The job market does not always seem fair for women. While you might be qualified for a job – even over male candidates – it is hard to forget that certain prejudices still exist in the modern workplace. That does not mean you should not apply for every job that you want.
Changing your behavior is not the thing to do to help you get a job, however. If you are a professional, you probably already do everything right. The issue is how you can deal with workplace prejudice and get the job you want.
Use this guide to help you find the right job and land it. Once you are in your new role, you will be able to prove you deserve every penny.
Send a Pro Cover Letter
One of the biggest things that can set any woman apart from colleagues is a killer cover letter that immediately sets up how professional you are. List achievements, goals and get right down to business as fast as possible.
This immediate professional identity will help you down the road.
Show Up Early
For many professionals, being told to show up early for a job interview does not seem like much advice at all. Of course, you are going to show up early, right? The problem is that for many women trying to enter a new workplace, you may be facing some prejudice about women having too much to do in their personal lives to be on time.
When you have an important job interview, showing up at least 30 minutes early is always wise. It could take you time to find parking, locate the office you are supposed to visit and do basic things like use the restroom if you must.
Attire Matters
It is a terrible thing to say, but if you walk into a workplace with a boss who has some sort of prejudice that you do not know about, what you wear to the interview matters. Of course, that does not mean that you should be wearing things that are specifically flattering or designed to get the attention of men.
Instead, you need to make sure that your business professional attire is right for the environment and spot-on in terms of polish. That means perfectly polished shoes, pressed slacks – if you are wearing them – and other spotless parts of your wardrobe.
How you look should not be that important, but looking like a professional individual really cannot hurt.