Advice for Female Job Seekers Move Beyond the Asterisks

Advice for Female Job Seekers Move Beyond the ‘Asterisks’ Advice for Female Job Seekers Move Beyond the ‘Asterisks’ 2If you aspire to a leadership role, you need to learn some strategies and skills that can pave your way to the management track and, ultimately, the C-level. Yet when it comes to career advancement into top positions, women face some specific challenges that have been well-documented in research- and these challenges can extend to the job search. Gender Inequality and Double Standards For example, part of successful leadership is simply taking the steps needed to become successful in the first place. Yet as Marianne Cooper noted in Harvard Business Review, when a woman is perceived to be more successful, she is less liked. Cooper gives instances of this gender-based double standard, pointing out that unlike their male counterparts, female leaders are often “applauded for delivering results at work but then reprimanded for being ‘too aggressive,’ ‘out for herself,’ ‘difficult,’ and ‘abrasive.’” You can see how these themes might play out just as easily during the interview process as after you land the job. Another way that gender inequities are reflected at the leadership level hits the bottom line. A new study by Joseph Grenny and David Maxfield shows that when women act as leaders and are equally as assertive or forceful as their male coworkers, these women face severe penalties. Not only does their perceived competency take a nosedive (dropping by 35%), but their perceived worth also plummets over $15,000. In a job search, this kind of dynamic could conceivably affect the salary that you’re offered. Overcoming Inequality to Reach the C-Suite How can women overcome these emotional inequalities in the workplace and job market to take their rightful place alongside men in the boardroom and the C-suite? For starters, you can learn what not  to do, according to Krista Anderson-Copperman, chief customer officer at Okta. I spoke with Anderson-Copperman recently near Okta’s offices in San Francisco, where she shared her philosophy of “no asterisks.” She describes a no-asterisks approach as avoiding women’s tendency to feel that they must add or say something extra to be considered “worthy” professionally. Women can easily fall into asterisks mentality by adding too many caveats to their statements during the search process, whether in a phone screen, cover letter, interview, or networking event. These verbal hedges (whether spoken or in writing) can make you sound less qualified and capable than you really are. By avoiding tacking on these asterisks in the form of apologies, justifications, safety blankets, or polite interruptions, you can present yourself more powerfully and authentically to recruiters and hiring managers, increasing your chances to land the opportunity you want. Here is Anderson-Copperman’s advice for female job seekers to take a no-asterisks approach when looking for work or trying to land a leadership opportunity: Go ‘no holds barred.’ Confidence in the job search begins with which opportunities you go after, Anderson-Copperman emphasized.  â€œDon’t be afraid to apply just because you don’t meet every ‘requirement’ on the listing,” she said. “Know your worth, believe that you can succeed, and apply for the position- because establishing your drive is what will land you the job.” Next, she advised being prepared to take a no-asterisks approach to how you present yourself in the interview. “Refrain from sprinkling apologies into the interview if you don’t fulfill every item on their checklist, and erase ‘I feel’ and ‘I believe’ from your vocabulary to show confidence in how your skills can overcome or supersede any gaps,” said Anderson-Copperman. Pay attention to what you say, and how you say it. The CCO next shared that adopting a no-asterisks approach was part of what helped her advance to the C-level. She explained that developing self-awareness of her limiting habits and tendencies helped her modify her actions and choices to reflect stronger executive presence. As Anderson-Copperman made changes to zap “asterisks” language from her speech, she started to see that her colleagues listened and responded to her differently than before. “It wasn’t an immediate ‘aha!’ moment,” she said, “but one that built over time as the way people perceived me began to change little by little.” Ditch the disclaimers. If you present yourself authentically and confidently to potential employers and managers, you will command respect from them, advised Anderson-Copperman. “Confidence and authenticity establish credibility and inspire trust: trust in your ideas, your worthiness, and your ability to lead,” she said. “Act like you are deserving of every opportunity you desire, because you are. If you have faith in yourself, then those who surround you will develop faith in you as well.” Start Your Job Search