Here are just a few career tips and ideas for women from Mrs. Moneypenny, the author and a former maverick at the Financial Times:

1. People's knowledge, education, and training are all evaluated.
2. Networking is used to fill 70-80 percent of job vacancies.
3. One should not be limited by age.
4. Prioritize life and cut out what is less important.
5. Push back against unfair "superwoman" stereotypes.
6. Make sure that your understand money so that you do not waste it. The vast majority of lottery winners are destitute within a few years of receiving their windfalls.

... And this list can go on and on.

Mrs. Moneypenny may have been an accomplished long-time financial columnist, but this mother of three (she calls her children "cost centres") can serve as a life coach as well as a career coach. I love the fact that she states that expectations placed on women, which they are all aware of, are more stringent than the expectations placed on men. It is refreshing to see someone admit that life is harder for women.

She discusses that degree name recognition is important, as is meeting higher-ups who like one's work and can recommend people for better jobs. More on women in the professional world: They are more hesitant to say no to people since they have been raised to please; they are required to prove their worth on the job over and over again (unlike men); they are less likely to be thought of as candidates for promotions; and, people look at them askance if they have the gall to ask for a pay increase.

The bottom line from Sharpen Your Heels, which many women can attest to: It is more challenging to be female than male in today's working world.

The good news: Girls can also kick butt at the office.

Sharpen Your Heels by Mrs. Moneypenny, 2012
 

I love this author's style—she makes me feel as though I am conversing with a friend. I found this book to be very helpful in both my career and my personal life.
 

• Books about women and careers
   
• Financial Times 
   
• Mrs. Moneypenny's website