Does Age Matter at Work Part 2: How younger women can be taken seriously
How can a young woman be seen as professional in the workplace?
Why should you care about age? Studies show that there’s an optimal age perception – around mid 30’s to early 40’s where people are perceived to be old enough to have experience and skills to be a leader and professional, but still young enough to be keeping up with technology and still in the game for promotion. How old is the ‘best’ age to be taken seriously for a promotion.
Why should you care about age? Studies show that there’s an optimal age perception – around mid 30’s to early 40’s where people are perceived to be old enough to have experience and skills to be a leader and professional, but still young enough to be keeping up with technology and still in the game for promotion. How old is the ‘best’ age to be taken seriously for a promotion.
For women, age does matter at the workplace
I graduated University at age 20 and had global responsibility at a Fortune 100 company by the time I was 30, managing a team and a large budget. My perceived age definitely mattered and for many years I had to use tricks to appear older, wiser, more mature, but still authentic. One of the most pivotal experiences I had, early in my career, was when I was taken aside by one of the few senior women in the organization and given advice on how to project more gravitas.
Four ways a young woman can look older at work to get recognised for promotion
1. A younger woman should always look like a professional
Ditch the young girl accessories. Anything bedazzled, pink, fluffy or otherwise ‘cute’ should be left at home. I have a Smythson diary, a Mont Blanc pen, and a Moleskine notebook (orange – because I need some color!) I went to a meeting recently where everyone had flown in that morning and so brought their carryon bags with them. There were 6 men and 2 women – including me. I have a lovely Missoni carryon that is fashionable but appropriate in the row of the all black bags. Then there was the fuchsia carryon with white polka dots and a green bow that the young (early 30s) woman brought. It looked bizarre and sort of like creepy Barbie. Be aware that everything you do, say and carry communicates.
2. Talk like a grown up, not a teen
Cut out the ‘likes’. Notice how often you use ‘like’ in your conversation. It’s a filler word that is very common across a generation and the globe, and it makes you sound like you’re twelve. So be aware, and stop it. Make statements, not questions. If you end your sentences on a question – again, a very female habit – it makes you sound inexperienced, weak, and as if you want validation. Make clear, concise statements to be taken seriously.
3. How to dress professionally without looking old
First, you need to wear grown up clothes. You don’t need to be all suits and look like a mum (or your mum!) But stay away from anything too ‘yin’ – that is anything pastel, with rounded lines, floating fabric or that looks like a school uniform. Stick to clothes with structure, dark/light contrast (think a man’s suit: dark suite against a light shirt with a bold tie equals :I’m serious. Also avoid being too casual, even if you’re in a casual environment. I worked with a television presenter who had a wardrobe of jeans and ‘cute’ tops – and wondered why she wasn’t getting promoted beyond the fluffy entertainment pieces. My response – nobody wants to hear about Syria from a woman wearing a Pink Floyd tshirt… Also – fingertip rule!! If your skirt is shorter than your fingertips when you’re standing up, it’s too short. Even with tights…
4. Don’t mix flirting at work – or beware being cast as the office Lolita
Don’t flirt. You may not even be aware that you are flirting, but don’t. No head tilting, hair twisting, weight shifting on your hip, looking up through your eyelashes. Ever. At all. These are little girl games that we used to get boys to notice us at school and now they have to be gone.
Looking too young can limit your career but you can do something about it. Take a stand and start today!
If you enjoyed this, try reading this blog!
I graduated University at age 20 and had global responsibility at a Fortune 100 company by the time I was 30, managing a team and a large budget. My perceived age definitely mattered and for many years I had to use tricks to appear older, wiser, more mature, but still authentic. One of the most pivotal experiences I had, early in my career, was when I was taken aside by one of the few senior women in the organization and given advice on how to project more gravitas.
Four ways a young woman can look older at work to get recognised for promotion
1. A younger woman should always look like a professional
Ditch the young girl accessories. Anything bedazzled, pink, fluffy or otherwise ‘cute’ should be left at home. I have a Smythson diary, a Mont Blanc pen, and a Moleskine notebook (orange – because I need some color!) I went to a meeting recently where everyone had flown in that morning and so brought their carryon bags with them. There were 6 men and 2 women – including me. I have a lovely Missoni carryon that is fashionable but appropriate in the row of the all black bags. Then there was the fuchsia carryon with white polka dots and a green bow that the young (early 30s) woman brought. It looked bizarre and sort of like creepy Barbie. Be aware that everything you do, say and carry communicates.
2. Talk like a grown up, not a teen
Cut out the ‘likes’. Notice how often you use ‘like’ in your conversation. It’s a filler word that is very common across a generation and the globe, and it makes you sound like you’re twelve. So be aware, and stop it. Make statements, not questions. If you end your sentences on a question – again, a very female habit – it makes you sound inexperienced, weak, and as if you want validation. Make clear, concise statements to be taken seriously.
3. How to dress professionally without looking old
First, you need to wear grown up clothes. You don’t need to be all suits and look like a mum (or your mum!) But stay away from anything too ‘yin’ – that is anything pastel, with rounded lines, floating fabric or that looks like a school uniform. Stick to clothes with structure, dark/light contrast (think a man’s suit: dark suite against a light shirt with a bold tie equals :I’m serious. Also avoid being too casual, even if you’re in a casual environment. I worked with a television presenter who had a wardrobe of jeans and ‘cute’ tops – and wondered why she wasn’t getting promoted beyond the fluffy entertainment pieces. My response – nobody wants to hear about Syria from a woman wearing a Pink Floyd tshirt… Also – fingertip rule!! If your skirt is shorter than your fingertips when you’re standing up, it’s too short. Even with tights…
4. Don’t mix flirting at work – or beware being cast as the office Lolita
Don’t flirt. You may not even be aware that you are flirting, but don’t. No head tilting, hair twisting, weight shifting on your hip, looking up through your eyelashes. Ever. At all. These are little girl games that we used to get boys to notice us at school and now they have to be gone.
Looking too young can limit your career but you can do something about it. Take a stand and start today!
If you enjoyed this, try reading this blog!
