March 8 marks a milestone in the recognition of the economic, political and social contributions of women in a global context. That’s because March 8 is International Women’s Day.
Women have come a long way in the workplace, but they still struggle with issues of lower compensation and leadership promotions.
In a recent global survey by Accenture, women and men reported an almost equal level of dissatisfaction with their jobs. Women, however, cited compensation gaps, a lack of opportunity for growth or no opportunity for career advancement, and feeling trapped as the top reasons for job dissatisfaction.
The report also confirmed women and men perceive career advancement differently. For example, 68 percent of women attributed career advancement to hard work and long hours. Women are also less likely to ask for a pay increase than men.
The study also found found that when women want to expand their knowledge and advance their careers, rather than just looking for a new job, women are more likely to turn to training and networking with people who can help them reach their goals. Interestingly, over 80 percent of employers do not offer training or networking programs specifically for women.
In the past, men were in the majority in the workplace, and company cultures were designed primarily for a male workforce. Today’s workplace is different. One result of the recent recession is a shift in the workforce. Women now are in the majority, and with this change comes an opportunity to find ways to make the workplace more satisfying for men and women.
Although women represent the majority in today’s workforce, advancing to senior management remains a challenge. Glass ceilings have long been a workplace issue for women, and in spite of their growing numbers, women still face barriers to moving up.
Some of the challenges to advancement are inherit to the work environment but some can be self-directed. There are some things women can do to help promote their value and achieve their career goals.
Here are some ideas women can use to keep their careers moving forward so they can take advantage of this historic turning point in the workplace:
• Seek out a mentor to help prepare you for leadership opportunities.
• Feeling trapped is not the same thing as being trapped. Recognizing your strengths and untapped areas of growth gives you more control over your career choices.
• Know what makes you unique and be able to verbalize your contributions. You can do this without sounding egocentric by telling a story about your accomplishments.
• Stereotypes do exist in the marketplace, but they do not have to define you, and understanding them can help you manage perceptions. Develop good relationships with people in your field, and take the initiative to develop new skill sets.
• Self-talk is critical to reaching your career goals. Learn to observe those around you, and pay attention to women who are successful in leadership positions. Avoid falling into the victim role.
Even though companies are encountering a more diverse workforce than in the past, don’t wait for them to take care of your career objectives. You need to take the initiative to build relationships.
How do you think the increasing number of women in the workplace is changing the culture?
