Excel in a male-dominated field

Welcome to Career Insider. Some industries are dominated by men, like pilots, firefighters, computer science (and engineering in general), and many others. According to one report, females comprise only 25% of C-suite leaders in corporate America.

If you’re a woman, what can you do to excel in a male-dominated career?

If you’re not (or even if you are!), we’re giving you the straight scoop on how to ace every interview you’ll ever do from here on out.

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CAREER
Imposter syndrome and how to handle being a woman in a male-dominated field

Struggling with excelling in a career field dominated by men? Here’s how it’s done.

Make a list of your achievements

Write it all down. Put it somewhere you can see, like on your mirror when you get ready in the morning or a corkboard in your office. Use it to remind yourself that you are strong, capable, and intellectual, and your company is lucky to have you.

Recognize imposter syndrome for what it is

When those negative thoughts and doubts start to creep in, acknowledge them for what they are. Trying to ignore or quash those thoughts and feelings rather than address them will only strengthen them. Instead, challenge them head-on with your list of badassery from step one.

Build a support system

Join a networking group. Find a mentor at work. Talk to your friends and colleagues about your feelings and you’ll likely find you’re not alone. Your support system can offer encouragement and perspective when you need it.

Set realistic goals

Break large goals down into smaller, more attainable ones. Celebrate each win along the way, and don’t let setbacks get to you. Remember that every failure is a learning experience and one step closer to success.

Focus on learning and growth over trying to prove yourself

Shift the focus from constantly trying to prove yourself to prioritizing learning and personal growth. For example, instead of fixating on the responsibility of being the only female voice on your team, focus on expanding your skills and knowledge to contribute meaningfully to discussions and projects.

Practice self-compassion

Your inner voice or how you speak to yourself can often be your biggest critic. Try to treat yourself with the same grace and compassion as you would your best friend. What would you say to your best friend if they told you they missed a deadline or messed up a big presentation? Probably not the harsh things you think of yourself when the same happens to you. Give yourself the same grace you’d give a close friend or family member.

RESUMES
How to ace every interview you’ll ever do

Hiring managers interview many candidates, and so many make the same (avoidable) mistakes. Here are 7 tips from an interviewing expert to nail the interview every time.

Do your research

Fully research the company you are interviewing for. If you are told your interviewer's name, look them up on the company website. Ensuring you’re equipped with any and all knowledge available to the public will not only give the impression of a good work ethic and an eagerness to take on the role, but it will also give you a base understanding of the company so you can ask more specific questions of your interviewer.

Know exactly what they’re looking for based on the job posting

What keywords and phrases are used in the job posting? What type of employee are they specifically looking for? For example, do they emphasize team players, or are they seeking more of a self-motivated person? Use the job posting to outline what skills and qualifications you should highlight within your interview answers.

Create a “cheat sheet” laying out your key points and achievements ahead of time to reference during the interview

Start with a brief summary of your experience—think 30 seconds. What achievements do you want to mention? Note any numbers or metrics you can use to drive your point home. 

For example, “I increased sales” is less effective than “I increased sales by 32% over a 6-month period”. Additionally, consider your answers to those often uncomfortable questions that can catch interviewees off guard. Examples include  “Tell me about yourself and why are you interested in this role?” and the dreaded “What’s your biggest weakness?”. 

Having well-thought-out and concise answers prepared will help you answer these more confidently and ensure you touch on each point you want to make during the interview.

Be the person they want to work with

Be positive. No one wants to work with a complainer. Even if it feels truthful, avoid bad-mouthing your current or previous employers, bosses, etc. Additionally, you should dress the part. Ensuring your appearance reflects your work ethic and eagerness to impress is always a good route. Remember, you only get one chance to make a good first impression.

Ask the right questions

Use this opportunity to better understand the company, role, and expectations and drive home the key messages you’d like to get across. For example, if the job posting heavily emphasizes data-driven results, you could ask, “What metrics or goals will my performance be evaluated against?”. This will give you a better understanding of the expectations for the position and demonstrate the desired data-focused mindset.

Practice

Practice your answers with a friend or even in the car—just saying the words out loud is incredibly effective in helping you hone and remember your points and building confidence.

 Be [slightly] early

We all know you should plan to be at an interview early. However, there is such a thing as too early. You don’t want your interviewer to feel like they must scramble to move their schedule around because you’re sitting in the lobby 45 minutes before your interview. Similarly, you don’t want them to receive a popup notification that you’re waiting for them in a Teams or Zoom meeting while they’re still in the middle of their previous meeting. A good rule of thumb is 10 minutes early for in-person interviews and 5 minutes early for online.

Send a thank-you email

Send a brief email thanking your interviewer for their time and the opportunity to learn more about the role. This gesture drives home the idea that you are the ideal candidate, someone who respects and appreciates other people’s time and support and would be a pleasure to work with.

CLICKS
Career news and insights worthy of your click

• She got turned down for a job because she didn’t wear makeup? Blunt advice about how your appearance matters.
  

• Top myths that you can safely ignore during your job search.
  

• Ghost jobs don’t exist, and applying for them will waste your time. Here’s how to spot one.
  

• Overconfidence will destroy your career, and here’s why.