It is often said that men apply for roles two years before they are ready - and women two years after. This is usually because women want to be sure they can do all aspects of the job before applying (we like to be able to tick all the boxes), whereas men are more willing to 'have a go' and learn by doing. It is all about confidence rather than a lack of capability.
At Brunel University we have launched a new programme to help to address this and to encourage more of our female students to consider a career in business. The programme is not necessarily about getting through the much-publicised 'glass ceiling', more about getting young women to actually think about a career in business in the first place.
Through Women into Business, a series of workshops running in addition to our students' undergraduate or postgraduate courses, inspirational women from the business world who have fought their way to the top are sharing their experiences and top tips. Here is some emerging insight and advice from the programme.
Career planning is not an activity that the majority of people undertake - as many of us do not have a clear idea of where we want to go. The trick is to recognise opportunities that can move us up the career ladder in a direction that, at a particular time, is appropriate. Being proactive at work, approachable and professional, and developing a reputation for not just 'doing the job' but going over and above expectations, will often bring opportunities. Friends, family and other networks are also a source of information about what is going on and where opportunities might arise. The key is to be aware of what is going on and if there is an opportunity to consider what it offers; more responsibility, a chance to try something new, a way of improving existing or developing new skills, or a means of being in contact and networking with people who can 'open' other doors. The ability to recognise and take opportunities, even if they are not leading to where we initially think we want to go, is vital.
Also key to career progression is finding appropriate role models (and mentors) and the development of strategies to help us deal with the knock-backs that we will inevitably face as we move through our careers. Many of the women delivering our workshops still have mentors who they consult and bounce ideas around with - mentors keep them focused, on target. A lot of organisations now run mentoring schemes for their staff, and that can be a good place to start, but sometimes this raises concerns that what we say could be fed back to our boss (although in a genuine mentoring relationship conversations are always confidential). An alternative is to network, talk to people, and be brave enough to ask.
A mentor does not have to be far more experienced - they can be a peer who is on a similar journey where experiences can be shared. A mentor is not there to give advice or tell the mentee what to do, their role is to enable the mentee to set goals and develop an action plan in order to progress in their career. It should also be noted that a mentoring relationship is not for life, it is for a specified period of time, and many of us will have a number of mentors during our careers - each bringing the skills and experience that we need at particular times.
It is often felt that women frequently suffer from a reluctance to say 'no' in the mistaken belief that by being all things to all people they will progress more rapidly - or because they feel that if they say 'no' people will think less of them. As a result, we often take on more than we can cope with and can end up working overlong hours, or performing poorly - to the detriment of our health and career. We need to learn how to get our voice heard, how to say 'no' gracefully, but firmly, and if we do feel obliged to say 'yes' how to negotiate effectively to still end up in a win-win situation.
Saying 'no' can be difficult, it requires a calm and reasoned response, delivered politely and firmly (but not aggressively) with empathy and, wherever possible, an alternative solution. Using the word 'no' backed up by positive body language is far more effective than saying "I don't think so" or "I would rather not". But above all remain calm, don't let emotion (guilt, for example) or pressure cloud your judgement and colour your responses - remember it is always acceptable to ask for time to think things over. And if we do say yes - well, we are back to being calm and reasonable and asking the question: "Okay, if I do this, can XYZ help me with that?" or "really happy to do this for you, but it does mean that I will be unable to do that, can you suggest a way forward?"
Despite the ongoing drive for equality, many women still find themselves competing in a male workplace (sometimes to their detriment). Understanding the difference in men's and women's styles and how to build a bridge between them, the benefits of effective communication skills and developing ideas and finding a way to make things happen are all skills that will build confidence and equip us to compete effectively with our male counterparts. Communication skills are key - hearing and understanding what is actually being said (rather than what we think is being said), and knowing how to get our point across in a reasoned and effective way, and in a way that is appropriate for the particular audience, will go a long way to making us stand out. It is generally accepted that women tend to have more empathy, whereas men usually just want to cut to the chase.
Pauline Seston, employability and entrepreneurship consultant, Brunel University
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