"Marriage is not on my mind at this stage in my life," says 22-year-old Tanya Kothari*, an air stewardess with Jet Airways. "I love my job and I'm not going to be relying on my future husband for financial aid even when I am ready to settle down -- 10 years down the line!"
At the early age of 22, when most young girls are barely out of college, Tanya is drawing a salary of between Rs 60,000 and 90,000 each month, depending upon her flight schedule. Young, financially independent and loving a job that allows her to travel the world, she has already embarked upon the journey of a successful career.
Whatever the profession they are planning to make a foray into, most young women today echo similar sentiments. Not content to simply get married and play the role of a homemaker from an early age, they are busy charting out career paths for themselves and looking at a fulfilling future.
So what is it you should keep in mind when you belong to the fairer sex and are just starting out in the corporate world? What does it take to shine in a male-dominated (we're talking numbers, of course, not gender inequality) environment?
Get set for job interviews
"I've always been intimidated at the thought of job interviews," says Anuradha Gupta*, 24 and working as a software developer in Bangalore. "Aside from the usual cold feet, I'm always more comfortable when it's a woman I have to talk to."
Anuradha is not alone. Lots of women are intimidated by the thought of giving an interview in a male-dominated environment.
The key here is to remain focused and keep in mind the following:
~ You are in the presence of professionals who have made it to positions of power by virtue of their capabilities -- it is unlikely that they will give you a hard time in an interview.
~ It is possible to answer questions honestly and appropriately. Leave gender differences at the door and try to relate to them on an employee-to-employer level.
~ You will get the job if you merit it, irrespective of whether you are a man or a woman.
Starting out on a new job
Says 23-year-old Mumbaikar Delnavaz Mistry*, "When I started out on my first job in the accounts department of a multinational, I was always working doubly hard to prove myself as capable as any of my colleagues, mostly guys. I used to keep long hours like them and sometimes even stayed on after my work was done just so my boss would see me at my desk late into the night."
"While I did shine, it came at the cost of my health -- I started falling ill frequently. I was pushing myself too hard, a point I failed to note in my zest to impress," continues Delnavaz. "I was out to prove a point and I don't know why, because when I look back, I remember my boss taking me just as seriously as any of the guys there.
~ Don't assume gender discrimination where there isn't any.
~ Don't get carried away and push yourself to the brink in a bid to stand out -- your work will speak for itself.
~ You can put just as much of an effort as anyone else into a job -- instead of trying to keep up with the Joneses, work on a schedule that suits you and any boss worth his/ her salt is sure to notice your capabilities.
Don't expect special treatment
"There used to be a girl at our office who was always coming up with excuses at work," says 26-year-old Raina Gill*, a Delhiite who works in the content division of an American dot com. "And she expected concessions made on her behalf because she was newly-married! She would come up with the strangest reasons not to get to work -- that her husband's grandmother was alone at home, that her husband was unwell, that her in-laws were holding a pooja -- and all this during her probational stint!"
"While I can sympathise with her situation, given that she was trying to hold down a job and manage a household, you simply can't take leave every other week for such trivial matters -- especially when you're not confirmed and technically shouldn't be taking leave at all! One fine day when she was denied leave, she actually started sulking and back-answered a senior! Our lady boss, who also happens to be married, just lost it and gave her a dressing-down in front of us all," says Raina.
~ Try to make sure your work ethic is up to par no matter what the situation.
~ Remember, while you may have personal issues and are trying to juggle a dozen things at once, so is everyone else. Bosses can be understanding, but don't think you can have your cake and eat it too.
~ Don't wield your gender like a weapon -- once you step into your work environment, everyone stands shoulder to shoulder.
Stand up for yourself
While some women try to get away with bullying their bosses, there are others who are bullied. Jyoti Basu*, a 28-year-old from Pune recalls, "When I was 25, I secured a job with a large corporation in Mumbai. I thoroughly enjoyed my job, but my male colleagues and boss used to tease me whenever I failed to get something done or took leave."
"What started out as a joke turned into merciless ragging," explains Jyoti. It was always, "On, it's past 6 today, Jyoti you better run home!" or "Jyoti, you managed to complete so-and-so assignment on time? The sun probably rose in the West today!"
The end result was that Jyoti started hunting for a new job. When she did manage to secure one, her organisation was very sorry to see her go. "I don't think they even realised why I was leaving. My boss was upset to see me go. How I wish I had at least alerted him as to why I was so unhappy -- at the time I was too young and easily intimidated, so I said nothing. If he knew, I think he would have put a stop to it," says Jyoti.
~ Don't hesitate to speak up about what's bothering you in the workplace. If you're uncomfortable with a situation, don't expect those involved to guess your feelings -- let them know.
~ Running away from your problems doesn't help. Instead, try to actively diffuse stressful circumstances.
~ If you're having trouble from a colleague, try talking to him/ her first. If this doesn't work, you may consider approaching a senior.
So here's to all you young ladies just setting out on a promising new career path -- Happy Women's Day!
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*Names changed to protect privacy.