While women’s career paths have often been bumpy, women are represented in the workforce in greater numbers than ever and holding a higher percentage of managerial and executive jobs than in the past. There are a lot more women-owned businesses than in the past.
Following these ten tips for women looking to advance their careers is a step in the right direction.
- Always have a current resume – Without a well-written, well-organized resume, you won’t be able to take advantage of opportunities that come your way. Important career advice for women is to learn how (or get assistance like Job Skills offers!) to write a resume that will make you competitive in today’s market. And, to round out your application materials, a professional cover letter will emphasize the most impressive credentials on your new resume.
- Develop a strong personal brand and be visible – A strong personal brand and a strong reputation can put you on the radar for exciting career opportunities. Also, being recognized in your field will help your chances of quickly getting another job if you are ever laid off. So, get visible and make sure you are clear on what your unique skills and accomplishments are. You need to be able to tell your career story concisely and interestingly.
- Build your network – Network both inside and outside of your organization so that you have options if your situation changes. You want people to remember your name when interesting projects are being discussed. Get to know the right people and impress them with your work. Building a strong network is worth time and effort – this is career advice for everyone.
- Ask for feedback – Excellent career advice is to ask for feedback. The only way to improve is to know what to improve on. Feedback will help you meet expectations and avoid any miscommunications that might jeopardize your prospects for growth. Individuals who proactively ask for feedback- including after an interview if possible – can typically implement it wisely.
- Take on new challenges – If you’re asked to do something that excites you but that you aren’t sure you’re completely ready for, consider saying yes – you’ll figure out the “how” later. Having the confidence to try new things, or even take a lateral move to get a fresh perspective will build your confidence and create new opportunities.
- Project confidence – The more confident and competent you appear, the more you’ll be able to build confidence in your abilities in others. You need to express yourself clearly and be able to ask for what you want or need. Speak slowly, be prepared and know your audience to project the best ‘you.’
- Be persistent – To be successful in your job search, write down your goals, review them regularly and get support to achieve them. Procrastinating often makes meeting goals overwhelming. Review your professional goals, get any assistance you need, determine what you want to achieve, and ask for feedback and support if possible
- Be someone people want to work with – Behave with integrity, sincerity and professionalism when applying for a job or in your current job. You may be the most qualified person. However, your behaviour and the impression you portray will make a big difference in advancing your career goals.
- Plan your career – Career planning is significant for women, who might have more barriers (i.e. family obligations) to deal with. Having career goals will not only allow you to track your progress, but it will allow you to make alterations if your circumstances change.
- Find a mentor – The majority of women who have succeeded in their careers and reached a position of influence credit their participation in some mentoring effort for getting them where they are today. The best mentors are often senior women with whom you establish a relationship and who allow you to discuss challenges and successes as you move along your career path.
Register to participate in the online ‘Networking and Direct Approach‘ workshop on May 13th, 10:00 am – 11:00 am. Job Skills can connect you with an employment consultant and has more than 40 online workshops to assist you in your job search. Watch for the dates and times to register for any of our online workshops, as well as lots of excellent links and resources to assist you!
