Career Tips For Women: How To Succeed In A Workplace Dominated By Men -

In many developed countries of the world
women are beginning to cross boundaries
and limitations of work and are occupying
(as well as doing well) in positions
previously seen as strictly for men. That
there has been progress for women in the
workplace in Nigeria is certain but it is still
a men’s world out there. The 2010
Women’s World data on Labour force
participation showed that men comprise of
over 60% of the active labour force. In 1990
however the percentage was as high as
75%.
Clearly more women are becoming
absorbed into the work place but any
woman with the ambition to reach the
zenith of her career would surely have to
contend with a few men.
This article is not a call to war neither does
it seek to make female career individuals
see the male folk as obstacles. Rather it is
aimed at helping the female worker to
unleash the qualities and talents within and
stretch beyond limitations in achieving their
career goals and objectives.
To shine in a work place dominated by men
here are a few tips to get you started;
Choose the Right Profession
While I do no want to subscribe to the
argument that some professions are not
meant for women I do however feel that
each woman should rather not go for the
sort of career where too much physical
exertion and show of strength is required
unless they are adequately equipped to
contain the demands and grow in such
careers. Choosing the right career is more
about reflecting on what you are much
more likely to enjoy doing. Choosing the
right career also involves taking
consideration of your emotional make-up
(women are generally believed to be more
emotional susceptible at work than men)
and going for a career that will not require
much emotional exhaustion and upheavals.
More especially for women there is
likelihood that when you do what you enjoy
or have passion for the possibility for
success becomes more real.
Don’t Change Who You Are; Just
Communicate More Effectively
Trying to change who you are so as to fit in
and progress as much as the men do in the
organisation is not a wise thing to do. Be
yourself and approach dealings with the
men folk with civility. Don’t come from the
position of a weakling or someone to be
pitied for. Cultivate your qualities and make
your value show to those that matter.
In communicating with your co-workers
and seniors make sure you do not send
wrong signals that can influence men to
see you as something other than a
talented, hardworking woman who deserves
all the respect. At the workplace there is
always the danger of a woman being seen
as little more than an appealing symbol.
Dress and carry yourself the way you want
to be addressed.
Get Mentorship and Training
In a recent study one of the identified
barriers to the career advancement of
women to top management positions was
lack of mentorship/fewer opportunities for
training and development. Obviously it is
more difficult for an aspiring career woman
to find worthy mentors in her field
compared to her male counterpart. Women
have reportedly preferred senior women as
their mentors than men, as they looked
forward to role modeling though many
women also have worked with male
mentors successfully as long as the mentor
– mentee relationship is kept within
boundaries by both parties. Finding a
worthy mentor for yourself can be a
daunting task but you would benefit greatly
if you had successful men and women in
your field you learn from.
Plan Your Family Responsibilities
Many females have reached the pinnacles
of their careers at the detriment of their
families and their health. A good number of
women have problems with juggling roles
as mothers, housewives, home-makers and
managers at work. For women it is more
difficult joggling responsibilities of work
and the home. A good reason why many
organisations hesitate to empower women
and entrust them with more managerial
responsibilities is the conflict they envisage
between their work and family
responsibilities. While there may not be
much to do in this regard as an aspiring
career woman you can plan your family
responsibilities with your husband
including making plans for child planning
and house keeping. Having an easy to
follow plan will help you keep track of your
career trajectory and increase your chances
at building an enviable career.
Persevere and Be Determined
Sometimes as a woman working in some
men dominated areas your voice could
easily be drown in the midst of male
chatter. Your opinions may be overlooked
until you push and push. At the risk of
being termed overbearing some career
women have learnt to force their male co-
workers to respect their contributions in
the workplace. To succeed the way you
want you have to have perseverance and
determination.
source: Ngcareers - Nigeria's top Career
Community

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.10