Want to Be a Boss? 20 Career Strategies Every Young Woman Needs

A formal education is one of the most powerful weapons you have in your career. It’s not only about the knowledge either: while getting an education, you learn important skills like critical thinking. LiveCareer suggests that you get the highest level of education possible, even if you need to use distance learning while working. With financial discipline you’ll be able to pay off student loans fast.

To become an expert in your field, you need to keep on training throughout your career, even if it’s in informal ways. Wisestep says that you should aim to have portable skills that you can apply in different areas of the industry you’re working in, so read trade publications, attend conferences, and so on. Training opportunities are one of the best perks Canadian companies can offer.

Even if you’re not in a formal leadership position, you can find a leadership role where you’ll become the organization’s go-to person. Inc. says that you need to find a role that you can excel in, whether it’s conflict resolution, remaining calm in a crisis or solving problems.

Knowledge and skills that go beyond your job description is one of the best assets women in leadership positions have. According to Entrepreneur, versatility, the ability to provide valuable information and being able to adapt to the organization’s needs will make you a trusted team member and can lead to bigger things. For inspiration, look at Canadian companies with female CEO.

According to Wisestep, women tend to have a different way of communicating than men and their ability to build interpersonal relationships is increasingly being valued. Work on your communication skills and use them whenever you can to make your presence felt.

Women are more reluctant than men to speak up in meetings but as Inc. points out, you can’t expect others to have confidence in you if you don’t believe you have anything worth saying. Of course speaking up is easier if you’re an extrovert and you might want to consider looking for one of the best jobs for extroverts in Canada.

Problems can’t always be solved in a traditional way and one of the secrets of how to be a leader is the ability to think creatively but logically. As Entrepreneur says, these two approaches go hand in hand in an environment where women can thrive.

The details can make or break a business decision. Entrepreneur suggests that you dive into the details and methodically look for anything others may have missed. Knowing all the details will make you more valuable to the company and will help drive informed decision making. Digging through the details is something introverts often enjoy doing, or you can consider one of the great careers for introverts.

Good business decisions aren’t ones that are made on the spur of the moment but need to be carefully thought through. As Entrepreneur says, if you have any concerns or recommendations, the best way to convince others is to back up what you’re saying with real proof in the form of, for example, case studies and success metrics.

Wisestep suggests that you look for a mentor: someone who will guide you and who you can turn to for advice. It can be someone in a powerful position in the company or who has extensive experience in the field. You can pay it forward one day: becoming a mentor is one of the best things to do after you retire.

LiveCareer says that men tend to focus on powerful, influential people when they network. However, women’s tendency to build more inclusive, egalitarian networks gives them access to a wider and more diverse range of contacts. You may also want to consider an all-women networking group to help you find a mentor and support.

Inc. points out that if you take care of yourself, you show others that you’re worthy of respect. It will also give you more energy to focus on your career. Healthy eating habits and regular work-outs are just some of the things successful women do every day.

If you’re trying to meet the demands of your career and family life without ever asking for help, you’re increasing your risk of burn-out. Inc. says that you need to create a strong support system and ask for help when you need it. In fact, having a good support team is one of the daily habits that could make you a millionaire.

Women often try to become pleasers as a way of getting noticed. However, as Inc. says, always trying to please everybody can make you seem unsure of yourself. Be nice, by all means, but don’t take on little tasks, like making coffee, that will detract from your work.

Entrepreneur says that filling your mind with positive thoughts is a way of counteracting negativity such as difficult clients or co-workers. One way of remaining positive is to mind what you say and to remember the things smart employees never talk about at work.

One of the biggest mistakes that can hold you back in your career is not to be assertive. Don’t allow yourself to be interrupted when you speak, learn how to say "no" and, as Entrepreneur suggests, banish the word “sorry” from your vocabulary unless you have done the other person wrong.

The way you shake hands can tell the other person a lot about you. Entrepreneur says that a firm, direct handshake presents you as powerful and confident.

One of the keys to success is believing in your skills and abilities. To help you become more confident, Wisestep suggests that you track your accomplishments and build a career portfolio. This will show others that you have earned your spot on the ladder to success and will make it easier to ask for a raise.

Having clear career goals will help motivate you to do better and overcome obstacles. However, as Wisestep says, you need to be flexible so that you can adapt to changes. For example, know which Canadian careers will be in demand after 2020.

Dressing the part will build your confidence and communicate to others that you know what you’re doing. Entrepreneur suggests that you also dress for the occasion, so before meeting with a client, research his or her company’s image, values and internal office environment.