, the winning companies are those perceived as minority friendly.

It’s not just the image of minority-friendly that corporations go after. Creativity in the corporation is enhanced by diversity. Marketing, research and development, and community relations are some of the areas which directly benefit from diversity in the workplace.

American society also has changed. Look around and you’ll see Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants visited by all groups of people. The same goes for Mexican, Italian, and French restaurants.

If you consider your being Filipino and your Philippine experiences as a setback, you are probably right. If you consider your background a great asset, you are probably right too. Your attitude makes a big difference.

Today’s interviewers are very smart. They can easily detect poor self-esteem in a person. Being evasive about your past is an indication of poor self-esteem. Employers know from experience that workers with poor self-esteem are not good team players, not very creative, and have little potential for leadership.

Be proud of your accomplishments, no matter how small. Do not take for granted any of God’s gifts to you. If you don’t appreciate your own work, why should others?