Women must ensure they stand out in the jobs market

Posted on: 2011-03-16

Given the current tough state of the job market it may feel harder than ever for young women to get on the first rung of the career ladder. It's undoubtedly true that things are nowhere as easy as they were even just a few years ago, but that doesn't mean the situation is impossible and there are graduate vacancies out there.

What it does mean though is that women, just like everyone else looking for a new job, will have to go that extra mile to ensure they are impressing prospective employers. But does their gender leave women at a disadvantage? Well, there's no doubt that although great strides have been made in equality in recent years a not insignificant amount of sexism remains in the workplace. However, there are very few employers around these days who would refuse to hire someone because of their gender, but what women must do is ensure they are competing with men on an even footing.

Most people would agree that there are differences between men and women, and although these have no impact on their ability to do a job it can have an impact on their chances of getting their foot in the door. Although it's not universally true, men are more likely to blow their own trumpets than women and this can have a big impact on things. If two candidates apply for a job with identical work histories then it is the one who is best able to communicate why they have the right skills for the role that will be appointed. Even if one of the candidates is weaker, they may still be able to see off their better-qualified rival if they are betting at demonstrating what they have to offer.

Put simply, this means that women need to ensure they are willing and able to sing their own praises, both in their CVs and in a graduate interview. If they can do that, women will find their job hunt is much easier.