Women in Finance

When Adversity happens (RTO mandate, retiree’s position gets absorbed so now you have 2 full time work loads, etc.) how do you bounce back and find Meaning and Fulfillment and Purpose again?

How do you all handle the pressure to look “put together” at work? I love fashion and showing up confidently, but sometimes it feels like there’s a silent dress code—polished, but not too stylish, pro… more

Do you ever feel less valued than your male colleagues? Sometimes it’s specific, like being talked over in meetings or seeing a male peer get credit for an idea I introduced. Other times, it’s just a vibe, like… more

If you were to be fired or laid off today, how do you think you’d feel at first? Would it be fear about finances, anger, or maybe just sadness? Personally, I think my initial reaction would be a mix o… more

Do you ever feel like women in finance are expected to do it all? Mentor junior staff, lead the women’s ERG, plan the holiday party—and still hit the same revenue targets as everyone else. I’ve been t… more

How do you find the right balance? I’m struggling to find that sweet spot where I feel like I’m achieving enough at work but also not burning out. Any ideas would be very welcome, thanks

With more and more of us back in the office at least a few days a week, I’m curious what’s your lunch setup like? My company has a cafeteria with discounted meals, but the taste definitely leaves some… more

Have you ever felt punished for using your benefits? A colleague took full parental leave and was passed over for promotion six months later. The feedback? “You weren’t as visible this year.” Are bene… more

For the married folks—how do you manage household expenses? Did you open a joint account, split up bills, or contribute based on income? I’m getting married later this year, and while we’ve started ta… more

Would you consider the chance to work abroad for a period of time a valuable perk? My company offers rotation opportunities in Europe for 6 months to a year, and a few of my coworkers who’ve taken it … more

How are you all feeling about your 401(k)s lately? I checked mine this week and nearly choked—down several thousand dollars in just a few days. I know the rule is to stay calm, don’t touch it, and rid… more

Should performance reviews include upward feedback? I’ve always felt that management should be held accountable too, but in most places I’ve worked, feedback only flows one way—top-down. While we often shar… more

Does anyone here get unlimited PTO? I’m interviewing at a company that offers it but unsure how it would actually work in practice

Do you think a global recession is looming this year? With the new tariffs and rising costs, it’s hard to see how they’re benefiting any economy. Everything seems to be getting more expensive, and the… more

What’s your relationship with ambition these days? I used to chase every promotion, dream about the big title, the corner office, the whole ladder-climbing fantasy. But lately—maybe it’s burnout, mayb… more

How have the new tariffs impacted you/your work so far? I’m unsure if there’s direct impact for us just yet but I’m sure the resulting inflation will affect us all!

Underwriter for 35 years and laid off in 2022. Lots of mixed feelings-not like it was my first layoff, after all it’s a norm for our industry. I was hurt more than anything as my boss knew I was jus… more

With so many companies now implementing RTO or hybrid work schedules, I'm curious how far do you currently commute to work? And what's the maximum commute you'd be willing to tolerate? For… more

Do you think mentorship works better when it’s formal or organic? My company just rolled out a “women in leadership” mentorship program, and while the intention is great, it honestly feels like they’r… more

I’m terrible at remembering names when I meet new people. Curious if anyone else the same? If not, what are your best tips? Also, if you forget someone’s name right after an introduction, do you use a… more

Let’s talk about financial privilege in this industry. I know people who landed internships at top firms because their parents could afford to cover three months of unpaid work and a $2,500/month Manh… more

How do you think the upcoming tariffs will impact the economy and job market? In finance industry, we’re always watching for ripple effects, and I can’t help but wonder if these tariffs stay in place … more

I’ve noticed that whenever a woman is direct in a meeting, she’s labeled “abrasive,” but when a man does the same, he’s praised for being confident and assertive. I even had a manager suggest I “softe… more

How do you deal with colleagues who seem to only want to make your life harder? I find it so frustrating!!!

What are your thoughts on April Fools’ Day pranks at work? I’m all for some lighthearted fun, but I’ve seen a few pranks go wrong—causing confusion, hurt feelings, or just an awkward situation. One ye… more

Fraud Alert: I applied for a job for a Customer Service Representative through Glassdoor. The company looked legit. I received an email about the job with the duties expected but the job had changed f… more

Is there a way to understand what your key strengths are in a role? Any good career or personality tests that people have felt really helped to understand this? I’m looking to change careers and thoug… more

People often think finance is all numbers, but strong communication is just as crucial if not more. This is especially true when explaining complex concepts to colleagues without a finance background.… more

If you left your previous job on bad terms, would you address it during your next interview or wait to see if it comes up? I’ve been thinking about whether being upfront and honest is the best approac… more

What time do you usually sign off during the workweek? I’ve always felt that if your work is done, there’s no reason to just sit by your computer until 6 PM for appearances. Some days I’m deep in spreadsheets t… more

Do you typically take interviews even if you're happy with your current role and firm, or do you prefer to be more selective about the companies you interview with? Personally, I’d only consider i… more

Would you take a job that paid $25K more but had no women in leadership? I was recently approached by a firm offering a significant raise, and on paper, it looked amazing. But when I checked LinkedIn,… more

Anyone else feel weird about being praised for “grace under pressure”? My old boss used to say it every time I pulled off a miracle during a 70-hour week or cleaned up a last-minute fire drill. At fir… more

Would you rather be part of a team of rockstars or one made up of reliable, steady performers? I’ve been part of both, and there are definitely trade-offs. Rockstars can deliver impressive results, bu… more

Have you ever felt like the only way to get ahead in finance is to mimic the men around you? I’ve been told to “speak up more,” “be less emotional,” and “focus on results, not relationships”—all code … more

Do you think loyalty is still valued in the corporate world? Early in my career, I was advised to stay loyal and avoid switching jobs too often, as it could signal a lack of commitment to future emplo… more

Be honest—do you trust your company’s maternity leave policy? A close friend of mine took 12 weeks of leave, came back ready to dive in, and found that half her client portfolio had been reassigned. H… more