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The job application process may seem like one that would be free of gender bias since it is essentially an assessment of your qualifications and ability to work. But while this process should be strictly merit-based, in reality, the bias creeps in even before the application is submitted.
Have you heard of the research study that concluded that women apply for jobs only when they meet 100% of the qualifications while men apply even at a 60% match?
When the confidence gap is so high, it is important to understand what you need to consider when applying for a job as a woman and how you can make your application more attractive.
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Set Your Goals Early
Before even starting the job search, it is great to have your goals set early about what you are looking to achieve through the process.
While hiring timelines can be a bit overwhelming, it can be helpful to create timelines and deadlines on what you want to accomplish each day when you’re searching for jobs.
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Believe In Yourself And Your Skills
While there is some speculation on why women are less likely to apply for a job, some experts point to a confidence gap.
The whole point of an interview is to assess how confident the employer feels in your skills to do the job. If the only person that knows you the most (You!) does not feel confident in your abilities, how do you expect an outsider to?
You need to have the confidence to advocate for yourself and help assuage any concerns raised against your candidature.
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Refine Your Application
It is a no-brainer that you need to have a good application to be considered for the job but there are many things that contribute to this “good” application.
When applying, you will almost always require a resume/CV with the addition of other documents depending on your industry. Job hunting is a tiring and long process but there are ways to simplify it.
For example, you can get assignment writing help for other added documents that you need to provide such as a personal statement or a case study. You can also enlist the help of others when proofreading to make sure you are putting your best foot forward.
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Do Industry Specific Interview Prep
If you are new to a job industry or recently reentering the workforce, you might need to brush up on what is new in your industry.
For example, someone who is applying for a coding job will need to prepare differently from someone who is applying for a professorship at a university.
Whatever it is, you need to be ready to show that you can fit into the industry of your choice.
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Turn Your Weaknesses Into Strengths
We all have aspects of our qualifications that we are insecure about such as experience working with advanced industry-leading software or even soft skills such as negotiations during mergers.
There are so many free courses available that are taught by industry experts and give you a great opportunity to learn from the best from the comfort of your home.
Employers are quick to sense your hesitation about any specific skill so it is great to have a certification that you can refer to in order to increase your credibility.
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Let Your Interest Show
Towards the beginning of an interview, the interviewer is usually in a better mood and will often start with a “Tell me about yourself” type question. This is your chance to let your personality shine and to let the interviewer like you as a person before they assess what kind of an employee you will be.
Take a minute to highlight some things that you are passionate about such as volunteering or how you are working towards diversity and inclusion in your own life. After all, good employers are looking for people that can add value to their culture, not robots they can train.
All in all, there are many ups and downs in the job search process, the best thing that you can do for yourself is to keep your head high and advocate for yourself when face to face with an interviewer.