10 Ways To Be A Successful Career Woman

Have you ever wondered how the women you look up to got to where they are today?How dd some women get so successful in their career? Sometimes when I’m reading about the careers of the successful ladies on Linkedin their status and accomplishments seem way out of reach. It’s easy to feel intimidated by the fast-paced, results-driven career environment we live in today. But being fairly successful myself I know there are at least 10  Ways To Be A Successful Career Woman.

This blog is especially important for career women who are struggling to be successful in the business world. So, sit back and reflect on the  big picture career goals and examine where we are spending our thoughts, energy and time. Everyone’s path is different but you can start using these 10 ways to be a successful career woman.

1. Develop a strong personal brand and be visible

I recommend that women develop a strong personal brand. A strong personal brand and a strong reputation can put you on the radar for exciting career opportunities.

For example I work for one of the major financial institutes & in my region most of my colleagues know me as a Business banker and reach out to me for complicated transactions/dealing. I always take that as a compliment- the fact that my colleagues believe I can handle something regarding business that they can’t help to build my brand as a Business Banker.

You could be an advocate, CEO, doctor or a teacher. You could be in any profession and if you build your brand you are made.

Another advantage of being recognized in your field will help your chances of getting another job quickly in the event 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 in a concise and interesting way. We have all heard of 60 seconds elevator pitch -that’s what I am talking about. Only then we can be successful as career woman.

2. Project confidence as a Career Woman

The more confident and competent you appear, the more you’ll be able to build confidence in your abilities in others. You need to be able to express yourself clearly and be able to ask for what you want or need.

Confidence doesn’t come easy to everyone. But it’s a skill that can be learned. Different job roles require different levels of confidence. As an educator I was extremely confident but when I had to change careers & joined the Corporate world I realized I needed a different type of confidence.

It wasn’t enough that I knew everything that they were talking about in their meetings. I had to make myself heard, be seen. I noticed that people around me didn’t have answers in fact they knew very little about the topic being discussed but they ‘appeared’ knowledgeable  & ‘projected’ confidence by asking questions in a loud & aggressive manner. 

So, what did I did and you can too. I projected confidence.

But being a woman and that too of color I knew that wasn’t enough. So, I would read a lot about my industry. I subscribed to the Wall Street Journal and the Epoch Times. Now I had an edge. I could project confidence because I knew more than most.

I would also advise you to speak more slowly – some of us (including myself!) are naturally fast talkers. Others speak faster when they are nervous. However, speaking too fast might indicate a lack of authority or a lack of confidence, so do slow down and pause after speaking at length.

3. Build your network as a Career woman

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 a piece of career advice for women and men alike.

Like if you were looking to network with women in business in Seattle & Eastside Washington you could join them. I love their motto.

Women Business Owners is a community of business professionals who motivate and support each other to achieve our individual visions of success.

https://womenbusinessowners.org

I want to share a personal story. Since, I had immigrated to USA in 2016 I had a small non-existent network. That really made it difficult to find a job or get sales for my small shop.

Being an introvert didn’t help either. But for me it was very important to be successful in my new career. So, I started to build friendships. I reached out to people in my Corporation and they were all very encouraging.

Reading has always been a passion for me.

These two books are my absolute favorites.

How to Win Friends & Influence People  People

• An Introvert’s guide to Networking.

This helped me and it will help you too in the long run.As things change especially the job situations & if you know someone who knows someone then the chances of you getting employed are much faster.

Companies like Microsoft actually encourage referrals.

4. To be successful career woman 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. Employees who proactively ask for feedback from management and then implement it wisely typically end up being the top performers in their field.

I have consistently asked for feedback & implemented the advice. 

5. Always take on new challenges to be successful 

When asked to do something that excites you but that you aren’t sure you’re completely ready for, always say yes – you’ll figure out the “how” later.

Like I did when I was asked to speak at a conference for Professional Developmentin Taif Saudi Arabia. I had never before spoken on that specific topic, or in front of 200 people.

The prep was stressful but it was an incredible experience that really boosted my confidence. Have the confidence to try new things, or even take a lateral move to get a new perspective.

Always develop & improve strong communication skills. Role -plays help a lot developing strong communication skills. Practice it & you’ll be successful.

6. Important rule to be a Successful career woman ‘Be persistent’

Don’t give up, if you really want that job or promotion. Sometimes things take longer than we’d like. Set yourself goals, and be focused. Write down your goals, review them regularly and get support to achieve them.

Make sure your manager knows what your professional goals are so tell them what you’d like to achieve and ask for any feedback/support if necessary.

Read about SMART Goals here & contact me if you want advice about how to go about setting goals.

For instance my goal was to make a certain $$ amount and be a Manager in 5 years. When I realized it wasn’t happening at my workplace I adjusted. There are opportunities out there.

So, don’t get complacent in your jobs. Be ready to move upwards & if that’s not happening move outside, get out of your comfort zone. 

How Gifts Can Grow Your Business

7. Find a mentor in your field to be successful

The majority of women who have succeeded in their careers and reached a position of influence credit their participation in some sort of mentoring effort for getting them where they are today.

Many organizations like The WIN have women’s initiatives and networks and while they do provide support, women still represent only 25 percent of senior roles globally, and it’s the men who are the decision-makers which has significant implications for female leaders.

The best mentors are often senior women that you establish a relationship with and then they end up being a sounding board for you. Put yourself out there and get to know senior women in your organization and if they reciprocate your interest, you can then build the relationship like you would any other relationship.

8. Be someone people want to work with

You’ll be always recognized at work if you work extra. Also, always behave with integrity and kindness – don’t ever be bitchy at work. 

You could be the most qualified person but if people don’t trust you, or you’re not likeable, it will be hard for you to achieve your career goals.

And that’s where gifts play such a great role. ‘Gifting’ at the workplace is an art and if you can master it then doors will open for you. By no means I am suggesting bribery! Not at all. 

What I am suggesting in my blogs is the power of gifting that can help grow relations at work. I encourage expressing empathy & being honest with your colleagues.

Gifts for Women at Work Blog is about how to use gifts & presents to grow a real business presence- get more business & get along at a diversified workplace.

9. Self-promote helps to be successful in your career

A lot of women feel uncomfortable talking about their accomplishments. However, if nobody apart from people you work closely with knows about your contributions, you’re in a more vulnerable position in case of any organizational changes.

To me self-promotion was bragging. But when one of my then Manager pointed out that no one will know what great things you are doing with customers unless you tell them I learnt fast.

If self-promotion doesn’t come naturally to you, there are other ways to show your areas of expertise. In most organizations, there are ways that you can demonstrate your knowledge. 

It might be as simple as sending a monthly email to your boss and his/her boss to keep them updated on the progress of various projects and any accomplishments. This will definitely set you on the path of being a successful career woman.

10.Always have a current resume

Last but not the least is having a current resume. Without a well-written, well-organized resume, you won’t be able to take advantage of opportunities that come your way. My most important career advice for women is to learn how to write a resume that will make you competitive in today’s market.

If you feel intimidated by the prospect, using a professional resume builder can help. These tools will guide you step-by-step through the process of creating an updated, modern resume. And, to round out your application materials, a professional cover letter builder can help you write a cover letter that emphasizes the most impressive credentials on your new resume. I am an expert at both and will be happy to help.

Then you need to be ready for that interview for your dream job or any job. I would suggest watching videos on youtube. Preparation is the key to success. Check out Brigette Hyacinth advice.

Conclusion

To conclude in today’s very competitive job market we women need all the help we can get to be successful in our careers. All the 10 Tips that I shared I have personally used to be successful. My goal here is to help women grow in their careers and reach great heights. So, follow these 10ways to be a successful career woman and let me know how it changed your life.

Thanks for stopping by.