FIRST THOUGHT: We’re Hiring!
The job-application process is grueling. Is there anything more groan-inducing than finding the perfect job opening then realizing the application requires you to manually fill in 100 boxes with your past decade of employment, skills and references?
If you’re fortunate enough to secure an interview, anxiety sets in as you deliberate about what to wear, where to park, how many other applicants you’ll be up against and, worst of all, how you’ll answer that cruel question, “What is your greatest weakness?” Our suggestion: Push away that anxiety, put on a smile and approach it all with some confidence!
WOMEN IN NUMBERS: 86 Percent
Despite the hurdles we often have to jump to land a good job, it turns out that women really enjoy working for other women. According to data from Fairygodboss, a website that publishes reviews written by women about their employers, those who rated their employers the most fair were also more satisfied in their jobs. Among women who ranked their job satisfaction at the top, 86 percent believe their workplace to be equitable. Women who work at companies with women in management positions report even higher levels of job satisfaction, and say they are more likely to stay with a company in the long term.
WOMEN TO WATCH: Kathryn Minshew, Co-founder and CEO, and Alex Cavoulacos, Co-founder, COO and Head of Product at The Muse
If you’re a millennial and have been on the job search, chances are you’ve used the online career resource called The Muse. Co-founders of the website, Kathryn Minshew and Alexandra Cavoulacos, met while working as management consultants, and their discussions often revolved around that one big question: What do you want to do with your life? The answer put them on the path to entrepreneurship.
Later, while searching for a new job, Kathryn was shocked by the archaic nature of the online job-search process, particularly for job hunters who were unclear about what they were looking for. Someone who wants to be, say, a software engineer might not find it difficult to track down those positions. But what about the rest of the world, people who were still trying to figure it all out?
Believing the system to be broken, Alexandra and Kathryn devised their own solution: The Muse, which offers behind-the-scenes looks at job opportunities at hundreds of companies, expert career advice and access to personalized coaching. The site was an immediate success, expanding quickly within the first three months, with as many as 70,000 users.
Kathryn says one of the toughest parts about being a founder, particularly a female founder, is raising venture capital. She says people often assume a woman wants to create a small, cute business rather than a mammoth company. And Alexandra notes that building the site itself proved to be a learning challenge. Though she knew the basics of coding, she had to double down on her knowledge in order to better understand the intricacies and become a better company leader.
Teen Vogue asked Kathryn for advice for those fresh out of college. She suggests learning and conquering the basics, like perfecting a resume and cover letter, and specifically noting why the employer should hire you. And ladies, before applying for your dream job, Kathryn says you must Google yourself and remove any less than flattering web results. You don’t want your future employer checking out bachelorette-party photos after a couple minutes of internet sleuthing.
With Kathryn and Alexandra at the helm of The Muse, the modern job searcher has access to helpful experts every step of the way, and is bound to find a career that not only pays the bills, but one that’s fulfilling too.
QUITE THE QUOTE
Don’t give up on following your heart. As Indian journalist Harsha Bhogle said:
“The moment you put a deadline on your dream, it becomes a goal.”
This is Melinda Garvey signing off until next time. Remember, ladies, empowered women empower other women. Share On the Dot so more women can have a voice. Thanks for getting ready with us!
To learn more about our conversation, check us out at OnTheDotWoman.com and talk to us @OnTheDotWoman on Twitter and Instagram. We’d love to hear your voice.