Frequently Asked Questions and Advice for Women in Tech

Frequently Asked Questions and Advice for Women in Tech: How to Establish Yourself in a New Role (and Be Remembered for All the Right Reasons) By Mary Killelea

The more I talk with women in tech, whether they’re leading global marketing campaigns, building AI-powered startups, or managing cloud operations, one question always comes up:

"How do I establish myself in a new role, especially when I’m the only woman in the room or the newest person on the team?"

It’s a question worth asking. Because the way you show up during your first 90 days can set the tone for how others perceive you, advocate for you, and support your long-term career.

Here’s a deep dive into how to do just that, drawing on lessons from over 135 interviews with women on the 2B Bolder Podcast, plus insights from my own experience navigating corporate life at Intel and running my strategic marketing agency.

1. Start by Listening More Than You Speak

Many high-achieving women feel pressure to immediately “prove” themselves. But here’s the truth: You don’t earn influence by dominating the room. You earn it by reading the room.

When I was interviewing Stephanie Wettstein, Director of Internal and Executive Communications, she shared something that stuck with me:

“The more that you can try and get outside of the four walls that you work in... it just helps you see things from a broader perspective.”

Your first goal in a new role isn’t to show how smart you are, it’s to understand:

• Who has decision-making power?

• What are the unspoken norms?

• Where does the team struggle the most?

  
  

By asking thoughtful questions, taking detailed notes, and actively listening in meetings, you quickly build a reputation as someone who is engaged, humble, and strategic.

Try this: Schedule at least 5 get-to-know-you 1:1s in your first two weeks. Ask, “What’s something you wish you knew when you first started here?” It builds connection and gives you insider context fast.

2. Align Your Efforts with What the Business Cares About

To be seen as indispensable, tie your work to what drives growth, enhances customer value, or sparks innovation.

“Even when you’re new, you can still be intentional. Ask where you can make the biggest impact, and then show them you can do it.”— Rachael Frick, Partner Marketing Leader at AWS

The mistake many people make? Getting lost in task work. Don’t just ask what needs to be done, ask why it matters and how success is measured. Many women fall prey to the notion that they are valued by being busy. Busy work is a waste of time if you can not articulate its value to he company's goals.

Tips for alignment:

• Read the latest quarterly report or all-hands deck.

• Ask your manager: “What are your top three priorities right now?” If they can not articulate this, that is a red flag!

• Volunteer for a project that has visibility with leadership or cross-functional teams. When it comes time to present your project results, be prepared and have the data tell a meaningful story.

  
  

Companies don’t promote doers. They promote drivers, people who move the needle.

3. Build Your Visibility Circle (Strategically)

Let’s talk about one of the most powerful career accelerators: relationships.

It’s not about “networking” in the traditional sense. It’s about building trusted connections that can amplify your voice, open doors, and offer perspective.

“I’m an introvert in a field dominated by extroverts... but I had to force myself to get out there. Being on nonprofit boards helped me meet people in ways that felt more meaningful.”— Stephanie Wettstein

Your visibility circle should include:

• A peer you can brainstorm with

• A cross-functional partner who can expand your reach

• A senior ally who can champion your work

• A “truth-teller” who’ll give you honest feedback

  
  

Practical move: Create a spreadsheet to track key people you meet. Note where you met, what they care about, and how you can add value.

Proximity to power matters. But you don’t need to wait for luck; you can build proximity through consistency and curiosity. Raising your hand for high-visibility roles or projects.

4. Speak Up Before You Feel Ready

“When I was asked to lead Friends of the Children, I almost said no. I didn’t think I had the experience. But a mentor told me, ‘Terri, a man would never say that.’ That advice changed everything.”— Terri Sorensen, CEO of Friends of the Children

You don’t need to be an expert to speak up. You just need to bring value to the conversation.

Try these sentence starters to make bold contributions:

• “Here’s a perspective I can offer from my last project…”

• “What if we approached it this way to solve the bottleneck?”

• “I noticed this pattern… has anyone explored that?”

  
  

The sooner you use your voice, the sooner others recognize your leadership potential.

5. Clarify What You Want to Be Known For

In tech, your personal brand is often built before your work even ships.

“There’s so much value now in being genuine. Just showing people who you are, that’s what builds trust.”— Stephanie Wettstein

Ask yourself:

• What 3 words do I want my name associated with in this company?

• What types of projects do I want people to bring me in on?

• How can I consistently show up in meetings, Slack, or project reviews to reinforce my personal brand?

  
  

Pro tip: Update your internal bio or Slack status with something memorable. (Example: “Marketer with a soft spot for CX + AI-powered insights.”) This subtle positioning helps people see you through your intended lens.

6. Document Your Impact from Day One

Even if you’re only two weeks into the job, start tracking your wins.

“When I started documenting my wins, I realized how much I was contributing, and how much I was underselling myself.”— Anneka Gupta, Chief Product Officer at Rubrik

Keep a “brag file” with:

• Screenshots of positive feedback

• Metrics from campaigns or initiatives

• Notes on what you learned and contributed
  

When review time comes around, or you’re asked to present your work, you won’t scramble. You’ll own your narrative with confidence.

7. Find Mentors—But Don’t Force It

One of the biggest myths about mentorship is that it needs to be formal. In reality, the best mentorships are organic.

“You can't really force a good mentor. If you already have a relationship, or it just feels natural, that’s when it works.”— Stephanie Wettstein

You can be mentored in many forms:

• A podcast episode that gives you clarity (😉 like 2B Bolder)

• A senior colleague who gives you honest feedback after a meeting

• A peer who shares tools or frameworks that help you work smarter

  
  

Your turn: Instead of asking someone to “be your mentor,” try: “I’d love to learn how you approach stakeholder communication. Could we grab 20 minutes next week to chat?”

Mentorship is about proximity to perspective. Create those moments.

8. Overcommunicate With Confidence

New roles often lead to communication gaps that can cause confusion, or worse, misalignment.

Establish yourself as someone who communicates proactively:

• Send clear recaps after meetings

• Ask for confirmation on priorities

• Give progress updates before they’re asked for

  
  

Being a strong communicator builds trust, reduces friction, and shows leadership, even before you have the title. Believe me, if you are a good, proactive communicator, it will help you get noticed!

9. Make Yourself Easy to Support

Here’s a lesser-known truth: People want to help you. They just need you to make it easy.

When someone asks how they can help:

• Be specific: “Could you review my proposal before Friday?”

• Show appreciation: “Your insights really helped me move forward.”

• Offer value back: “Let me know if I can return the favor or support you, too.”

  
  

People remember how you made them feel. When you show gratitude, you build allies who become long-term champions.

Establishing yourself in a new role isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being intentional. It’s the small, bold actions that compound over time.

Remember, every guest on the 2B Bolder Podcast started somewhere. They didn’t wait for permission. They showed up, asked questions, and trusted that their voice mattered.

And so should you.

📥 Want help positioning yourself in your next role or leveling up your LinkedIn presence? Download my free guide

📞 Or book a 20-minute discovery call: Let’s talk about your goals and challenges and create a strategy to tackle them.

I’m Mary Killelea, and I help professional women show up, speak up, and stand out, especially in the moments that matter most.