Making A Remarkable Career: Women discuss how they approach work and life

The Impact on Business of the Gender Gap

Despite gains in the workplace the number of women at senior levels in companies is still low. In a recent Mckinsey article (www.mckinseyquarterly.com) research was cited that in Europe and the US those companies that had more senior level women tended to perform better financially. Another benefit to hiring and retaining women at all levels is to grow a company’s talent pool at a time when many industries are experiencing shortages of critical knowledge and skills.

The report also notes that coaching and mentoring programmes help female executives succeed by giving them the confidence and support to seek out new positions more aggressively.

UK Resource Centre for Women in Technology

Half a million women in the UK are qualified in either science, engineering or technology (SET) - but less than a third work in those sectors, all of which are suffering a severe skills shortage, set to get worse in the coming decades.

The UKRC for Women in SET works to significantly improve the participation and position of women in science, engineering and technology occupations in industry, research, academia and public service to benefit the future productivity of the UK and the lifetime earnings and career aspirations of women. It is the UK’s leading Centre providing information and advisory services to employers and organisations in the SET sectors and supporting women entering, returning and progressing in these fields. http://www.ukrc4setwomen.org/

Using Social Media for Career Networking

Social media is a great way to stay in touch with people, keep them informed on you and your situation and for you to know what changes are happening in others' lives. For example if someone changes job, is promoted or is moving to another country this is a good opportunity to get in touch and offer your congratulations. Over time you build up a wealth of relationships.

But use it wisely. Employers and Head Hunters do search social media sites for further information on potential hires so you don’t want to include very personal information or wild party photos.

The following are good sites to get started with:

LinkedIn – find potential clients, service providers, subject experts, and partners who come recommended.
Facebook – attracts people of all ages and interests. Facebook is made up of many networks, each based around a company, region, or school. Join the networks that reflect your real-life communities to learn more about the people who work, live, or study around you.
Blogs – you can create your own special interest blog on an area of work that particularly interests you and establishes you as an expert in your field. You can start to build relationships and a dialogue with people who leave comments on your blog. Or you can contribute your thoughts on other people’s blogs.
Discussion Forums – if you belong to a professional organization then they usually have discussion forums where you can post questions around your chosen topic and start a dialogue with a fellow professional.

Where Women Want to Work TOP 50

The Times has published the Top 50 organisations for recruiting and retaining female talent. The TOP 50 is about providing insightful information about 50 of the UK's largest and most progressive employers. To view the list click here - http://www.wheretowork.com/top50/top50_2008.asp

10 Steps to Achieve Your Career Goals

When a recent US survey asked people what got in the way of them achieving their goals, the most common reasons given were procrastination (33%); lack of discipline (24%); not having a plan (19%) and having to do it alone (10%).

When there is economic uncertainty then your focus is naturally on the immediate future, but you shouldn't lose sight of the fact that when things turn around there are usually lots of opportunities for those who are prepared. This can be a good time to stay ahead of the curve, and make plans to achieve your personal and professional goals.

Step 1: Make sure you really want your goal. If it's getting a Board position, setting up your business or working part-time, imagine in detail how great life will be when you do this.

Step 2: Write your goals down. Put them somewhere you can see them and cut out pictures to inspire you on a daily basis. One research study which tracked a number of graduates over a 20 year period showed that those who had written down their goals were more successful in many of the things that they had achieved.

Step 3: Is your goal SMART? Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time Framed.

Step 4: Devise a time plan. One month, 3 month, 6, month and your steps to getting there.

Step 5: What small actions can you take straight away to get you on your journey? Do them and then plan some more. Set review dates. Check in with your progress each month so you can see how well you are doing and then celebrate! Buy something small or treat yourself to something that will mark your progress.

Step 6: Make yourself accountable to someone. Don't go it alone. Ask a friend/partner to join you or support you to help keep you focused and on track.

Step 7: Foresee pitfalls. Plan for any unexpected or known events that could throw you off course. Predict other people's negative responses and be realistic about what can be achieved.

Step 8: What might be the hidden bonus of failing? It's a big question but sometimes we do self-sabotaging and damaging things in order to prove ourselves right. "See I told you/ I was useless/am not qualified/always get looked over for promotion" could be your mantra for keeping you stuck in your "safe" misery.

Step 9: Write out what you gain and lose by change and what you gain and lose by staying the same.

Step 10: Be committed to your success. When you say you are going to do something and you do, it sends a tremendously positive message to your psyche.