Times have changed. You’ve probably heard that a lot in reference to just about everything. However, times have changed a lot for women in the workplace. From fighting for the right to work to getting equal pay, women have been working for years to create a presence in the workforce. They no longer sit on the sidelines when it comes to their careers.
If we listed all the tips and pieces of advice that can help women climbing the corporate ladder, we’d be here all day. There are a few key tips to keep in mind as you work toward climbing the corporate ladder in your respected field. Being confident in yourself and your abilities while also maintaining a growth mindset can help you catapult into that next position or that promotion you’ve been vying for. It’s just as important to network to build a support system, seek out leadership roles when presented, and know what you’re trying to accomplish.
For now, I’ll detail these five key tips that most women in power agree on to help you move up in your career.
1. Be Confident in Being You
”No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
In just a few words, that quote spoke volumes. When you are confident in your skills and communicate with that confidence, people will listen. Speaking with confidence gives off a strong presence that can command a room. No one can take your confidence away unless you allow it to happen. Shoulders back, head held high, and project your voice. Just think about it.
If your supervisor was telling you about some big changes in your department, but the whole time they were mumbling with bad posture and not making eye contact, you might wonder if they even know what they’re talking about. You probably wouldn’t trust what they’re saying and feel uneasy about the changes. You may even seek information from a different supervisor who does exude that confident persona.
When climbing the corporate ladder, you have to show confidence with your voice and body language. When someone shows they are confident in their work, coworkers and management are more likely to trust them. Your confidence will boost your job growth prospects.
2. Focus on Growing Your Skills.
Years ago I applied to work in a retail store as a sales associate for their Home Theater department, essentially selling TVs and home audio equipment. During my interview, the assistant manager quizzed me n my knowledge of this, and similar, departments. It became apparent after a few questions and “jokes” that the manager didn’t think I knew anything about this department. Jokes on him, I used my knowledge and the research I did the day before of popular tv models, audio equipment setups, and even new releasing games for this “pop quiz”. The assistant manager hired me on the spot to sell in three departments; Home Theater, Car Electronics, and Gaming.
No other females worked in these departments when I started, nor for quite a while after I was hired. The customers couldn’t see past the fact that I was a woman selling in these areas. So I set out to demand respect by gaining skills and knowledge. Within 6 months I became one of the top salespeople in my departments, and soon the entire store. Managers picked me to close big sales, coworkers sought me out for advice, I had repeat customers, and the GM promoted me. I became the trojan horse of the store and it felt great when I was chosen to represent the store in front of district managers and higher ups.
Building up your skills, brick by brick, will earn you a place at the table and respect in that department or industry. If you feel out of your depth or not being taken seriously in your field, there are so many tools at your disposal to become an expert in your field and propel yourself forward. How far you go depends on what skills you are willing to acquire along the way.
3. Networking Promotes Growth.
Mixers, chat & chews, and seminars. These are just a few of the opportunities available to working professionals. For women, networking is especially important in helping to close the gender gap in the workforce. When you network you have the ability to talk with like-minded people and flex your communication skills. This enables you to meet other women in the workforce in different fields or in higher positions, potentially gaining a mentor or even a new job prospect.
Women only events are becoming increasingly more popular because they’re dedicated to empowering women and helping them become more confident, without the gender barriers. Looking to switch careers? Making connections can help you expand your horizon and branch into a new field. Another benefit is for women who are already in a prominent position in their company to guide and advise other women who look up to them. Networking offers so many chances for career growth and learning opportunities. An extremely useful took for networking quickly is LinkedIn. An app dedicated to making business connections and tools to climb the corporate ladder.
4. Seek Out Leadership Opportunities.
Most positions of power in a company are those in leadership. Whether it’s leading a team or leading the company, those are the types of positions that make the decisions. However, you have to earn the right to make those decisions. How can you be promoted to a position of power without taking initiative and showing leadership capabilities? Take the lead on the next project or lead the team meeting. Practice makes perfect, and the more you put yourself out there the more comfortable you’ll feel leading and communicating with others.
All women in the workforce looking to climb the corporate ladder should be building skills to help them succeed in their leadership roles. Skills such as active listening, effective communication, and team building are essential for leading successfully.
If you don’t know where to start or how to grow your leadership skills, there are many seminars and training programs available. These can help you grow your leadership skills and boost your confidence when speaking to a team. Especially as a woman in the workforce, when an opportunity to take the lead arises, seize the opportunity and make it count!
5. Set Clear Goals to Achieve.
Imagine you go to the gym and decide to have a good workout. You walk inside and stare at the dozens of gym contraptions, the line of different dumbbells, and a room full of people bouncing from one machine to the next. Where do you go first? Maybe you grab some dumbbells and do bicep curls or do some leg presses and work your quads? Is it leg day or arm day or glute day? Cardio? Without a plan and a goal for what you want to achieve, you may just stand there lost. Personal trainers always ask, “What brings you to the gym? What do you want to accomplish?”
In the workplace, it’s the same thing, but usually with much less sweat. You have to know what you’re trying to accomplish to create the best route to get there. Are you trying to get promoted? Do you want to branch into a different department? Maybe you want to land that next big contract or client? When you set a goal you can focus on what it takes to get there. Just don’t forget what Oprah Winfrey said, “ Don’t put a ceiling on yourself.” That means to continuously strive for success, hit one goal and then make another goal without limiting your own potential. That is essential to climbing the corporate ladder.
Bonus. How to Empower Women in the Workforce.
I know you’re wondering, “I thought we’ve already covered 5 tips?” Well, I thought it would be beneficial to shift perspectives and also provide a few key points for empowering women in the workplace.
According to the American Psychology Association, “decades of studies show women leaders help increase productivity, enhance collaboration, inspire organizational dedication, and improve fairness.”
They go on to provide research based results that show when it comes to the workforce, women are more likely to inspire their coworkers, be more outgoing, and improve team collaboration and problem solving.
When you see a candidate with potential and drive, give them the opportunity to succeed. You don’t know what someone will do in a specific position or what they’re capable of achieving, until they are put on the spot.
In the past, women were rarely considered for leadership positions in the workplace, armed forces, or political positions. We are starting to see more women in positions of power, but we’re not there yet. On the 2025 Fortune 500 list, women only accounted for 11% of all CEOs. According to a study done by LinkedIn, only 30% of women currently hold leadership positions. Seeking to diversify the leaders in your company, and incorporate more women in positions of power can definitely be beneficial. If you notice that your management team is looking very male dominated, consider looking at your hiring practices and maybe taking a different approach come promotion time. Equality in the workplace is often stated, but not always practiced. Ensuring equal pay and opportunities is a significant step in the right direction. Times have changed, but they need to keep changing.