Career Advice for Women - How not to get screw*d! (Let's begin)
Updated: Nov 24, 2023
Introduction – spoiler alert
The intent of what will become my book is simple. You don't need to read 500 pages and hopefully find 'the answer' somewhere between the lines. We are all time poor, so I will impart the books message to you upfront and save you some time (you can throw it out then if you want). But, before you do, the remainder of the book is a long-held dream and hopefully through the collected advice and wisdom of other fabulous women, you might find something else between the pages that will help you along your journey.
Acknowledgement
Similar to my Doctoral dissertation (see how I slipped that in there), I wrote my acknowledgement at the beginning of the process as a means to inspire me and keep me on track with my purpose. Thus: This book is for every woman who wished she could but thought she couldn’t. The if only lesson (if only I was thinner, taller, younger, older, more educated, prettier, blonde, smarter, better at math, more confident, more ready - you get the point) is one I have learnt over many years with equal parts success and failure. I don't want you to say 'if only'. I want you to believe you can do it, and reach for your goals, whatever they may be.
See book cover below - a work in progress.
What's with the book cover? It's not just about shoes.
The shoes are a symbolic 'riff' on the saying 'wears many hats'. Noting the many roles and responsibilities that women juggle on a daily (and hourly) basis. I’ve worked in many workplaces where women will have a variety of shoes at their desk and/or their car – always at the ready and prepared to adapt to their ever-changing circumstances. From the walk to work shoes and a quick change in the office, from office shoes to workboots to go onsite, to comfy shoes for cross campus meetings, and/or the power shoes, to show up for a meeting or an event. The search for the perfect pair of shoes ‘for work’ is often a topic of conversation, and akin to a treasure hunt (try googling comfortable work shoes if you don’t believe me). It is not just about a pair of shoes though. The deeper meaning is that women like to be prepared for the changing circumstances work and life throw at them, whether being dressed right for an opportunity (the CEO might call), the need to cover off a lot of territory during their day (reflective of their busy schedules), or simple comfort acknowledging the diversity in their days (home, school, daycare, work, pickups, drop-offs, second jobs, events etc). I know a number of women who check their calendars prior to selecting their shoes and/or outfits for the day and/or week ahead. The perfect work shoe can be like the perfect workplace or role, both coveted and elusive! I know men might do this too, but remember I am not writing about them. They can do that for themselves.
The Point - Spoiler Alert!
Returning to the point (see back on track). The sad truth is for many of us, we screw ourselves through our lack of belief in our abilities and ourselves, through self-doubt and a lack of confidence. Sometimes we are crippled by imposter syndrome, and sometimes yes, we are hampered by means and opportunities. But I have met many women, hampered by means and opportunity who had the self-confidence to ‘have a crack’ and have been very successful. And by the power of the universe – I am in awe of them, and I think we all have lessons we can learn from them. Sometimes friends, more often than not, we simply screw ourselves by not applying for the roles and positions that we want, because we don’t believe we are ready. You might have heard the statistic that men will apply for a role when they meet only 60% of criteria and women apply only if they meet 100% or more! Let’s stop that confidence gap right now!!!!!!
So that's it.
Promised I would be short and sweet. But until next time, I want you to mull some of this information over and I want to leave you with this question. What career advice would you give to your younger self, to a friend, or a younger person (daughter, son, niece, nephew)...somebody you love and care about?
And think about the below.
Until next time friends stay strong and sassy.
Kym
I love, love, love reading these Kym. I needed you in my life 20 years ago. Maybe I would have developed that self-confidence that I, like you, admire so much in others.