Without a doubt, women have come a long way in the workplace
over the course of the last fifty years. Once confined to only a few positions
that were deemed suitable for them, women are now visible in virtually every
segment of the workforce. From construction sites to corporate boardrooms, many
of the outmoded stereotypes and social stigmas that once served to segregate
men and women in the workplace have been dismantled and discarded.
Despite the considerable progress that’s been made, though,
women still face unique challenges in the workplace. Getting recognized and
rewarded for a job well done can still be a daunting task in even the most
progressive work environments, and it can be a particularly tall order in the
hospitality industry, which remains largely male-dominated, particularly in
supervisory, managerial, and executive leadership roles.
They say old habits die hard, but sometimes all it takes is
a little strategic intervention to help break decades-old traditions that have
long since outlived their usefulness. These simple tips may be all it takes to
set your career path for success.
- Become Indispensable. Women in male-dominated fields
often have to prove themselves worthy of promotion time and time again
before they’re finally rewarded with opportunities for advancement. Pay
your dues. Develop expert knowledge and skills in your chosen field.
Cultivate niche talents and abilities that few others can lay claim to.
Make your advancement in the organization a foregone conclusion.
- Give Credit Where Credit
Is Due -- Even If It’s To You. Connie Glaser, an expert on women in the workplace and author
of Swim with the Dolphins: How Women
Can Succeed In Corporate America On Their Own Terms, points out that
even the most successful women are often hesitant to lay claim to their
own successes and triumphs. While humility is a virtue, you may be
diminishing the impact of your contributions if you fail to take credit
for your hard work. Although it may feel awkward, force yourself to take
credit for your successes from time to time, especially during chats with
upper-level leaders.
- Take Full Advantage of
Mentoring Programs, Leadership Initiatives, Company Committees, and Other
Networking Opportunities. Carve out the time in your schedule and commit yourself to
these types of “extracurricular” activities. In order to maximize your
chances of success, never pass up an opportunity to demonstrate your
dedication, expand your network, and maybe even learn a few new things in
the process.
- Perfect Your Pitch. Invest a couple of hours in
crafting a short and to-the-point statement that outlines why you are the
right candidate for the big promotion. Forego the overly assertive
approach in favor of a friendly, factual summary of your accomplishments
and qualifications. You never know when the right moment may present
itself, so it pays to be prepared.
- Take a Long-Term View. If you’re passed over for a
promotion that you had your heart set on, take a deep breath -- it may not
have been the right role for you. Try to adopt a broad view of the
organization, your relationship to it, and your future with the company.
Fixating on a single “dream job” may close your eyes to other
opportunities you hadn’t even dreamed of yet.