USE OF CAREER STRATEGIES BY MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN

Abstract

Examines the use of a variety of career strategies by managerial and professional women. Questionnaire data were collected from 245 female graduates of the business school of a Canadian university. Although the members of the sample did not use career strategies very frequently, those used most involved contacts inside the organization to obtain information, working harder when results would be seen by superiors, and making bosses aware of wanted job assignments. Contacts outside the organization were used relatively less frequently. Managerial women who used more of the career strategies suggested by prior research were in higher level organizational jobs, worked more hours and extra‐hours per week, and received a higher level of supervisor support. Few demographic characteristics were significantly related to career strategy use. Managerial and professional women using more career strategies reported more positive work outcomes such as job and career satisfaction and job involvement.