If you’re a chick who dares to dream big, add these to your list
Though few would argue that women have made significant progress in the last fifty years, most would agree that the playing field has yet to be entirely leveled when it comes to promotions, job opportunities, and high-profile projects. Despite the fact that a number of women now hold jobs as CEOs of some of the most recognized companies around the world (i.e. eBay, Avon Products, Pepsi, Kraft, Ann Taylor, Sara Lee, Xerox, Yahoo!), female CEOs still rake in nearly three times less than the average male CEO. For the chick who dares to dream big, check out any of the following books to find out how you can take control of your career. The Go-Getter Girl’s Guide: Get What You Want in Work and Life (and Look Great While You’re at it) Debra Shigley There is always that one girl in the office, the one whose folders and binders are color-coded and alphabetized; the one who wears Gucci heels and sports a new Louis Vuitton bag every week; the one who despite drafting a last-minute business proposal till midnight comes striding into work the next morning with a big smile (and no sign of sleeping bags). Known as the Go-Getter, this girl gets everything she wants, whenever she wants, and on her own terms. Every woman envies the career and lifestyle she has and wonders how any single person can just get so darn lucky. Thankfully, Shigley has written a guide on just how to become the Go-Getter Girl of your office, offering no-nonsense advice on ways to work (and dress) for success. The Harvard graduate interviewed hundreds of women, everyone from Spanx founder Sara Blakeley to journalist Soledad O’Brien. In this inspiring and highly useful guide, Shigley teaches girls how to find a mentor, how to take care of one’s emotional health, and how to stay on top of office politics, with career tips that encourage readers to keep their eye on the big picture. Caitlin Friedman and Kimberly Yorio Whereas most career guides and management books put readers to sleep, Friedman and Yorio’s creation is sure to keep chicks entertained with quizzes, checklists, and funny sidebars like “The Girl’s Guide to Gossip” and “Celluloid Bitches.” The book was crafted to work on multiple levels. So whether you are a fledgling manager who just got promoted or a worker who dreams of moving into the biggest office on the floor, this book has advice for you. Friedman and Yorio recognize that good management is hard to come by, which is why their advice is also backed up by the wisdom of mediators, social workers, human resource directors, writers, supervisors, managers, and coaches across the country. Every possible management issue is covered in this easy-to-read guide - from how to assume credit for your ideas to admitting you made a mistake. Check out the highly entertaining “Good Witch/Big Bitch” boxes scattered throughout the book for real-life stories of women who have witnessed both the best and worst of female management. Dr. Lois P. Frankel What is considered girlish behavior in the office? A few examples might be conceding too quickly whenever a dispute arises, relying on your friends and coworkers to make work-related decisions for you, and stressing over how other people will feel if you voice your own opinion. Printed in over 22 languages, this international bestseller compiles 101 behaviors that women acquire in girlhood and never grow out of. Dr. Frankel, a professional coach who has worked with Fortune 500 companies, examines the reasons for these behaviors and then suggests ways to overcome these negative habits. Frankel’s book balances a healthy “can-do” attitude with easy tips that women can put to use immediately, like having colleagues call you by your formal first name (i.e. Elizabeth, Katherine, Jacqueline) instead of by cute nicknames (i.e. Lizzie, Katie, Jackie). Changing your behavior, even in a few simple ways, may mean getting the promotion you deserve and moving into the corner office you always dreamed of occupying. Womenomics: Write Your Own Rules for Success Claire Shipman, Katty Kay Journalists Shipman and Kay join forces to create a powerful book that is all about demanding equality in the workplace. In the 80s and 90s, women spent most of their time fighting sexual discrimination while climbing the corporate ladder to command positions they knew they had the power to assume. Today, women are still fighting to work in an environment that suits their needs, though most are afraid to negotiate flexible hours for fear of losing their jobs or being passed over for future promotions. Shipman and Kay share anecdotes of struggles to balance their domestic duties with office demands, and offer positive tips towards creating the ideal balance between work and home. In addition to giving advice on how to control your daily schedule, the authors of Womenomics reveal ways that women can work smarter, not harder, by signing up for high-profile projects that will put you in the office spotlight. *Editor’s note: This book was incredibly inspiring, informational and an easy-read. Highly recommended for any chick who wants to see her career sour! Play Like a Man, Win Like a Woman: What Men Know About Success that Women Need to Learn Gail Evans We have all heard about the invisible “glass ceiling” that women face in the workplace, but Evans - the former executive vice president of CNN - argues that women have not yet acquired the respect and status they deserve because they fail to play the game the right way. Evans explains that men have been comfortable since a young age with using aggression and self-promotion to show who is boss in the office. Women, however, are not equipped with the same strategies and talents, choosing “to be cooperative rather than competitive, to enjoy the process rather than simply the result, and to seek approval rather than assume success.” Evans gives direct and accessible advice on how to behave under certain high-pressure situations, analyzing the different ways men and women respond to everyday business scenarios. The moral of Evans’ book is a simple one, backed by personal essays and professional words of wisdom: Play the game as well as any man, and you can still bring to the table your own unique talents and experiences. Katherine J. Chen is an English major at Princeton University with a certificate in Creative Writing. She has just started reading Debra Shigley’s The Go-Getter Girl’s Guide, and looks forward to finishing it soon!
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