Nine nuggets (2)

Here are 3 more of the 9 nuggets...

Know what you want and go for it
Being clear about your goals is paramount.  
Knowing what I want can seem overwhelming so, one of the easiest ways of dealing with this is knowing and weeding out what I do not want. It then clears my landscape and options.

Women who get to the top understand that (sic – I believe she meant “what”) no one else can do for them. You need to make things happen for you rather than watch things happen to you. In her article based on this article, Lisa Quast, the former executive vice president and general manager at a $12 billion global corporation and a certified executive coach working specifically with women and their careers, said: "Take the time to clearly define your career aspirations and then conduct research to find out the skills and experience necessary to succeed in those positions. Once you have this information you can create a career strategic plan. Having a career plan in place will ensure you achieve your aspirations efficiently and effectively – just like using a roadmap helps you reach a destination."*

As women, we know quite a bit about maps - especially the key part they play in (family) road trips.


In my opinion, in addition to having a map - even if it is a mind map - it is also helpful to make the most of any detours you have as you head to your destination.

Promote yourself legitimately

You can be doing great work, but if no one knows about it, you might as well be invisible.

A former Goldmanite, Jacki Zehner, 47, was both the first woman trader to be made partner and the youngest woman to be made partner at the firm at age 32 in 1996. Zehner routinely volunteered for assignments that gained her visibility at the top. For example, she put up her hand whenever the firm needed someone to make a speech to incoming analysts or recruit at college campuses, she said. In volunteering for assignments, seek out those that will strengthen or expand your skill set or knowledge base or even just stretch you in new areas and enjoy doing the assignment(s). Once again, Lisa Quast puts it this way: "Volunteer to take on projects that will show your strengths and allow you to gain the necessary experience to move to the next level."*

Network with your peers

Many women make the mistake of seeking sponsorship from only the people above them. Some of the people you work with are going to be in charge and could help you rise in the ranks.

"It's connections with people your own age that will help you get promotions," said Amy Siskind, a former head of distressed debt trading at Morgan Stanley and the co-founder of The New Agenda, an organization dedicated to advancing women into leadership roles. Siskind, 46, was the first woman managing director at Wasserstein Perella because a friend she had worked with in her mid-20s had landed there and pushed for her hire. Networking works**...so work with it.

Source:
Nine Rules Women Must Follow to Get Ahead by Julie Steinberg: http://online.wsj.com/article/SBB0001424052702304723304577365812402273808.html?mod=wsj_share_in_bot 

References:
Rules For Women To Climb The Career Ladder by Lisa Quant:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/lisaquast/2012/06/11/rules-for-women-to-climb-the-career-ladder/
**http://empowered-women-excel.blogspot.com/2012/08/networking-works.html