Elton Ilirjani Living His Truth and Flourishing in the Fashion Industry

Self-tagged “The American Balkanian Gay,” Elton Ilirjani has dusted off the rejection and scorn he faced for most of his life and taken up his full identity in the United States. Coming from Tepelena, the People’s Social Republic of Albania, a society yet to accept many ways of life that people hold dear, Elton found it hard to fit in and lead a life that did not fully represent his essence and identity. In 1991, as an eleven-year-old boy, Elton Ilirjani took things up with his father and came out as gay. At the time, Albania was led by ex-communists, and as expected, he was met with criticism and condemnation. Elton took things further by writing a love letter to a straight man, and he became the subject of conversations amongst the members of his community.

Putting all his controversies behind him, Elton acquired formal education and was excellent at it. He was the best student in the history of the Abaz Shehu gymnasium, where he graduated from. He also obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Economics Sciences and a Master’s degree in Political Sciences from the Mediterranean University of Albania. He was passionate about the arts, and in 2000, he won the first prize in Albania alliteration with Beat Generation Poetry within youth in Albania. He also wrote two poetic books titled “Neveria” and “Fytyrefshehuri,” which received critical acclaim all over Albania.

In 2012, he established Head Hunter, which became the biggest HR, Recruiting and Staff Leasing company in Western Balkans, Greece and Cyprus. In 2016, he established the company in the United States and has connected employers with employees ever since. He declared his sexual status openly in the Albania media in 2016. He remains the only public figure to have ever announced themselves to be a proud gay in Albania. This generated a lot of negative press from the public and media. At the same time, he signed up for two major campaigns for LGBT rights – Lipstick Movement and the Nobody is Straight Movement. Elton Ilrijani heated the polity again by being the first man to use lipstick in the Albanian media and the first gay man to show off his body in the media.

He established Dignity Global, a global foundation that manages LGBT Employment Equality Indexes. The foundation ensures companies and institutions take active steps to end discrimination against the LGBT community at the workplace and during recruitment procedures. Elton Ilirjani has fully settled into American life, and he’s actively fighting for the causes he believes in on a global scale. He got married to his lover, Christian, in 2019, and they live together with their Pomeranian dog, Mona.

Despite his success and influence, Elton is still not accepted back home in Albania. During the Pride month of 2021, he was publicly crucified, and he has stated that such treatment continues to make him sad. Elton is known for his high-end fashion sense and glamorous personality.

Learn more about Elton Ilirjani and his works on Dignity Global’s website.

What NOT TO SAY in a job interview

The hiring manager has already sifted through resumes and decided that they want to meet you. Now it’s your turn to make an impression. And, unfortunately for you, every sentence you utter during the job interview is going to be a part of that impression.

Avoid these 11 statements next time you’re up for a job, and you’ll be well on your way to wowing your interviewer.

“That’s a great question!”

While this phrase may be a great addition to social conversations, it’s not something an interviewer needs to hear. Instead of sounding surprised that the recruiter asked a question, remember that you’ve prepared for this interview.

“What is the title of the role, again?”

Any questions showing your lack of research into the company, the job description, or the industry itself show that you haven’t adequately prepared. Preparing for a job interview is like preparing for a final exam – you need to know your stuff.

“I’ve actually never done this type of job before, but…”

If you have a lack of experience, your resume will show it. There’s no need to further underscore your lack of qualifications. In fact, the interview is your chance creatively connect the dots between your resume and your decision to apply for the job.

“I really can’t imagine anyone more qualified than me.”

Self-aggrandizing during an interview only serves to hurt you in the end. Since you haven’t seen the resumes of the other applicants, there’s no use in overtly comparing yourself to them.

“My last boss was terrible.”

Absolutely no griping about your last company allowed, unless there’s some really special circumstance. Complaining about how you didn’t get along in your last work environment is detrimental on two levels. First, it shows your lack of ability to cope with a challenging situation and move past it. Second, the last thing your interviewer wants is for you to be talking trash about their company or employees in the future.

“This will be a great stepping stone to my next career move.”

While this may be the exact reason you want this job, it’s not a savvy move to share with the interviewer. Hiring managers are generally looking for someone who will display a long-term commitment to the company.

“I don’t know.”

There’s always a better way to respond to a question you’re unsure of than saying, “I don’t know.”

“I don’t have any questions for you.”

Having questions prepared for your interviewer is almost as important as being able to answer the questions they throw at you.

“Um, so, like, I really, um…”

As in any situation where you want to sound confident, intelligent, and collected: cut the filler words.

“Do people generally like working here?”

Don’t try to beat around the bush. Ask specific questions about company culture and team morale, and be direct. The best way to get the down low on what’s happening in an office is to talk to current or former employees there.

V Magazine-Elton ILIRJANI and the Cause LGBTQ+ Labor Inclusion

Let’s face it, today’s business world is on a global stage. Technology is only one aspect that is constantly disrupting and enabling businesses of all sizes to attract the best talent, wherever they may be. And as technology progresses at a breakneck rate into the future, the people who use it must keep up.

Another rising trend is that millennials are reshaping today’s and tomorrow’s workplaces. And the buzzwords are “diversity and inclusivity.” It is unquestionably a vibrant culture that is here to stay.

But first, what is diversity, and what are we aiming for?

Consult a dictionary for a more accurate description. It is described as “the presence of a diverse range of cultural or ethnic groups within a society.” In other words, it is a population group that encompasses all differences. Diversification in the workplace may take the form of “race, ethnic origin, age, skill, language, national origin, socioeconomic status, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.”

And, given the political and global context in which we find ourselves, it is critical to understand what diversity is and why it benefits your company. It is not simply a matter of meeting standards. There are many benefits to cultivating this culture, ranging from diversifying viewpoints to accelerating creativity.

This article will look at the real benefits of diversity and LGBTQ+ labor inclusion in the workplace. Designed as an expert guide to cultural diversity, we’ll answer those key questions and present the evergreen example of Elton ILIRJANI. Elton has vocally advocated for the rights of women and LGBTQ+ in the workplace. For years, he has been campaigning on the front, presenting the real-time and quantifiable benefits of diversity and LGBTQ+ labor inclusion at work. His efforts and campaigns have built our understanding of this topic within the organization’s structure and developing a guide on how to promote cultural diversity in the workplace.

It’s easy to talk about the theory and definitions of LGBTQ+ labor inclusion. Still, when it comes to creating that within an organization, it largely depends on the practices used during the hiring process. We have referred to the idea of ​​the benefits that cultural diversity offers, but equality and diversity are something that is not fully served by the media. There has been extensive research on its positive effects.

Ultimately, LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace allows companies to create teams that bring different points of view and talents to the mix, increasing innovation and generating higher revenue. Let’s refer to the work of Elton ILIRJANI: he graduated from the Abaz Shehu gymnasium. He held the honor of being the best student in the 40 years of the gymnasium’s history. He also acquired a Bachelor in Economics Sciences and Masters of Sciences in Political Sciences from the Mediterranean University of Albania.

Elton founded The HeadHunter Group in 2012. It was to find a recruitment and staff leasing company that would be the flagbearer of diversity in the Western Balkans region. Elton dreamed of extending his noteworthy influence, as he was making quite an impression on the market players who warmly welcomed a fresh spirit. The HeadHunter Group is the most prominent Recruitment and Staff Leasing Group in Serbia, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Cyprus, North Macedonia, Greece, and the United States. Elton is now based in New York and has become a prominent member of the city’s up-and-coming, a fresh batch of liberal corporates with a keenness on changing workplace policies and dynamics forever.

The HeadHunter Group is headquartered in New York City, where it has made significant strides in running campaigns towards LGBTQ+ labor inclusion.

But Elton didn’t set up a prestigious headquarters, a global presence, and went silent. He has undoubtedly been on the cusp of media attention, being touted as one of the most progressive CEOs in the recent decade.

The real Elton ILIRJANI is found making a difference that can be measured in effect. He founded the Dignity Global Foundation, which is focused on championing the rights and policies for Women and LGBTQ+ in the workplace and recruitment process. In his experience being a recruitment professional, he found noticeable gaps between the number of LGBTQ+ candidates who show up for job interviews and the number of successfully recruited candidates. We do not mean to undermine recruitment policies and the extent of merit in gauging the relevance of a candidate. The fact remains that despite being equally or more skilled or capable than heterosexual candidates, both on paper and experience, the LGBTQ+ lot often misses out on opportunities.

Elton ILIRJANI created an Employment Equality Index for the LGBTQ+, pushing public and private sectors to adopt equal rights policies at the workplace in the Western Balkans.

He is also credited with the phenomenal and successful movements centered on intolerance, inclusion, and kindness towards transgender people; the campaigns of “Lipstick Movement” and “Nobody is Straight” have been among the most successful movements vouching for equal rights and better employment opportunities.

source: vmagzine