If you’re a female Soldier you’re used to taking on challenges.
 
You aren't afraid to push yourself mentally or physically and most of all you are a natural born leader. Today, American women drive policy in every branch of the U.S. Government from the Cabinet, to Congress to the Supreme Court. The same can also be said for women in Corporate America. Some of the world's most powerful companies and well-known brands are run by female CEOs.
 
The glass ceiling that used to exist in the U.S. has been shattered thanks to the courage and conviction of women just like you ... women who love to lead.
 
Over the past 40 years I've interviewed thousands of female job candidates looking for upper-level positions at Wall Street firms and Fortune 500 companies. They all share some common characteristics –they’re determined and driven, they’re confident in their abilities and they aren't scared of competition. When it came time for me to decide who would become my successor as CEO of Drum Associates, it took a national tragedy for me to discover the perfect female candidate.
 
After the terror attacks of Sept. 11, Drum Associates — located at 150 Broadway (one block from Ground Zero) — faced an uncertain future.
 
With the jobs of our 32 employees hanging in the balance, I knew that I needed to restructure the way the company did business so that we could be competitive and effective in a dried-up market. When my 24-year-old daughter, Carly, offered to quit her job as an executive at ESPN to help us make the transition, I told her no. I knew that the going might get tough before we turned things around, and I told her so. That wasn't a good enough answer for Carly. She convinced me to give her a shot. She joined Drum in 2002 and within her first year became our No.2 salesperson. Besides sales, Carly was also instrumental in changing the culture of our company. An NCAA Division 1 athlete in college (Tennis), Carly's competitive spirit, communication skills and daily pursuit of excellence rubbed off on the entire Drum Associates staff. Under Carly's guidance, Drum Associates was transformed into a highly motivated team.
 
Carly proved that leading by example can also inspire your co-workers to reach for new heights as well.
 
When I was recognized in 2004 as New York City's Small Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Administration (SBA), I owed a large part of our company's miraculous turnaround to the current Managing Director and future CEO of Drum Associates, Carly Drum.
 
Carly: Thanks, Brian ... that was quite an introduction.
 
Brian:You deserve it ... I know that this month's topic, helping women land top jobs, is a cause that you’re particularly passionate about.
 
Carly: Absolutely. Whether we are talking about women attempting to make the switch from the military to Corporate America, or working mothers who took time off to raise a family, there are some obvious challenges to prepare for and strategies to employ.
 
Brian: Such as?
 
Carly: Women seeking to climb the corporate ladder need to know their strengths, skills and potential. They need to understand the dynamics of the marketplace. They also need to know how to network successfully.
 
Brian: What's the key to successful networking?
 
Carly: Be aggressive and actively involved. Most job opportunities come about from personal referrals. There are a number of terrific networking organizations on the national and local level worth looking into such as Advancing Women ,iVillage.com, Business Women's Network (BWN) , American Business Women's Association (ABWA) ,Business and Professional Women USA, National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) ,Quintessential Careers: Career Resources for Women,Financial Women’s Association, Divas Who Dine: The Social Club for Ladies Who Make things Happen
 
Brian: What are some of the hottest job markets for women these days?
 
Carly: According to a recent study some of the top industries and jobs for women include Health, Customer Service, Education, Law, and Social Services.
 
Brian: Are there any other trends that women in the military should be aware of?
 
Carly: Absolutely! According to a recent survey of female executives, it’s possible to raise a family while at the same time pursuing a career. In a recent article on Inc.com, researchers from the Simmons School of Management in Boston found that an increasing number of mid- and senior-level professional women successfully negotiate flexible work schedules.
 
 According to the study:
• Of more than 400 female workers polled nationwide, more than 90 percent said they have opted for flexible work arrangements at some point in their careers, including telecommuting, flexible hours, or simply limiting tasks that require working evenings or travel, the survey found.
• A full 88 percent said flexible work arrangements allowed them to continue working full-time despite managing complex personal lives.
• About 85 percent of the survey's respondents were responsible for at least half of their household incomes.
• 60 percent of the survey's respondents said they were more loyal to employers offering flexible schedules, telecommutes, and other options.

Also, two 2007 surveys suggest that the following companies are considered the best employers for women. One survey, conducted by Fortune Magazine, based its results on the greatest percentage of women hired.Another survey, conducted by Working Mother magazine, recognized companies offering an attractive work-life balance.
 
Seven areas are measured and scored: workforce profile, compensation, child care, flexibility, time off and leaves, family-friendly programs and company culture.
 
Brian: Are there any books you would recommend?
 
Carly: “Use What You’ve Got & Other Business Lessons I Learned from My Mom,” by Barbara Corcoran with Bruce Littlefield and“Naked in the Boardroom: A CEO Bares Her Secrets So You can Transform Your Career,” by Robin Wolaner.
 
Brian: So, are you ready to take over Drum Associates?
 
Carly: I know I still have a lot to learn from you on how to run a successful business but whenever you're ready to slow down a bit and enjoy some of your other non-business related interests, I know I'll be ready to take on that responsibility.
 
Brian: I'm also confident of that fact.
 
Carly: Thanks, Dad!