Essential Personal Branding Tips for Women Climbing the Corporate Ladder

Let’s face it: ascending the corporate ladder in a primarily male-dominated field is rough. While high-level corporate representation for women is increasing bit by bit, most women in the middle-to-low ranks of the corporate world find themselves struggling to rise in a culture that isn’t built to highlight their strengths. Moreover, trying to adapt to the expectations of the corporate world is a double-edged sword – women often find themselves changing in ways that harm them, resulting in health concerns, disproportionate workloads, and abundant pressure to perform above all else.

There’s nothing wrong with the ambition to rise above the glass ceiling, but you must find a way to do it that preserves your mental and physical health. Doing so is about finding and defining your personal brand and then demonstrating behaviors that accentuate your unique value within the corporate world. Playing upon the strengths you have, instead of trying to conform to expectations from a male-dominated field, paves a path to ascension without harming yourself in the process.

In this article, we’ll quickly break down how to define your own personal brand, showing you how to fit your unique strengths into a corporate mold and stand out as a qualified professional in any industry niche.

Mastering the Art of Corporate Presentation – Your Way

When the discussion of professional dress in the workplace ensues, you may notice that the male lens of professionalism dominates quite a bit of it. Of course, we have to acknowledge that such a lens is present and that often, the professionalism of women’s dress is evaluated through it; however, that doesn’t mean you have to fit perfectly into that box and present a one-dimensional image of yourself. In fact, the outfits you wear to work can be distinctly feminine, present a multi-faceted image of yourself, and communicate your personal brand – all while being distinctly you.

It’s a delicate balance to walk, finding the line between professional expectations and personal style, but we’ve compiled a short list of tips to help you out.

• Skincare routine: Your skincare routine can actually affect your professional success, as cleaner, healthier-looking skin boosts your self-confidence and helps you make strong first impressions. It’s a small thing that, when done for you, can be a form of self-care and complement your personal brand.
• Jazz up the “essentials”: While there are certain articles of clothing that are must-haves for every corporate wardrobe, like simple dresses, pleated pants, and stylish flats, you can also complement those articles with unique articles that scream “you.” Cardigans, business casual blouses, boots, and more all fit into the catalog of acceptable corporate clothing, and assembling outfits that are corporate classic while also signifying your brand is often a matter of integrating these nontraditional elements into the status quo.
• Wear what makes you comfortable: You don’t have to come into work in a pant suit every day, or even at all; you can choose to wear clothing that allows you to move freely and express yourself, while still looking crisp and professional. Look at the clothing you choose to wear in your free time, and consider ways to bring that style into the world of corporate casual.

When you accomplish the perfect fusion of personal taste with professional dress codes, you’re presenting a fashion that is uniquely your own; an alchemical mix of both worlds that immediately, subconsciously communicates who you are, your professional acumen, and your unique quirks and strengths all at once.

Emphasizing Strengths in Communication and Networking

Of course, we also have to have the “confidence” discussion; especially since we referenced self-confidence in our above list. Confidence in the corporate world often translates to extroverted behavior, a trap for women that usually results in a no-win scenario: failures are attributed to a lack of confidence while expressing yourself fully or in a way that your male colleagues do can result in backlash. As a result, women in professional settings constantly walk a tightrope, having to evaluate moment-by-moment whether they take an introverted or extroverted approach to problem-solving.

Expressing your strengths in this position can be difficult when you’re job hunting unless you know which skills to employ and how to showcase them. Skills like active listening, empathy, and strength under pressure are typically associated with introverts and can be employed to build an authentic, powerful brand that empowers you to succeed. Pairing these skills with typically extroverted behavior like calm assertiveness, connecting with colleagues, and conversational acumen allows you to walk that tightrope like a pro, folding you into the corporate culture while still allowing for self-expression and assertion.

Success in the professional sphere can often seem like a Catch-22 for women; how much of yourself must you give up to climb the corporate ladder? And the honest answer? Not much. While there are still behaviors and cultural codes to adhere to, finding ways to express your unique personality within those constraints empowers you to build a brand that’s all your own, and ascend on your own terms. We hope this guide was helpful, and wish you nothing but the best in pursuing your own success.

By Indiana Lee, BOSS contributor