Serving on non-profit boards – good for you, good for the community!
September 30, 2011
By Susan Wareham McGrath
Today, I’m writing about a career development strategy, which comes with an altruistic bonus - serving on a third sector (non-profit, charity or community) board or management committee.
While these positions are generally unpaid, they are an excellent way to build professional reputations, develop a high profile, obtain leadership experience and take the first step towards gaining experience that could lead to a paid position on a corporate or government board in the future.
Taking on a board or management committee role is a significant commitment, both personally and professionally, so there are a number of things to consider before deciding to apply.
Mission and Values
Firstly, you need to ensure that your personal ethics and drive are congruent with the mission, vision and day to day work of the board you are considering – there is no point, for example, in an animal liberationist seeking a position on the management committee of a fishing club, or someone with no interest in business joining the board of the local Chamber of Commerce – in both cases, it will only be a matter of time before you lose interest and leave.
Time Considerations
You also need to ensure that you have sufficient time and motivation to carry out the requirements of the role. While meetings themselves might only be scheduled for a few hours each month, there is generally a lot of outside hours work required of board members, for example reading and considering agenda items, perusing financials, preparing reports, sometimes representing the board or committee at forums and other public events, taking part in fundraising activities and often participating in discussions with your board colleagues outside scheduled meetings.
Reputation
The reputation of the board and the organisation, their legal history and financial viability are also important considerations, as board and management committee members have legal, financial and governance responsibilities that must be addressed.
Before Committing…
Before committing to join a board, you should also think about issues such as your fit with existing board members, the board’s governance framework and policies, its training for new board members and whether the role on offer is a good match with your own background, skills and experience.
There is a lot to consider in deciding whether to make the commitment to join a third sector board, just as there is in deciding to take on any leadership role. But finding the right board is well worth the effort, not only from the career perspective, but also from the perspective of having the opportunity to bring your expertise to the table, to support a cause you care about.
This is the last post in the 30 Days to a Great Career series!
We hope you’ve enjoyed the great career tips and inspiration to help advance your career this month. Read all herCareer posts here.
MOST RECENT 30 DAYS TO A GREAT CAREER POSTS
- Forget work/life balance; work/life fit is better for you
- Approaching Your Boss – a Mentoring Perspective
- Grammatical glitches that spell “disaster” for job applicants
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Susan Wareham McGrathSusan Wareham McGrath is a skilled and experienced Australian visa and immigration consultant; jobsearch strategist and career management consultant; professional writer, blogger and social commentator. She holds a degree in psychology, an advanced diploma in human resource management, a post graduate qualification in public policy development, a national training accreditation and registration as an Australian migration agent with the Migration Agents Registration Authority. Susan is a strong advocate for the personal and professional advancement of women, and after serving as an Advisory Board Member of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network since 2007 is now the ABN’s National Special Projects Manager.
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Developing an Asia Plan for Your Future
September 29, 2011
By Amy Lyden, Australian Businesswomen’s Network Advocacy Advisor
I have been participating in a program called the AsiaLink Leaders Program for the past 8 months and never has a course/program shifted my thinking and challenged me so. The objective of the program is to have deeper Australia-Asia engagement. We have been learning high-level cultural intelligence skills to manage the complexity of Australia-Asia relations.
Last week, the group convened for a five-day retreat in Canberra. The topic was “Developing an Australian ‘Asia Plan’” and a big part of this plan is of course China. At the retreat, we had the opportunity to meet with various Asian Ambassadors, top government officials and current politicians to discuss Australia’s Asian Plan.
We Really Have Been “The Lucky Country”:
We are living in a time of uncertainty. However, Australia has escaped a true recession in the aftermath of the GFC. We are lucky. And we should be thanking China for this luck. Our trading with China was one of the key lifesavers for us. Other parts of the world haven’t been so lucky: the US’ unemployment rate is 9.1%, the EU is nearly at breaking point. Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank recently warned “the world is in a danger zone”. Can Australia simply rest on its laurels (i.e., resources) and hope for the best? No, we need to be thinking ahead and being proactive.
The Opportunity:
We need to get outside of our comfort zone to secure our future. The 21st Century will be the Asian Century – if we want to grow with Asia, we need to do some work.
I believe Australia can uniquely position itself as an innovative country that provides knowhow to the Asian region. We are in a perfect position – we know and understand US/European culture and have strong alliances here. We are part of Asia geographically and increasingly more so culturally, with over 600,000 people here of Asian descent and growing. We have the opportunity to provide unique services to the region. Let’s look at China as an example.
China – the Threat and the Opportunity:
It is the first time in history that Australia’s major trading partner (China) is NOT our strategic partner (USA). We like the economic benefit of having China as our major trading partner, yet feel threatened by them as outlined in the Department of Defence’s white paper, “Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030” (2009).
China is very sensitive to this perception of it being a threat. The Chinese Ambassador to Australia, H.E. Mr. Chen Yuming spoke to our group about the problems associated with its tremendous growth over the last few years. There are still 180 million people living below the poverty line. They are trying to shift from being a manufacturing nation to a consumption nation. To put it in perspective, if we compare world ranking GDP per capita – Australia is 7th, US is 10th and China is 91st (Source: International Monetary Fund 2010). They still have a long way to go to create better lives for their people. This is China’s challenge.
China is keen for peaceful development. Quite frankly, they have enough on their plate trying to deal with domestic issues. But it is a challenge for Australia. China’s closed political process, South China Sea territorial claims and its opaque legal system absolutely present challenges for us as Australians. But perhaps we can try to find some common ground.
Australian Business in China:
There is a HUGE opportunity for Australian businesses in China. I’m not simply talking about the obvious mining and energy. Food security is a major issue for the future; Australia is in a position to assist with this. There are abundant opportunities for service businesses in China, services that will help them with their exponential growth of urban cities – design services, architecture and education to name a few.
For example, Chengdu is a city in Southwest China where over 10 million people reside. It is one of the fastest growing “2nd Tier” cities in China. There are many opportunities here and other 2nd and 3rd tier cities. It comes down to creating customers by helping them solve a problem.
In my own business, I looked to China to outsource my manufacturing. This move, whilst scary for me at the time (late 1990s) allowed my business to be more competitive and sustainable. If you have a business, I encourage you to consider the opportunities in China (and Asia generally for that matter). There are more than the obvious manufacturing opportunities. Perhaps a good starting point is to go along to an Australia China Business Council event or talk to AusTrade about your plans. Perhaps invite a new Director on your board who has some experience working in China or Asia.
We are entering a new era – unfamiliar territory. I believe we must embrace the change and jump into the deep end. Julie Bishop, Deputy Opposition Leader, told our group that the Coalition would support compulsory second language in our schools, more student exchange programs (not just Asian students coming to Australia, but also more Aussie students spending time in Asia). This is a good start.
We need to be ready for this brave new world that is a result of globalisation and the huge shift of power to the East. And the better equipped we are, the more secure our businesses and the future as a nation will be.
MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY AMY LYDEN
- Make Care Fair – the cost of not having affordable and flexible childcare
- “Balance is B*llsh*t”
- Budget Impacts for Small Business and Working Families
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Amy Lyden – Advocacy Advisor – Australian Businesswomen’s NetworkAn entrepreneur and specialist in ecommerce and online strategy, Amy has had over 13 years of practical experience in these areas. Launching her first website in 1998 Amy was at the forefront of an online revolution without even realizing it. Within a year this site became and remains today a #1 ranking site and global community of pet lovers that attracts over 4 million visitors a year. This Australia-based business, Bow Wow Meow, now sells product online to over 100 countries worldwide. Amy sold this business in 2007 and turned her energy to the nonprofit sector. Amy is currently the CEO of Australian Scholarships Foundation, an organisation that facilitates scholarships for education and training for people who work in the nonprofit sector. Amy is the recipient of numerous business awards including the 2006 NSW Telstra Business Women’s Awards for Innovation, the 2002 National Telstra Business Award and the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World Grant. Amy is an Ambassador and former Chairperson for the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, an organisation that supports female entrepreneurs. Amy was also invited to serve on the Commonwealth Small Business Council, an initiative by the Federal minister for Small Business. Amy has been profiled in the following books: “Women’s Business, Women’s Wealth” by Amanda Ellis, “Female Entrepreneurs,” by Leiza Clark and “Secrets of Female Entrepreneurs Exposed!” by Dale Beaumont. Amy is passionate about using technology to connect people globally for positive change.
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Forget work/life balance; work/life fit is better for you
September 29, 2011
By Susan Wareham McGrath
The Huffington Post, recently published, “Supermoms At Higher Risk For Depression: Study” – a pragmatic, powerful and practical piece about avoiding the almost universal guilt and frequent depression felt by working mothers.
Key points include:
- Mothers are better off at home if that’s really where they want to be and they’re better off working if that’s where they really want to be. Such a simple – and powerful – statement!
- Own your choices – this is a particularly good point for mothers who would prefer to be at home, but have to work. You don’t have to love your job, but if you know in some fundamental way that you made the right decision about working, you’ll be more comfortable going forward than if you’re always questioning yourself.
- Find your work-life “fit” – not balance. Why? Because “balance” is a guilt word; it implies you have to have everything on an even keel and that if you give to one side, you take from the other. “Fit”, on the other hand, is about doing whatever works for you. When balance is out of the equation, so is the guilt that comes with trying to achieve it.
- Align your expectations with reality. Staying stuck with expectations that aren’t coming true leads to depression and guilt.
Click here to read the full article, which includes a list of six practical tips to banish working mothers’ guilt for good!
My response:
Over the past forty years, the feminist mantra that “women can have it all” has subtly turned to show its dark side, that in order to have it all, “women must do it all”.
Current research shows that despite the advert of modern feminism, working mothers – even those engaged in full-time work – still do most of their family’s housework, cooking, shopping and childcare and hands-on caring responsibilities for other family members, such as aged relatives. Easily a 70-80 hour working week, when travelling, working and domestic work is taken into account.
Against that backdrop, the expectation that so many women put upon themselves, to manage the perfect home, be the perfect mother and have the perfect career, or run the perfect business, is a recipe for emotional and psychological disaster.
The work/life balance myth has added to this pressure, causing women to question why they can’t find that elusive balance that would enable them to hold all the parts of their life together.
Unfortunately, the only structural and long term solution to the woes of Australia’s working mothers that I can see lies in the hands of government. Not an ideal situation, but all we have to work with.
The government is already recognising the importance of quality child care, by planning to staff early years child care centres with qualified teachers – a step in the right direction. But that is of little use to mothers whose children are currently on a two to three year waiting list to access their centre of choice, or who aren’t able to use child care centres because they close too early.
Like it or not, it’s a fact of life that many mothers are not in the privileged position of being able to collect their children by 6 pm. Child care centre operators should be encouraged to recognise this and extend their hours to a more realistic timeframe, with the government subsidising their additional operating costs, to avoid the ridiculous situation of centres charging $1+ for every minute a parent is late collecting their child. Outside school hours care should also be subsidised in the same way.
Family day care is not everyone’s choice and parents should not be forced to put their child into that model of care because nothing else is available.
I would also like to see the use of accredited domestic support services made tax deductible, to increase their affordability to all working Australians (I say “working Australians” because some groups of non-working Australians already receive subsided or free domestic services) and open up employment options in the home services field, thereby reducing the ongoing drain on government funds caused by able-bodied people accepting unemployment benefits.
Check back tomorrow for the next blog post in 30 Days to a Great Career! 1-30 September 2011
MOST RECENT 30 DAYS TO A GREAT CAREER POSTS
- Approaching Your Boss – a Mentoring Perspective
- Grammatical glitches that spell “disaster” for job applicants
- Making A Good Impression: 7 Keys To A More Professional Image
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Susan Wareham McGrathSusan Wareham McGrath is a skilled and experienced Australian visa and immigration consultant; jobsearch strategist and career management consultant; professional writer, blogger and social commentator. She holds a degree in psychology, an advanced diploma in human resource management, a post graduate qualification in public policy development, a national training accreditation and registration as an Australian migration agent with the Migration Agents Registration Authority. Susan is a strong advocate for the personal and professional advancement of women, and after serving as an Advisory Board Member of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network since 2007 is now the ABN’s National Special Projects Manager.
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Approaching Your Boss – a Mentoring Perspective
September 28, 2011
By Cheryl Hayman, Hayman Strategy
Mentoring is probably the most powerful developmental process people can experience. Used effectively, it can empower people and provide a means to communicate that is second to none. It provides many tools and tips for managing those around you, one of the most important being ‘the boss’.
Mentoring is about professional and personal development and hence it is a terrific framework to utilise in any approach to your boss. It will give you more confidence and a heightened level of competence for communicating, especially if the conversation is considered to be critical, from your point of view.
The starting point
Remember that strong managers are primarily concerned with their team and the organisation, driving toward positive results. Approaching your boss is therefore all about exploration of the possible actions you might take and managing your own expectations about outcomes.
You need to explore the possible actions, bearing in mind the manager’s driving forces above and go forward to your boss with the best possible option. Be sure that you have considered it from all angles (theirs and your own), first.
As in a mentoring situation, much depends on the topic to be discussed.
- If it is something significant, related to changes in personal or professional attitudes and behaviours, you may find that you need to explore an issue on and off for several months.
- If it is a practical topic, related to knowledge or skills, it may only take a few minutes or a few hours.
The goal is to find mutual understanding.
This new understanding is experienced in a number of ways, depending on the individual and the importance of the issue in hand. Be flexible and resourceful, ready to move forward (and sometimes backwards) empathically and constructively.
Even when dealing with your boss, be supportive and sensitive so that when you challenge, your boss is receptive and able to acknowledge and learn your desires.
Always challenge positively. Even bosses can feel vulnerable, especially if the ‘old way’ is being criticised. Provide reflection and respect for the past. In the end, the boss needs to be part of the “journey to discovery,” that place where you would ideally like to land.
Following agreement on the new course, the action phase is sometimes immediate but, in the case of complex attitudinal and behavioural issues, it may take weeks, months or even years to fully develop. Ultimately, the timescale is dependent on experience, the nature and complexity of the issue and the quality of the conversations that you are able to hold.
In the end, the similarities to the mentoring process are based on the following personal traits, drawing on your ability to be:
- Enthusiastic – genuinely interested in the boss and his/her concerns, needs and aspirations.
- Motivating and encouraging – to understand and channel the boss’s energy into constructive change, new challenges and overcoming difficulties.
- Open – prepared to share your own experience of similar issues, be honest about yourself, be honest and appreciative of the boss.
- Empathic – able to appreciate how the boss thinks, feels and behaves.
- Positive in your outlook – able to appreciate the boss’s point of view and see solutions.
- A good listener – able to really focus on what the boss is saying without your own thoughts crowding out the boss’s words.
If you harness all these abilities as you go into discussions with work colleagues and your boss, you are much more likely to resolve your issue with a mutually agreeable outcome than you would if your approach was hostile, disrespectful and centred only on your needs and desires.
Check back tomorrow for the next blog post in 30 Days to a Great Career! 1-30 September 2011
MOST RECENT 30 DAYS TO A GREAT CAREER POSTS
- Grammatical glitches that spell “disaster” for job applicants
- Making A Good Impression: 7 Keys To A More Professional Image
- Board quotas – are they the answer?
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Cheryl Hayman - Hayman StrategyCheryl Hayman owns and manages a strategic marketing and business consultancy, Hayman Strategy, providing a broad range of business and marketing solutions to corporations. Prior to establishing her own business, Cheryl had over 20 years experience as a senior marketing executive in multi-national organisations spanning Australia, NZ and the UK. Cheryl undertakes a number of non-executive Board roles and sits on several Advisory Boards including the Australian Businesswomen’s Network. Cheryl is a Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute, holding a CPM. Cheryl personally undertakes continuous professional development within her various business roles, as well as attending external courses.
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How to write a winning application letter
September 27, 2011
By Susan Wareham McGrath
In today’s competitive job market, you might have an outstanding résumé, but unless it catches the employer’s attention, it is unlikely that you will obtain an interview. That’s where a well written application letter can make all the difference.
To develop a strong application letter, you must always remember that the sole purpose of your application is to market yourself as the best candidate for the position.
Put yourself in the employer’s shoes
Think about what they are looking for in a candidate; and draft your letter accordingly. The best way to do that is to use your application letter to draw a clear connection between your skills, experience and knowledge and the employer’s requirements.
A professional application letter consists of three sections: an introduction, a body and a conclusion.
Introduction
Use the introduction to state your interest in the job and explain how you heard about it – from an advertisement, personal recommendation or other means.
Body
The body is the longest part of the letter and should state your enthusiasm for the position, as well as briefly explain why the employer should read your résumé. This is the section where you draw the connection between your expertise and the employer’s requirements and explain your points of difference from other applicants, promoting yourself as an excellent candidate and potential interviewee.
Conclusion
The concluding paragraph should request an interview and invite the employer to contact you if they would like any further information.
Application letters should have three, or at the most four paragraphs and generally be no longer than one page in length. An effective application letter should, above all, be professional. It should be typewritten, free of spelling and grammatical errors and have a positive, courteous tone.
With a well-written application letter and a professional résumé, applicants can be confident that when they attend their long-awaited interview, they will already have impressed their potential employer, significantly improving their chances of long-term career success.
Check back tomorrow for the next blog post in 30 Days to a Great Career! 1-30 September 2011
MOST RECENT 30 DAYS TO A GREAT CAREER POSTS
- Grammatical glitches that spell “disaster” for job applicants
- Making A Good Impression: 7 Keys To A More Professional Image
- Board quotas – are they the answer?
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Susan Wareham McGrathSusan Wareham McGrath is a skilled and experienced Australian visa and immigration consultant; jobsearch strategist and career management consultant; professional writer, blogger and social commentator. She holds a degree in psychology, an advanced diploma in human resource management, a post graduate qualification in public policy development, a national training accreditation and registration as an Australian migration agent with the Migration Agents Registration Authority. Susan is a strong advocate for the personal and professional advancement of women, and after serving as an Advisory Board Member of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network since 2007 is now the ABN’s National Special Projects Manager.
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Grammatical glitches that spell “disaster” for job applicants
September 26, 2011
By Susan Wareham McGrath
I was driven to write today’s post by the number of grammatical errors and misspellings I come across regularly, on resumes, application letters, websites, jobseekers’ blogs and their professional social media profiles.
It’s a fact that grammatical glitches, clunky copy and sloppy spelling do not impress employers. And the bad news for job applicants is that such semantic saboteurs can impact negatively on their prospective employer’s opinion of their application.
So here’s my personal hit list of errors that dumb down personal brands – and turn off prospective employers.
The Wandering Apostrophe
In my eyes, the worst offender of all is the wandering apostrophe. As a punctuation symbol, it looks innocent enough, but can grate on an employer’s nerves when it’s used incorrectly, particularly when it’s used to denote a plural.
Apostrophes are generally happiest when used to indicate the omission of one or more letters (for example, the contraction of “it is” to “it’s”); and to indicate the possessive case (for example, “the cat’s fur”).
The use of apostrophes to denote plurals (for example, “the sentence contained two comma’s”) is wrong, as is a significant exception to the possessive case rule above – the use of “it’s” to denote ownership.
Whenever I see “it’s” used to indicate possession, I can’t help but expand the contraction – to me “the cat licked it’s fur” reads “the cat licked it is fur”. Such errors are not only grammatically wrong, but can smack of unprofessionalism to prospective employers who care about such things.
Heterographs
Almost as bad as the uncorralled apostrophe is the incorrect use of “your” versus “you’re”, “too” versus “to” and “their” versus “there”. It’s really not that hard to take a few seconds to think about what you’re trying to say and check that your words reflect your intent. In fact, it’s so easy, why would you not do so, when initial impressions of your ability to value add as an employee are at stake?
Weasel Words
Weasel words are words that are deliberately used to gloss over bad news, or to make a statement misleading; for example, “Send in your details and be in the draw to win a car every day for a month.”
The reality is, of course, that a draw will be held each day of the month in question, with a car allocated as the prize of each individual draw. But the sentence above was written in such a way that it implies the winner of the draw would win between 28 and 31 cars, delivered in daily increments over the period of one month.
Weasel words fool very few employers and can lead to a perception that the applicant using them is at best spindoctoring, or at worst being evasive about their employment history – not a favourable impression to leave with a prospective employer.
Comma casualties
Reading text that places commas incorrectly, or fails to use them at all, puts me into a state of punctuation paranoia – for example, the difference in meaning between “Let’s cook, James” and “Let’s cook James” is quite significant – and all due to the strategic use of a comma.
Dangling participles
“Eating my lunch, the sun shone brightly.” Really? The sun was eating the writer’s lunch while shining brightly? Of course not. What the writer meant to say was “As I was eating my lunch, the sun shone brightly”.
If the meaning of a sentence is anything less than crystal clear, it’s time for a redraft!
In Australia’s highly competitive job market, it’s essential to use every tool at your disposal to excel throughout the application process. Proofread, double check, and preferably have someone else review your professional website, LinkedIn profile, blog, CV and cover letter before you submit your application.
Remember, you only have one chance to make a first impression!
Check back tomorrow for the next blog post in 30 Days to a Great Career! 1-30 September 2011
MOST RECENT 30 DAYS TO A GREAT CAREER POSTS
- Making A Good Impression: 7 Keys To A More Professional Image
- Board quotas – are they the answer?
- The Power of a Handshake
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Susan Wareham McGrathSusan Wareham McGrath is a skilled and experienced Australian visa and immigration consultant; jobsearch strategist and career management consultant; professional writer, blogger and social commentator. She holds a degree in psychology, an advanced diploma in human resource management, a post graduate qualification in public policy development, a national training accreditation and registration as an Australian migration agent with the Migration Agents Registration Authority. Susan is a strong advocate for the personal and professional advancement of women, and after serving as an Advisory Board Member of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network since 2007 is now the ABN’s National Special Projects Manager.
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Making A Good Impression: 7 Keys To A More Professional Image
September 25, 2011
By Michele Connolly, Get Organized Wizard
How’s your professional image? Does it convey a true sense of your talent and expertise? Or does it distract potential customers/employers and undermine the impression you make?
Whether you’re looking for more customers, a promotion or a new career, you need to avoid these common mistakes if you want to create a great impression. Developing a professional image takes a little preparation and personal organisation, but you’ll gain huge dividends.
1. Lose the blurry photo of yourself looking boozy at after-work drinks
Ideally, get a professional photo of yourself for your online profiles (eg, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn). It will make a good impression on others and help you feel more confident about yourself too.
If this is too expensive, ask a friend to take a photo that’s suitable for the work you do – or want to do.
At the very least, crop a head-shot of yourself from an existing photo that’s in focus and attractive.
2. Don’t be boring when explaining what you do
A bland description of your job or services can be an instant conversation killer. Avoid the ‘Oh. *pause* I have to go over there now.’ response by sprucing up your self description.
For instance, my description is adapted from a technique I learned in Michael Port’s Book Yourself Solid. Instead of saying,
‘I’m a writer for a website’ [BORING!]
I say,
‘You know how some people struggle to overcome procrastination, or to get organized, or to get rid of clutter? Well, I create programs at GetOrganizedWizard.com that help people to get motivated and take action.
You can use the same formula:
You know how some people [insert problem you solve]?
Well, I [insert how you solve problem].
So if you’re a financial planner you might say something like,
“You know how some people worry about how much money they’ll need for retirement and how to go about preparing for it? Well, I help people analyse their goals and financial positions and set plans in motion.”
3. Avoid over-sharing online
Be personal and authentic in your online profiles – it will help people get a sense of you.
These days, it’s common for both customers and employers to do online searches of people they want to work with. So be cautious about sharing information that’s too personal or *ahem* ‘inappropriate’.
Tweeting about your love of gardening, running or model trains is one thing. Providing graphic details about your feather fetish is another.
4. Scrap Sally34619@hotmail.com
Your email address should be simple and professional.
If you have a business, use your business URL – i.e., Sally@SallyTheSavvyPhotographer.com.
If not, at least choose a professional-sounding version of your name – eg Sally.Fortescue@hotmail.com or SallyLouiseJones@hotmail.com.
Remember that a potential customer or employer may have to type in your email address – keep it professional.
5. Toss self-printed business cards
Cards run off on your home printer say, ‘I don’t take my business seriously’ – so why should anyone else?
Business cards are a small expense that make a big difference. Invest a little time and money in cards that represent you.
Make sure you include your:
- Name
- Business name
- Email address
- Phone numbers/addresses
- Website
- Short description of your business or service, if this isn’t obvious from your business name.
Keep a stack of cards in your bag or pocket and replenish it regularly. Then when someone asks for one, you’ll be prepared.
6. Re-think the scruffy look
You might do fabulous work and believe you have the right to dress however you like. And of course you do.
The thing is, people don’t know you do fabulous work, so they will likely extrapolate from whatever information they have. If your clothes are untidy, they might subconsciously think, well, scruffy clothes, scruffy work.
So get yourself at least a couple of outfits you can wear for networking events, interviews, etc. Choose clothes that look, feel good and give people a sense of the best of you.
7. Stop snarling
Smile! It looks good, feels good, makes you more approachable and comes through in your personality.
Whether you’re communicating in person, by phone or in writing, keep a smile on your face.
I’m smiling now – can you tell? 
Check back tomorrow for the next blog post in 30 Days to a Great Career! 1-30 September 2011
MOST RECENT 30 DAYS TO A GREAT CAREER POSTS
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Michele Connolly – Get Organized WizardMichele Connolly helps people move from procrastination to action. She believes you can be happier if you take action on your priorities. Michele’s programs cover business, goals, home, personal organisation, writing and weight-loss, and are used by tens of thousands of people worldwide. Michele is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA). She has been interviewed on Sydney radio, spoken at conferences, and won awards for her psychology studies, including original research and a thesis on happiness. Michele is interested in writing, books, simplicity, love, TV, productivity, and staying thin in a world of chocolate.
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Board quotas – are they the answer?
September 24, 2011
By Susan Wareham McGrath
Australia’s peak shareholders’ body recently said women should be appointed to company boards according to their abilities, not arbitrary quotas, according to The Australian newspaper. And Federal Opposition Women’s Affairs spokesperson Michaelia Cash restated the Coalition’s opposition to gender quotas, in response to Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey’s call for women to occupy a mandated 30 per cent of boardroom positions.
Meanwhile, Governor-General Quentin Bryce used International Women’s Day to call for board quotas, saying they are needed to break the “old boys” stranglehold over Australian business, and Australian Minister for the Status of Women Kate Ellis has stated that quotas were a last resort but that the government was leaving this option on the table.
But are we targeting the real problem in our discussions about quotas and getting more women onto Australian boards? I don’t think so.
I see the lack of women on boards as just a symptom of a much deeper problem that seems to have had disappointingly little media attention paid to it.
The real issue – the problem that must be addressed before any sustainable progress can be made toward gender equity in corporate Australia - is Australia’s prevailing organisational culture that keeps women off boards, by restricting their access to the C-suite executive roles that are feeder positions to corporate directorships.
I recently undertook a piece of research relating to factors that affect women’s representation on boards in Australia. I only used significant Australian and international studies that were up to two years old, so my sources were somewhat limited, but even so, they identified no less than sixteen separate and evidence-based factors that currently block women’s ascendency to the board table.
Just a few of these factors were:
- the culture of mateship that continues to pervade Australian boards
- a lack of transparency in board appointment processes, and a failure to articulate and assess applicants against clear selection criteria
- the fact that boards usually recruit from restricted pools of applicants that are already known to, or referred by, their members
- board members’ tendency to “appoint in their own image”
- the fact that significantly fewer males than females see gender diversity on boards as a strategic corporate priority
- organisational expectations of a straight-line, always-available, geographically mobile career model
- the fact that board feeder positions – senior corporate C-suite roles with line management responsibilities – are predominantly filled by men
- the lack of support for women who wish to continue to build their careers after having a child, or taking on caring responsibilities; for example, personally tailored return to work programs, telecommuting and the provision of quality, flexible child care
- the lack of high level female mentors to assist other women get onto boards and into board feeder roles within an organisation
And this is despite the fact that evidence has proven over and over again that having women in leadership positions and on boards is good for business, not only by leading to improved financial and corporate results, but because it leads to improved governance, enhanced public perception of the organisation and better employee attraction and retention.
The introduction of quotas would certainly improve the gender balance on Australian boards, and would do so over a very short period of time.
But the introduction of quotas would also have the potential to encourage lip-service, forced compliance, a public questioning of the worthiness of the incumbents who were appointed under the quota requirement and a nagging worry in the minds of the incumbents themselves, about whether their appointment stemmed from merit or tokenism.
So regardless of whether Australia eventually does nothing, goes down the forced quota pathway or takes the voluntary target option, one thing is obvious.
To address the organisational culture that is the fundamental cause of the lack of gender balance on Australian boards, we need strong corporate leadership that champions gender equity for all employees, from the new recruit to the executive team and the board.
Until corporate Australia has the strategic foresight and pragmatic business sense to use such leadership to implement change across Australia’s business sector, the best that will be achieved is the continued implementation of spin-doctored, band-aid solutions which, to the detriment of the Australia’s business sector, will temporarily mask the obvious symptoms, but do little to stem the growth of the real problem.
Check back tomorrow for the next blog post in 30 Days to a Great Career! 1-30 September 2011
MOST RECENT 30 DAYS TO A GREAT CAREER POSTS
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Susan Wareham McGrathSusan Wareham McGrath is a skilled and experienced Australian visa and immigration consultant; jobsearch strategist and career management consultant; professional writer, blogger and social commentator. She holds a degree in psychology, an advanced diploma in human resource management, a post graduate qualification in public policy development, a national training accreditation and registration as an Australian migration agent with the Migration Agents Registration Authority. Susan is a strong advocate for the personal and professional advancement of women, and after serving as an Advisory Board Member of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network since 2007 is now the ABN’s National Special Projects Manager.
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The Power of a Handshake
September 23, 2011
By Karen Adamedes, Career Chick Chat
Have you ever been caught in that awkward moment when a group of people are being introduced, the men enthusiastically shake hands with each other and then they turn around and nod at you?
Many people (both men and women) aren’t quite sure whether to offer their hand to a woman a not. Men don’t think twice about this ritual with each other.
Where it was once used to bind a contract, nowadays a handshake is an accepted business formality. It is used as a greeting, a farewell, to express congratulations and as a sign of goodwill when an agreement has been reached.
A handshake can be seen as the first step of building rapport and developing a relationship as it provides a point of connection.
Men, unless they see each other every day, often greet each other with a handshake. Even in a social setting, a handshake is the accepted convention and establishes rapport. It’s an accepted business practice.
When women don’t shake hands, this sets them apart.
If they have to debate with themselves whether to shake or not to shake, before you even started talking, the gender difference will be unsaid but on the table, loud and clear. A handshake can help women establish parity with male colleagues.
To avoid this situation, offer your hand in all situations where men would shake hands. Do this with both men and women. For men, it takes away the guesswork. With women, it establishes business rapport. You’ll present yourself as confident and professional. Be the first to offer your hand when you meet others, so that there is no time for confusion.
The other benefit of a handshake is that it can fend off the unwanted greeting kiss. It has become more common, particularly when work colleagues meet at social occasions, for men to greet women with a kiss. You really need to make an assessment on the appropriateness of this based on the situation, who the person is and your relationship with them. If you are comfortable, this is fine in a social environment. But it’s a little bit icky when it happens in the office and you’re not comfortable with it. A polite, confident outstretched hand should avoid this situation.
Here are a few more quick tips for handshaking:
- Make eye contact when you offer your hand –this aligns your body language with the connection you are making
- Hold your hand straight out from your wrist – stops your handshake from being too soft and prevents you making a vice like grip
- Shake 2-3 times
- The handshake should come from your elbow as you move your arm
- Smile at the same time – it reinforces that you are pleased to meet them
Career Chick Hot Tip: Shake hands and offer yours first.
Check back tomorrow for the next blog post in 30 Days to a Great Career! 1-30 September 2011
MOST RECENT 30 DAYS TO A GREAT CAREER POSTS
- How To Boost Productivity at Work
- Resolving Conflicts (when they happen)
- Interview thank you letters – a simple branding strategy for jobseekers
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Karen Adamedes – Career Chick ChatKaren Adamedes is a career strategist, speaker blogger and author of the best-selling career guide for women, “Hot Tips for Career Chicks.” Working for market-leaders in Australia, Karen has pursued a successful career in business, managing national teams and multi-million dollar budgets. She is an accomplished senior executive with a proven track record of success in driving the delivery of business results and the development of high performance teams. Karen’s experience has provided her with insights into what works and why for women in the development and management of their careers and the realisation of success. Karen’s career advice has been featured in the pages of national magazines including Cosmopolitan and Cleo, newspapers and international publications.
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Take a Chance
September 22, 2011
By Alycia Edgar, Coastal Accounting Services
One of my philosophies in life is to have no regrets. I consider all opportunities that come my way, regardless of how difficult they may be to implement at that point in time. I would rather try and fail, knowing it doesn’t work or is not for me, than be forever wondering!
So, what are you waiting for? Take that chance.
Yes, that one, the one you keep saying in your head. Perhaps you’ve identified that perfect client you would love to get. Go make contact. Call them, mail them or whatever it may be. Just go and do it!
Think about this scenario, you’re chatting to someone and they offer you the perfect opportunity. But it’s not the perfect time for you. Argh! I will say this once only. There never is a perfect time. Never. Period. Stuff happens. Get over it. Grab that opportunity and run with it!
You’re not ready to launch. You just need to do a few more things.
You’re waiting for all those ducks to be in a row, right? And then you’ll be ready. How’s that working out for you? Been lining those ducks up for years haven’t you? Stop lining up, it will work out one way or another. Get your stuff out there; get it into the hands of your customers and then tweak as you get feedback. Test, test, test.
You have a business idol; someone you’d really love to speak to. Email them and ASK for the opportunity to meet. Just ASK. So much happens in this world by people simply ASKing for what they want. Take that chance, put yourself out there and just ASK.
The least they can say is no, and then you move on.
Maybe its unchartered territory for you; your first teleseminar, webinar, presentation or workshop. Scary stuff huh! Everything new is, but once tried, it might still be a little scary, but you’ve faced the fear; you’ve done it! Take that chance. And yes there’s loads that can go wrong, but there is so much more that can go right!
Sometimes the only thing that’s stopping you from taking a chance is believing in yourself. Find those that believe in you and listen to what they say very carefully. Listen. I believe in you. I’m supporting you. Go forth and conquer.
MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY ALYCIA EDGAR
- Stop! Let me off this train, this wasn’t the ticket I bought!
- I don’t know enough.
- What can you achieve in 90 days?
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Alycia Edgar – Coastal Accounting ServicesAs an accountant and former surf shop owner Alycia understands the issues that small business face everyday. She believes you can work on your business effectively simply by understanding your business numbers. She creates innovative systems and processes that enable business owners to be highly focused and productive in their business, including Bookzkeeper – The Accounting Survival Kit for Small Business. To get tips on how your numbers relate to working on your business, simply visit here
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