Why Men Have Stronger Professional Networks Than Women

Why Men Have Stronger Professional Networks Than WomenWhy Men Have Stronger Professional Networks Than WomenResearch indicates that the glass ceiling is firm. And the reason why may surprise you. Its bedrngnis your gender, its your network.Its been nearly half a century since the Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed sexual discrimination.Further legislation has been passed to root out sexist corporate-promotion practices and encourage diversity in the workplace. Womens groups have lobbied agencies and businesses to support and mentor female employees, and private enterprises have funded and cultivated programs to promote the advancement of women to the highest ranks.But in 2009 women hold just 20 percent of the senior management positions in American businesses, according to the 2009 International Business Report by Grant Thornton. The glass ceiling remains firmly, invisibly, in place.But what is responsible for the invisible barrier that allows employers to pay lip service to diversity but promote men to 80 percent of the senior management positions?New research suggests that fewer women reach those jobs than men because they are less likely to hear about available positions from coworkers as early as their male counterparts.Both men and women tend to circulate the good nachrichten about job openings or opportunities when they hear about them. But looking at the quality of the job leads in terms of pay and prestige women get poorer quality leads from other women, said Lisa Torres, a George Washington University sociology professor who studies the hiring and job-search process in corporations. Men tend to be in the top positions in organizations so, structurally, theyre in a position to hear about job openings or opportunities when they arrive, and circulate those to their networks.Birds of a feather flock together.The problem is not a failure in the career-development or job-search acumen of seasoned female professionals and certainly not a statement on the qual ity of the candidates, Torres said. It has mora to do with the people with whom men and women feel most comfortable associating, she said.Torres and Matt L. Huffman, sociology researcher at the University of California-Irvine, studied groups of men and women and tracked census data to identify patterns in the way the sexes network. The researchers detailed their findings in a 2002 study, Social Networks and Job Search Outcomes Among Male and Female Professional, Technical, and Managerial Workers, published in Sociological Focus.They discovered that both men and women tend to build networks comprising people of their own gender - a process known scientifically as homophily and colloquially as birds of a feather flock together. But women tend to recognize the tendency and try to overcome it - building networks made up of about 50 percent men - while mens networks included very few women, Torres said.According to Torres and Huffmans theory of social networking Because men hold 80 pe rcent of the jobs in senior management (a figure that has been steadily declining), they are more likely to hear about job openings at the senior-management level. Men pass the news on to their mostly male social networks, and it is likely that news about the job opening reaches women only after it has reached and passed several men.Who is in your network?It isnt just a matter of being connected, said William Bielby, a professor emeritus of sociology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. It matters who those connections are.Bielby is a leading researcher in race and gender bias. He has been called upon as an expert witness in sexual-discrimination and bias lawsuits involving WalMart, FedEx, and Johnson Johnson. Bielby said the professional networks women build fail to deliver the same job leads as men because of whom they choose to include.Research into how men and women form professional relationships at work shows that women tend to be more effective at networking - at least as far as the size and cohesiveness of their professional networks are concerned, Bielby said. But that breadth still does not overcome the concentration of power in male networks.Women have tended to be better connected overall, but they and many of their female contacts tend to work in more female-dominated jobs, Bielby said. So their networks may be wider but not reach to as high a level as mens, who tend to be better connected, particularly in getting professional news, to more high-status people.Access is only part of the issue, Torres said. The rest is an often unconscious decision about who is the most appropriate target for a tip.You might tell a male colleague about an opportunity thats very high demand or involves a lot of traveling, she said, but not a female friend because you know she has family concerns that might make that more difficult.That may show sensitivity toward a colleagues personal situation, but not one that allows that colleague to make up her own mind ab out whether the job is too high stress or the travel requirements are too great, Bielby said.Gender biasWhile men hold 80 percent of senior management jobs, the gap in income is less severe. According to Huffmans review of 2000 census data, women in senior management earn salaries that trail mens by only 9 percent.The gaps persist most notably in access and perception, Torres said.For example, in technology companies - which, like financial services, tend to be male dominated - men are 2.7 times as likely to be promoted to top technical or managerial positions than women they are far more likely to be viewed as competent and are four times as likely to have a partner who takes on the bulk of responsibility for home and family, according to a 2008 study by Caroline Simard, director of research at the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology.A third of women in technology companies deliberately delay having children to pursue career goals, and far more women than men are likely to believe extended work days and a lack of sleep are necessary to achieve success, the study concluded.Even without gender bias, the greater number of connections men have to higher-level contacts make it more likely theyll hear about a particular opportunity than even a woman with the same background and similar contacts, Torres said.And the higher up the ladder a candidate goes the more likely unconscious bias about race, gender or competency is to intrude on the decision-making process, Bielby said - especially in something as informal as a job reference.Passing on a job lead is ultimately an exercise in subjective judgment, Bielby said. So when someone is thinking whom to tell about an opportunity - and that decision is often made unconsciously in just a split second - it may be stereotypes of what men or women are competent that makes you more or less inclined to tell a specific person.We like to think were beyond those days where stereotypes matter, but were not that far removed from it, Bielby said. In my experience during financial-services litigation, for example, even with brokers who work only on commission, youd think there couldnt be any bias there because the numbers tell the story. But the real issues were not the commission formula, it was in the soft decisions made about how do distribute leads or referrals and the accounts of people who leave.Farther down the ladder, its easier to quantify levels of performance, Torres said.As you get higher, the judgments invariably get more subjective. Thats one reason there is still quite a pay gap between men and women in similar jobs, she said. As you get higher on the ladder, job performance is based more on evaluation and subjective assignment. A woman lawyer may handle more cases, but are they the big cases? I may produce more as a knowledge worker, but is what you produce really first tier compared to someone else?Trying to legislate or organize job references to eliminate gender bias is not a g ood idea, Torres and Bielby agreed. That would just squelch the process altogether.Overcoming the gender networkIf women want to equal the effectiveness of male social networks, they need to emulate the men in those networks, said Torres. If male-dominated professional networks are passing jobs leads to other men before women, women should put themselves in the path of those leads, Bielby said. Women must add more men - especially high-status men - to their professional networks. Furthermore, they need to make their interests and competencies as clear as possible, he said.The basic insight about how job leads are passed along, which has been around for years, is that they come through weak ties - acquaintances or friends of friends, who we dont necessarily know that well, Bielby said. When you pass along a job lead, often thats based more on assumptions about someone you only know vaguely than anything specific about them.What you can do, he added, is cement that connection by fo llowing up with specific information about what kind of job youre looking for or sending a resume or link to a Web page with that information.

Flexible Retirement Jobs Now Hiring

Flexible Retirement Jobs Now HiringFlexible Retirement Jobs Now HiringAfter years of juggling your career with your other obligations, interests and passions, its time to change the focus of your day-to-day and truly embrace retirement. The problem is that nothing quite prepared you for this. How do you adjust to a calm and quiet lifestyle, plus that wide open calendar, when you are accustomed to being on the go all day?You want a job that gives you the rewards of work a chance to meet new people, earn some spending money and get the satisfaction of a day spend productively. But you dont want a stressful job. Youve graduated from that. Now its time for a fun and flexible gig, like these Marina Dock Assistant Average Full Time Salary $16,000Work outside near the water facilitating the rental of boats and other marine recreational vehicles. In addition to working with the public, professionals in these jobs usually help maintain the inventory and the facilities. Marina jobs are at thei r busiest during the tourist seasons and on weekends and holidays. In some regions they are only available during limited times of the year.Search Marina Dock AssistantjobsGym Staff Average Full Time Salary $57,000There are a range of positions that fall under this category, from assisting members checking in for their workouts to helping to keep the facilities in tip top shape. Theres always a need for help in commercial gyms and non-profit community wellness organizations. Some niche areas may include working in the babysitting room or helping to prepare facilities for classes. These are vibrant and exciting work environments that may prove perfect for your new career. Search Gym StaffjobsLibrary AssistantAverage Full Time Salary $38,000The library is both a bustling cultural meeting place and an oasis that invites researching, reading and learning. Libraries offer a range of programs to entice infants, toddlers, teenagers, adults and older patrons. There are a host of ways to app ly your schills, from working the circulation desk to reading books to children. Theres never a dull moment in the library.Search Library AssistantjobsTour Guide Average Full Time Salary $40,000Wineries, breweries, ski slopes, museums, farms and factories all need compelling speakers to keep their visitors engaged while they learn about the facilities. If you have the gift of gab and you love working with the public, this may be just the right role for you.Search Tour GuidejobsBarista Average Full Time Salary $16,000Learn the tricks to brewing all those enticing beverages that for years youve sipped with colleagues, customers and friends. Its fun to be on the other side of the counter and work a job thats fast-paced and social. Search Barista jobs

Free Executive Chief Executive Officer Resume Template

Free Executive Chief Executive Officer Resume TemplateFree Executive Chief Executive Officer Resume TemplateIf you are applying for an executive position, you will need to craft a strong executive style resume if you want to get hired. These resumes are for individuals who have obtained high-level positions within a company and possess at least two decades of experience. This styles professional language and emphasis on experience means that it may not be the best choice for entry-level workers and individuals working in the creative fields. The executive chief executive officer resume template and the tips listed below can provide you with some direction the next time you are writing your own resume.Create ResumeCustomize ResumeWhat to Include in an Executive Chief Executive Officer ResumeAn executive resume, as the personenname implies, is the best type of resume for executives and other established corporate leaders. Unlike the other resume types, which can be utilized by the majo rity of workers, executive resumes should only be used by individuals with at least 20 years of work experience. When writing an executive resume, individuals should be sure to use professional language and formatting. Despite the fact that most executives possess over two decades of work experience, you should only provide details about the last 10 to 15 years of your career.Common Resume Fails Mistakes to AvoidIncluding Irrelevant Information When writing an executive resume, you should only include information about your career over the last one and a half decades. Do not provide information about older jobs or jobs that do not relate to your executive management background.Lying and Embellishing Looking for a job can be difficult, and at times, you may be tempted to bend the truth. This is a bad idea and one of the quickest ways to ensure that you dont get the job. Be honest and open about your work history.Too Little Information When writing an executive resume, you will need t o extensively discuss your skills, qualifications, and professional background. If your resume lacks information that the reader deems necessary, he or she will not be able to fully evaluate your potential.No Results As an executive, you should emphasize your ability to set goals and generate positive, tangible results. Companies only want executives that are capable of being proactive and achieving corporate goals.Resume Content Charles Martin 10362 Wakefield Avenue, Scarsdale, NY 11111 555.790.1420 cmartinmail.com Summary Experienced and multitalented operating executive seeking challenging and dynamic leadership role in the pharmaceutical industry. Results-oriented and capable of increasing revenue and implementing growth policies. Vast knowledge in absatzwirtschaft, finance, management, and operations, with a strong desire to positively represent the company brand. Successful 23-year history of directing others and exceeding company expectations. Highlights Leadership skillsStr ategic planningOrganizational restructuringContract and deal negotiationPartnership developmentStrong communicationFinancial analysis and reportingCapital raisingRevenue growth and management Experience Chief Executive Officer H K Pharmaceutical Solutions New York, NY 7/1/2003 Present Oversee team of 60+ pharmacists, accountants, chemists, and other professionals. Communicate long-term growth goals to team, department president, and CEO. Compile financial reports and statements for corporate headquarters. Assist other executives with the development and implementation of marketing campaigns. Foster close relationships with external clients and research firms. Travel to corporate branches in London, San Francisco, and Amsterdam to ensure adherence to company policies. Secured equity funding worth $8 million from various private banks, an increase of 27% over last quarter. Implemented marketing campaign that increased sales by 17% and revenue by 32% in five years. Facilitated $27 million acquisition of state-funded medical research facility. Personally secured 12 accounts with private, academic, and government health organizations worth $24.9 million. Education Master of Business Administration (MBA) Columbia UniversityMaster of Science in Chemistry Johns Hopkins University

8 Signs Your Boss Sees You as a Leader- The Muse

8 Signs Your Boss Sees You as a Leader- The Muse8 Signs Your Boss Sees You as a Leader- The MuseIts natural to wonder Whats next?- or, more accurately, when youll climb to the next rung on the ladder in your career. In an ideal world, your boss would just tell you whenever youre making moves in the right direction. But its not an ideal world, and for a variety of reasons, a manager doesnt always tell a direct report he or she is a rising leader. So, you may have to find otherbei signs that your company believes in you and your potential for growth. Sure, being assigned a leadership coach or getting invited to attend a specialized program for management are obvious indicators. But there are other, more subtle signs that might be equally telling. 1. Youre Asked to Do Weird JobsEvery organization has a set of core tasks that people at different levels perform, but most companies also get one-off projects that they willingly do to satisfy a key customer or as an experiment in a new cate gory. Being asked to work on something without a roadmap is often a vote of confidence.Keep in MindIf youre asked to do a task that falls outside your job description, say yes and show youre willing to take on additional projects. (Unless, of course, you dont have the expertise, support, or bandwidth.) But if you can, and fitting it in will just be a little outside your comfort zone, see this as opportunity to show how you can stretch.2. You Notice That People Come to You for HelpTheres a big difference between being good at your job and good at helping others do their jobs- and a lot fewer people are good at the teaching and mentoring aspect. If people are coming to you, they either figured out you excel at something , or they were sent to you as a knowledgeable resource. Either way, its a good sign. Keep in MindWhen people do ask for your assistance, dont do the job for them- instead show them how you think about the task and help them find their own path to be successful. This ap proach demonstrates that youre management material, someone capable of making good people great.3. Youre Sent to Help OthersThis move is a frequent favorite among some managers. Lets say your colleague is trying to untangle a complex mess and it looks like he wont make a looming deadline. Your boss asks you to help out, which is really shorthand for this person is struggling and I dont have time, would you please make his problems go away? Keep in MindAgain, dont just roll up your sleeves and fix everything. Listen to your co-workers perspective and then report back to your supervisor with a constructive solution that gets the work done- and allows your colleague to keep his job. 4. Youre Invited to More Brainstorming SessionsBehind just about every successful initiative or program is a group of people who were invited to think about it before it began. Being invited means your manager values your opinion.Keep in MindThese arent problem-solving sessions, they are thinking sessions, so dont assume your job is to know all the answers. In a thinking conversation, its more important to help zero in on the important questions than it is to have all the answers.5. You Get More Direct, Critical, and Precise FeedbackThese comments says a lot. If you work in a feedback culture and have been flagged as a leader-in-training, expect people to be more attentive to how you work, not less. Keep in MindYou might find that some of your managers critiques feels too picky or hard to act on. Dont worry (yet), just take it in and listen to it. This kind of conversation is almost always a gift, so receive it that way. Look for the kernel of truth that you can learn from and use. You dont have to agree with everything you hear, but you do need to avoid getting defensive. Practice listening and saying thanks.6. You Feel More NeglectedI know, this is the polar opposite of being inundated with feedback, but you might experience both pretty close together. Youll feel flooded with critic al comments one week, then completely ignored for the next month. Sometimes, bosses want to see how proactive and self-starting their future leaders are. Those who need less care and feeding may have the edge over those who need constant reinforcement and direction to be productive. Keep in MindIf this situation sounds familiar, make a point to provide your manager with semi-frequent but very brief updates that convey the message Im doing fine, but I wanted to keep you in the loop on important projects and milestones Im working toward. 7. Youre Invited to Join a gruppe That Doesnt Have a BossBoss-less teams are more the norm today than ever before, but thats because management has usually seen someone- or multiple people- on the team with strong leadership skills. So, they know that leadership will show up within the group when its needed. Keep in MindBe the person who knows how to work well with others and who can act like a boss or a follower. Assume there are others in the group who are doing the same thing.8. You See Shifts in Your Relationship With ManagementYour boss may be moving away from spending as much time with you because youve been slated for a promotion and are leaving her group, or her manager may be spending more time with you to get to know you before you are moved into a new role thats closer to her. The shift means something. Keep in MindYou dont necessarily need to know whats happening, just roll with it and if you are confused, mention it as an observation that needs clarification- not a complaint. The best training comes from doing real work, in real life and real time. Its difficult and potentially dangerous for your boss to say, Hey, you are a leader-in-training because of the expectation and pressure it sets-up. But if you are being noticed for your managerial skills, there will be signs All you have to do is notice them.

Mythical Answers to Resume Content Exposed

Mythical Answers to Resume Content Exposed If you are searching for a position in a different niche, a functional resume can demonstrate you have the critical skills necessary to be successful. Be realistic about what you need to be aiming for in your career at this time. There are several ways to structure your resume. Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously provide you an advantage. The Unusual Secret of Resume Content To learn more on what it requires to be a Content Manager, take a look at our complete Content Manager Job Description. Computer skills are particularly important to note. You desire an entry-level job for a web content writer. For inspiration, take a look at the subsequent Data Analyst resume sample What Has to be Done About Resume Content In relation to the layout, its very important that every work listed is visually separate from the others. As part of picking the best resume builder, consider whether it provides you with the flexibi lity to modify section headings. Within the next step you pick a layout. You dont need to invent a totally new layout. Other skills you can have acquired without ever doing a course might be of interest to a recruiter. List all the education and training which you have received that is connected to the job which you are looking for. You must also chat about past experience. Your experience should address every essential qualification in the job announcement. Include an objective whenever you are pursuing a particular job goal and when you know the precise title of the position youre applying for. To begin with, select professional accomplishments pertinent to the position youre applying for. A starter collection of skills you will need is just below. Finally, youll still require solid resume content to truly sell yourself to employers. The Meaning of Resume Content Resume writing for nurses should not be an additional struggle. Resume writing can appear intimidating, particularly if youve never done it before. Functional resumes are excellent for highlighting transferable skills that are going to be applicable to your new field of work. Chronological resumes arent the ideal fit for fresh graduates since they dont have a lot of knowledge in the very first place. Because web content managers work mainly with computers, you will want to incorporate a wide selection of technical abilities and qualifications. If you dont have a lot of experience but have diverse abilities, you may want to look at a combination resume. Choosing which to use depends upon the kind of job which you are applying for and your degree of experience. There are three sorts of resumes, each with its own benefits and pitfalls. The Pain of Resume Content Also, be certain youre using strong verbs. There are a couple of general guidelines for showcasing your experience and abilities on just a couple of pages of text. When youve reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resume s across fields to learn how to vary the usage of action verbs and receive a feel for what makes an effective accomplishment stellungnahme. Resume Content Ideas Therefore, its not a fantastic notion to take an internship as an effortless thing. By then, youll have used Big Interview to prepare and practice so you may talk about your reasons in a constructive and professional way. Our final bit of resume advice is straightforward, tell your story. The solution is it depends. Resume Content - the Story Your purpose is to land an interview by giving the employer a compelling summary of the job abilities and experience that make you a nice candidate. The objective statement only explains what sort of nursing job youre seeking. If youre attempting to obtain work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. Your objective tells a prospective employer the kind of work youre currently pursuing. It can be useful to check at job boards to find out what technical skills employers require. When you have skills which are no longer utilised in the business, considering removing them from your resume. If youre targeting work beyond the defense arena, youll need to civilianize your military language to demonstrate your abilities and experience match the employers needs. Resume Content Ideas Recruiters also like to visit a contact person and a telephone number here, because it makes it effortless for them to confirm your experience and receive an opinion on how you performed. The heading is an easy approach to introduce your basic info. Resumes are rather predictable in features and data, but some choices need to be made. Choosing Good Resume Content Be sure your resume demonstrates that youve got the communication and project management skills required to undertake big projects and you have an established reputation for working closely with clients. Experienced Professional Resume An expert expert security guard is a person who has about a deca de of experience in the business. Federal jobs often need you to have experience in a special type of work for some period of time. Your resume should demonstrate that youre capable of coordinating projects and supervising different employees, in addition to display your capacity to work with clients.

How Your Small Business Can Deal with a New Competitor in the Marketplace - Spark Hire

How Your Small Business Can Deal with a New Competitor in the Marketplace - Spark HireWhen youre a small business owner, a new competitor in town can feel menacing. However, just because some competition pops up in the marketplace, doesnt mean that your own company is doomed. Utilize these strategies in order to neutralize the threat and keep your business moving forwardDont immediately slash your pricesFor some business owners, the natural instinct is to slash prices as soon as a new competitor pops up on the horizon. The thought is that this will make you most desirable to your clients, giving you the advantage. While you certainly want to make sure that your prices are competitive, making them as low as possible wont necessarily ensure that your business thrives, and can actually end up hurting you in the long run. Instead, focus on the quality of your product or service and strong marketing efforts.Dont talk smack about your competition to your customersFight the temptation to go around talking smack about the new guy in town to anyone who will listen. Even if what youre saying is true, this makes you look unprofessional. It also shows that youre threatened by the presence of this new business. Instead, focus on highlighting the positive attributes of your own company, only talking about the competition when asked.Find your nicheWhen new competition pops up, it simply means that your business needs to find its niche. Yes, there can be two coffee shops in the same town, as long as youre offering different kinds of coffee or different experiences. Differentiate yourself from your competition and youll find that your client kusine wont shrink just because theres someone else in town offering something similar.Take an honest look at your processUse this time to get honest feedback from your customers and potential customers. What are you doing well? What could you be doing differently? What service could you offer that would really benefit your clients? By doin g this, youre making yourself invaluable to the people you serve.How did you handle the presence of new competition in your area? Let us know in the comments Image Rawpixel/BigStock.com