Best Career Advice for Women who want to be Successful

I often present workshops and keynotes to women’s groups on the best way to excel in the workplace. While there are a lot of breakthroughs, ah-hah moments, and a few tears, I’ve quickly noticed trends among all young women and experience women in the corporate world. During my years in the corporate world, I climbed the ladder quickly, quit toxic jobs and managers, led teams, received promotions (that I asked for), and made career changes when I needed. But, this isn’t about me… it’s about you! My goal is to help you thrive as a woman in the workplace. In this article, I’m going to share my best career advice for women.

As you know,navigating a successful career path is a journey filled with challenges, opportunities, and learning moments. For us as women, this journey can often be layered with additional complexities, such as balancing personal and professional lives, breaking through the glass ceiling, and challenging societal expectations. Whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced professional, the right career advice can make all the difference. This article has been carefully and intentionally designed to offer practical, actionable advice tailored to you as a working women. By the end of this you’ll be able to confidently advocate for yourself, invest in your growth, and build a fulfilling career (on your terms!)

10 Pieces of Career Advice for Women

1. Get Comfortable with Advocating for Yourself

Growing up, my parents always told me, “a closed mouth doesn’t get fed.” Once I entered corporate environments, I began to understand exactly what they meant. If you want to be a successful woman, one of the most important things you can do in your career is to become your own best advocate in your professional life and in your personal life.

Why? No one can read your mind. Not your family, not your friends, and especially not your boss. If there’s something you want, you need to advocate for yourself. Whether it’s a raise, more flexibility, support, feedback, training, or time off, you need to make it known. Heck, if you want all of the above, make sure to say that. And before you say, “am I asking too much?” The short answer is, NO!

You will spend most of your waking hours at work, you need to make sure that you’re in an environment that allows you to thrive, feel appreciated, and reach your goals!

Remember, self-advocacy isn’t just about speaking up for yourself in meetings or asking for a raise, it’s about consistently promoting your value and ensuring that your contributions are recognized.

As women, we often face imposter syndrome, which can make self-advocacy challenging. This might cause you to doubt your abilities or feel that you don’t deserve your success, but overcoming these feelings is crucial. (that’s a whole different article… or coaching session!)

How to start:

Start by recognizing what it is you want and need, as well as acknowledging your achievements. Keep a record of your successes, big and small, and don’t shy away from sharing these wins with your leadership team. And no, this isn’t about bragging, it’s about making sure that your hard work is visible to those who can help advance your career. Remember, if you don’t advocate for yourself, no one else will. Over time, as you consistently promote your value, it will become second nature, helping you secure new opportunities and roles that align with your career path.

Want a jumpstart on identifying your career goals and mapping out your plan for success? Download the Career Goal Journal that I created!

2. Get a Mentor

Everyone (no matter career level or age) needs a mentor. Mentorship can be a major game-changer in your career. Why? A good mentor can provide advocacy, facilitate connections, provide guidance, show support, and give advice that is tailored to your specific career goals. Mentors can help you navigate the complexities of workplace politics, develop new skills, and open doors to opportunities you might not have known of otherwise.

I created a LinkedIn class and made a chapter all about how to find a mentor, you can check it out here!

Finding a good mentor from Skills for Your First 90 Days as a New Manager by Chelsea Jay

When seeking a mentor, look for someone whose career trajectory aligns with your own aspirations. This could be a senior manager within your company, a respected thought leader in your industry, or even an executive coach who specializes in career development. Female mentors can be particularly beneficial, as they often have firsthand experience with the challenges you may face as a woman in the workplace.

It’s important to note that mentorship is a two-way street. Be open to a good balance of negative and positive feedback, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The insights you gain from a mentor can be the catalyst for significant career growth, helping you avoid common pitfalls and make informed decisions that align with your long-term goals.

3. Invest in Yourself

The world is constantly changing and as much as change may feel hard, you owe it to yourself to keep up! This means, you will have to push yourself out of your comfort zone by seeking new learning opportunities. Continuous learning and development are necessary to stay marketable. Investing in yourself means taking the time to acquire new skills, stay updated with industry trends, and seek out opportunities for professional development. You don’t necessarily have to go back to school; there are plenty of ways to learn and grow outside of traditional educational settings.

AD- Three of my favorite skill building platforms are LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and Udemy. They all have a wide variety of online classes depending on what skills you’re interested in gaining, from building a management ready reputation, to embracing AI, improving your communication skills, and so much more! (Hey, I even have a class on LinkedIn Learning that you can check out!)

LinkedIn Learning

Are you interested in building your management reputation? Check out my article, The Best Online Courses for First Time Managers.

Coursera

Ready to upskill and stay competitive in today’s job market? Coursera offers industry-recognized courses from top universities and companies. Learn at your own pace and enhance your career. Find your next course here!

Udemy

Take control of your learning with Udemy! With thousands of affordable courses covering everything from business to personal development, you can gain new skills anytime, anywhere. Browse courses now!

You should also consider attending industry-related workshops and conferences, enrolling in online courses, or even reading books that can help you develop new competencies. Adopting a growth mindset is key here—view challenges as opportunities to learn rather than obstacles to overcome. The more skills you acquire, the more valuable you become to your current employer and to future opportunities.

Investing in yourself also means setting professional goals and working toward them with dedication. Whether it’s achieving a leadership position, starting your own business, or becoming an expert in your field, setting clear goals will help you stay focused and motivated. Remember, the most successful careers are built by those who are proactive about their growth and are willing to step outside their comfort zones to learn something new.

4. You Don’t Have to Do Everything by Yourself – Ask for Help

I love that you’re here because it means that you’re proactive with seeking help for boosting your career. Since you’re here, you may also want to check out my article that I wrote, 50+ Best Career Tips and Advice for a Successful Career – Seasoned and Growing

Many women feel the need to do everything themselves, whether it’s due to a desire to prove their capabilities or the misconception that asking for help is a sign of weakness. However, this mindset can lead to burnout and missed opportunities for collaboration.

Building a strong support system is essential for long-term success. Surround yourself with colleagues, mentors, and friends who can provide guidance, offer different perspectives, and help you navigate challenging situations. Remember, you don’t have to have all the answers or do everything on your own. Collaboration can lead to better outcomes and new opportunities.

Moreover, asking for help doesn’t diminish your abilities; it shows that you’re resourceful and able to leverage the strengths of others to achieve your goals. In fact, most successful women attribute part of their success to the support and advice they received from others. So, don’t hesitate to reach out when you need assistance, whether it’s with a specific project or career advice in general.

5. It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

The fear of making mistakes can be paralyzing, especially in a professional setting. However, it’s important to remember that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. No one gets everything right on the first try, and the most successful people often have a long list of failures behind them.

What matters is not the mistake itself, but how you respond to it. Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, focus on what you can learn from the experience. Each mistake is an opportunity to gain new insights and improve your skills. This mindset shift can transform mistakes from something to be feared into valuable learning opportunities.

Moreover, being open about your mistakes can foster a more transparent and collaborative work environment. When you’re honest about your missteps, it encourages others to do the same, creating a culture where learning and growth are prioritized over perfection.

6. Stop Apologizing All the Time – It’s a Bad Habit

I’m guilty of this one (especially earlier in my career). Many women have a tendency to apologize frequently, often for things that don’t require an apology. This habit can undermine your authority and make you appear less confident. While it’s important to be polite and considerate, over-apologizing can send the message that you’re unsure of yourself or that you don’t believe in your own abilities.

Instead of apologizing, try reframing your language. For example, instead of saying, “I’m sorry I’m late,” you could say, “Thank you for your patience.” This small change in language can make a big difference in how you’re perceived by others.

Additionally, pay attention to the situations where you tend to apologize the most. Are you apologizing for expressing your opinions, asking questions, or taking up space? These are all things that don’t warrant an apology. By being more mindful of when and why you apologize, you can start to break the habit and communicate with more confidence.

7. Get Comfortable with Saying No

This is a life skill that you need to master! Saying no can be difficult, especially in a professional setting where you want to be seen as a team player. However, saying yes to every request can lead to burnout and can prevent you from focusing on the tasks that are most important to your career.

Setting boundaries is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance and for ensuring that you have the time and energy to dedicate to your most important goals. It’s okay to say no to tasks that don’t align with your priorities or that will overextend you. In fact, being selective about what you take on can actually make you more effective in your role.

When you do say no, be firm but polite. You don’t need to provide a lengthy explanation—simply stating that you’re unable to take on additional tasks at this time is sufficient. Remember, your time and energy are valuable resources, and it’s important to protect them.

8. It’s Okay to Step Outside of the Norm and Traditional Career Fields

The career paths traditionally followed by women are often shaped by societal expectations and historical norms. However, today’s job market offers a wide range of opportunities, many of which lie outside the traditional fields. Don’t be afraid to explore career options that are less conventional or that might not align with the status quo.

For example, women have made significant strides in fields like technology, finance, and entrepreneurship—areas that were once dominated by men. If you’re interested in a non-traditional career path, don’t let stereotypes or a lack of representation hold you back. Pursue the career that excites you and aligns with your strengths, even if it’s outside the norm.

Moreover, stepping outside of traditional career fields can lead to significant innovation and impact. Many of the most successful women in business today have built their careers by venturing into new territories and challenging the status quo. So, be bold in your career choices, and don’t be afraid to forge your own path.

9. You Are Who You Hang With – Build Your Support System

The people you surround yourself with can have a profound impact on your career. Your network—both professional and personal—can provide support, guidance, and opportunities. Building a strong support system is essential for navigating the challenges of your career and for achieving long-term success.

Seek out relationships with people who inspire you, challenge you, and support your goals. This might include colleagues, mentors, friends, and industry peers. Don’t be afraid to let go of relationships that are toxic or that don’t align with your values. Remember, you are who you hang with, and surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.

Additionally, don’t underestimate the power of networking. Building relationships with others in your industry can open doors to new opportunities and can provide valuable insights and advice. Make it a priority to regularly connect with others, whether through industry events, online communities, or one-on-one meetings.

10. Teach People How to Treat You

One of the most important aspects of building a successful career is setting clear expectations with others. Whether it’s with colleagues, clients, or superiors, how you allow others to treat you will have a significant impact on your work environment and overall job satisfaction.

Teach people how to treat you by being clear about your boundaries, expectations, and standards. Don’t be afraid to speak up if someone crosses a line or if you feel that you’re not being treated with the respect you deserve. By setting clear boundaries and enforcing them consistently, you can create a work environment that is respectful, supportive, and conducive to your success.

It’s also important to model the behavior you expect from others. Treat your colleagues with respect, be reliable and professional, and hold yourself to the same standards you set for others. This will not only help you earn respect but will also set a positive example for those around you.

Conclusion

Building a successful career as a woman comes with its own unique set of challenges, but with the right mindset, strategies, and support, you can navigate these challenges and achieve your professional goals. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance to the next level, the advice in this article can help you take control of your career and build the future you envision. Remember, your career is yours to shape—don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself, invest in your growth, and set the boundaries you need to succeed.

By embracing these strategies and being proactive about your career development, you can break through barriers, overcome challenges, and build a fulfilling and successful career. The journey might not always be easy, but with determination, resilience, and the right support, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. So go out there, take charge of your career, and show the world what you’re capable of.

Cheers to your success!