WEAR PAY GAP NO MORE
Help reduce pay inequality by working on your personal branding, writes Cara Jenkin
WOMEN on average earn 16 per cent less than men, the difference equal to $261.10 a week. The Workplace Gender Equality Agency finds women would have to work from July 1, 2015, to September 8, 2016, to earn the same as men would in just the 12 months of the 2015-16 financial year.
It will mark this Thursday as Equal Pay Day, to highlight that men working full time earned on average $1613.60 a week last year, while women earned on average $1352.50 a week. WGEA director Libby Lyons says the gender pay gap decreased from 17 per cent in 2014-15, however, it was still a substantial difference.
“We need continued work on the part of employers to maintain the momentum to further improve women’s economic security,” she says.
The gap is influenced by factors including pay rates for male and femaledominated occupations, as well as under-representation of women in senior positions and discrimination.
Personal branding and image expert Annie Sophia says one of the quickest and most effective ways women can take charge of their own success is to make a good impression on others through their personal pres- entation. She says in a crowded job market, presentation helps workers to stand out and confidence also goes a long way to achieving success.
“It’s not just about the knowledge that you have, it’s confidence that gets you over the line,” she says.
“I think it’s something that’s paramount to succeeding in business.
“First impressions count and we have seven seconds to make that first impression. Whether you like it or not, you’re judged.”
It is not what women wear, but its influence on how they come across, she says.
Rather than following fashion trends, or trying to be something they are not, Sophia says women need to look at their own personality traits, values, vision and work environment and how they can use it in their personal brand.
“Understanding your personal brand and what you stand for, and how you represent that, brings about trust and certainty and confidence to ask for that pay rise or succeed in your way,” she says.
“Often clients have always wanted to (wear red lipstick, for example) but they have perhaps been lacking a little bit of confidence, not wanting to stand out and wondering what would people say, things like that.
“Give them permission to be able to do it and their confidence soars,” she said.