The Equal Pay Act was passed in 1963 — 45 years ago!  So I’m disappointed, but not surprised that we’re still writing about the fact that women consistently earn less than men — for the same work. 

The Business Journal did some research and reported the results in a recent article Pay gap between men, women varies strikingly by occupation.  Take a look at the article and let me know if it is as frustrating for you as it is for me to read.

According to the research, gaps exist in virtually all occupations but they vary considerably.  The top twenty occupations that have the smallest gaps are listed — I’ll give you the top five:

1. Dining room, cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
2. Food preparation workers
3. Secondary school teachers
4. Cooks
5. Stock clerks and order fillers

Those occupations with the widest gap include jobs such as bus and truck mechanics, diesel-engine specialists, auto mechanics, operating engineers, plumbers and electricians.  Women account for a small percent of the employees in these occupations, but that shouldn’t be an excuse for paying us less.

What do you think?

If you’ve been reading my posts this week, you’ve seen Fortune’s “3 Skills You Can Improve Right Now.”  We covered public speaking and negotiation skills.  The final skill you can improve is (and I quote Fortune)…

Memory Skills:  Never confuse Don with John again

• Introduce yourself first so you can focus on the other person
• Connect the name to your brain.  When you meet a guy named Bill, think of other Bills you know.
• Use the name three times.  Once to confirm you have the name right, then in mid-conversation, and again when you say good-bye.

Good advice — this is a skill that I won’t claim to have mastered.  Even so, I have a few other tips:

• If you’re not sure how to pronounce a name — even though you’ve heard it once — don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.  You don’t want to spend the rest of the conversation messing up a name.
• If you’re in a meeting use business cards to help you keep the names straight.  Arrange them on the table in front of you like the meeting attendees are sitting.  If no cards have been exchanged, draw a table diagram as people are being introduced.
• And finally, if you forget a name, ask for it again.  We’ve all been there many times.  So bite the bullet and tell the person you’ve forgotten.  Then promise never to forget their name again!

Thanks, Fortune.  And I promise to renew my subscription to discover more secrets!

Yesterday I told you about a renewal-notice stuffer I got from Fortune that listed “3 Skills You Can Improve Right Now.”  The first was public speaking — and we already covered that one.  Next on the list (and I quote Fortune) is…

Negotiating Skills:  Using the right phrases matters

• How did you come up with that number?  Opens a window into the other side’s thoughts.
• Let me check with my wife.  Or husband, or boss.  Stops you from saying yes prematurely.
• If things change, give me a call.  Put the burden on them.

I will not describe myself as a negotiation expert — in fact I’d guess I’m a push-over.  But I do know one important piece of advice that Fortune didn’t mention:  Don’t talk too much.  If we’re uncomfortable we tend to babble (I do!) and give up too much information.  Keep your mouth shut and the tables might turn.

Stay tuned for Fortune’s final bit of Skills advice.

I learned a lesson today:  Open all the mail you get because it could be something worth reading — even if you think it’s junk mail.  I wouldn’t necessarily categorize mail from Fortune as junk, but in a subscription renewal notice today I got a small card that lists “3 Skills You Can Improve Right Now.”  Over the next three days, I’ll tell you what those skills are starting with (and I quote) …

Public Speaking:  Conquer fear with a game plan

• Podiums disconnect you from the audience.  Grab the mic and wander the stage.
• Eye contact is your friend.  Looking at people one by one shrinks the room.
• Questions.  If you’re stumped, talk about your team.  “We’re lucky to have an expert on that, I’ll get you in touch with him later.”

Excellent advice from Fortune.  I have a few things to add:

• I agree with the podium advice, but be sure you’ve either memorized your presentation or are comfortable holding your notes since you won’t have anything to set them on.  Of the two, I vote memorize your presentation or be comfortable speaking from your slides without notes.
• Eye contact is very important and you’ll make friends with the audience if you connect with them throughout your presentation.  But my best advice is to plant a few friendly faces in the audience and ask them to smile and nod as you’re speaking.  Even though you know you asked them to do it, it’s amazing how much confidence this will build.
• And finally, questions.  If you’re afraid of getting a question that will stump you or a question that will start a controversial conversation, don’t take questions at all.  That is an option and it’s your choice.  You can always invite the audience to email questions to you following your presentation.

It’s easy for me to tell people not to be nervous on the stage — because I LOVE giving presentations.  I’ve got ’spotlight fever.’  But if you take Fortune’s advice and add mine to the mix, your presentations should be a bit easier to face.

I was waiting to board an airplane last Friday and was horrified by the behavior of my fellow passengers.  First, no one will get to our final destination faster than anyone else.  So, your rude rush to be the first one on the plane won’t really give you any advantage.

My gripe — able bodied people were pushing their way in front of a young couple grappling with twins.  The airlines rightly give people who are traveling with small children a bit of an advantage — they get to board early.  But business travelers were pushing their way in front of this struggling couple.

Be polite.  Be generous.  Be aware of others’ struggles.  And wait your turn!!

I had the distinct pleasure of being interviewed for a podcast by the Cranky Middle Manager, Wayne Turmel.  He asked me some really good questions about the contemporary world of work — and I enjoyed answering them.  I hope those answers make sense to you.

If you have a few minutes, listen.

If you’re considering what career to pursue or if you’re thinking about a career change, I suggest you seriously look into technical, vocational or occupational training.  Many of the jobs that are hard to fill do not require four-year college degrees.  So consider lucrative careers in…

• the trades
• health sciences
• culinary arts
• manufacturing
• technology

Ask your local technical college what they have to offer and link that curricula with the industries in your region.  If you do your homework, you can go far!

It takes more than just the role-specific competencies to succeed on the job.  I’m not saying that having the hard skill isn’t important — you’ve got to have it to even begin to think about qualifying for the job.  But in addition, you need some other very important stuff:

• The softer skills — like communication skills, problem-solving ability, teamwork.
• An acceptable work ethic — dress appropriately, show up on time and show up every day, get along with your co-workers, respect authority.
• Culture fit — the often-subtle corporate culture nuances can make or break you on the job.

So go to school.  Get that skill.  Work on that experience.  But seriously consider the other things that are necessary for long-term success.

You’ve heard me say it before — it may not be fair, but we are judged by what we wear and how we are groomed.  My favorite publication, DiversityInc.com, has hit the proverbial nail on the head with their article What Not to Wear to an Interview.

The ten things not to wear (or take) to an interview are ‘right on.’  Read the list carefully.  If you take your interview seriously, take this list seriously as well.

And I’d argue that what we wear to work could be improved by following this advice.  My particular favorites for the workplace are:

• Short skirts / tight suit
• Evening- or casual- wear
• Fancy nails
• Excessive make-up
• Heavy cologne or perfume

Anything to add?

I’m proud to work for a Fortune 1000 company.  But I’m not proud just because we’re 120 on the list — I’m proud because of what we do:

• We care about people and the role of work in their lives
• We actually put people to work — millions of people
• We give people experience that helps them advance their careers
• We provide training and development opportunities to underserved people who have barriers to employment

I’m lucky that I get to do meaningful work each and every day!  How special is that?