Many of the high-level clients who seek me out are in a period of career transition. They want to take the next big leap forward, usually to a higher leadership position where they will have more responsibility and more impact. Even though they are extremely experienced with a strong track record of proven successes, they don’t feel confident in their ability to show up as powerfully as possible. As we practice for job interviews, areas of communication weakness are revealed. While there is some variation in these areas, one issue in particular comes up again and again.
It comes down to this: when you’re in the process of interviewing for a high-level role, you must communicate that you intend to shape the role. That means you set clear expectations for what you wish to accomplish, the autonomy you need to get it done, and the way you expect to be treated. During interviews many women will focus on what is written in the job description, and over-explain how their experience makes them qualified. But if you’re already in the interview room for a high-level role, it’s understood that you can do the basics of the job. Often women are afraid of being perceived as demanding or arrogant by speaking up about these things. I urge you to keep in mind that high-level leaders are expected to make their needs and wants clear. If you don’t do that, you might inadvertently signal that you don’t really see yourself as a competent leader, and aren't up for the job at hand. To make a strong impression and inspire powerful confidence in your skills, knowledge, and expertise, you have to go beyond your limits.
Communicating clearly and without apology is not arrogant! It’s the most efficient way to get what you want and achieve your goals. Of course, you should always practice for job interviews. You can write out 5-10 questions that you anticipate you’ll be asked during the interview, and practice delivering your answers in a clear, concise, and compelling way (you can also practice asking your own questions of the interviewer).
For high-level job interviews, practice communicating these three things:
That you expect to shape the role you’re taking on. Shaping the role is what will lead to your greatest success. Let them know that you expect a high degree of autonomy, so that you can work quickly and efficiently and accomplish XYZ (see my previous post on the 4 Magic Words for more info). Speak to your future vision for your team, your project and the company, and talk about what you need to achieve it all. My clients who do this have been able to achieve great things and are much more fulfilled in their careers overall.
That you expect to be given full credit for your achievements in the role, both privately and publicly. This is the one that my clients find the most difficult to ask for, and I understand that it can feel vulnerable. But women’s accomplishments are chronically undervalued in the workplace, at every level and across every sector. You may have already had the demoralizing experience of having your hard work ignored, sidelined or even demeaned. Or you may have spent your entire career suspecting that your work is worth much more than you’ve ever been given credit for. In any case, you must be crystal-clear about receiving credit, and give specifics (ex: being given public credit at Board meetings, and/or being recognized as the expert in the room on high-level client calls). Don’t skip this step, or you could end up getting the same old treatment.
That you expect to maintain a robust degree of ownership over your work. This one actually relates to #2, but it’s more about what happens at the salary/compensation level. If part of your role involves creating and/or designing original products and/or content, and there is an opportunity for you to own some percentage of the profit sharing, you must ask for this in the interview. Let them know that you won’t sign on unless they guarantee it. Some of my clients have deep regrets about not asking for this from the beginning, as they saw their hard work skyrocket into massive sales that left them out in the cold. Of course the specific percentages may be dependent on achieving key sales and/or engagement metrics, but regardless, you must make it clear that you expect to participate in profit sharing.
These are just some of the techniques I work on with my clients. I give private Power Voice For Executive Women session packages to highly motivated individuals. I also give Power Communication trainings to groups of Executives and professionals at companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Columbia Bank, Carharrt and Kimpton Hotels, both remotely and in person. CONTACT ME for more info about my trainings, rates and availability. I love hearing from you!