Although the world of finance is male dominated, there are quite a number of women today who have managed to build successful careers in bookkeeping services. Women can handle the role of accounting just as well as their male counterparts. In fact when choosing work, women consider much of the same things as men do such as looking at share prices and assessing growth, among other things. Today women are limitless in their capabilities and many are even willing to work abroad.
One of the biggest challenges that women with families face is the need to remain the primary parent. Many mothers are often restricted to take on professional jobs with a high level of flexibility that allows them to handle their family needs.
What women need to know
Accounting firms and various organizations today are more comfortable with hiring women accountants because of the perceived notion that once a woman is comfortable in their work position, they are ready to dig into their work unrelenting. This is because women will research thoroughly on a company to understand how it works and what it is about before joining. While they are not afraid to say no to a job that would not be of value to themselves, they will fully take on their roles and even more so in a firm that they believe is flexible and friendly towards women.
What women need to do
As a woman trying to assert herself in a male dominated field, you need to try some of the following tips to strengthen your career in the field of accounting.
Build your negotiation skills: many accountants get into the field because they are good at working with numbers but many often lack people skills or good communication skills. Being able to handle difficult conversations and articulating yourself is essential to get from other people what you need to do your job. Taking a class in negotiation while in school can help improve your communication skills and this will eventually help to build your personal brand.
Get a sponsor: unlike a mentor who only gives you career advice, a sponsor is someone who works in the same organization and is willing to stick out his or her neck for you when you need it. A sponsor should be someone you admire, would like to work for and ranks higher up in the organization. If you do a great job for them, they could be your access point to a promotion or a better position in the firm. Who knows, they might even tag you along when they decide to open their own firm.
Get a little social: Getting a little social with your coworkers occasionally does not hurt. It makes you more likeable and studies have shown that likeability in the work place contributes significantly to moving up in business. Especially in businesses that lack competent and assertive women.
Finally, you should always assess the realistic chances of you reaching a corner office as a woman. You might find yourself in a company that is dragging its feet about promoting women. Unfortunately, they still do exist. There is no shame in getting out of such a bad situation.
Author Bio
Gillian Leeds is a women career advisor who helps women in the finance sector advance their skill. If you are in need of bookkeeping services, visit our site.
