Hire Places
Good Morning America Workplace Contributor Tory Johnson Takes Women's Careers to the Next Level
By Laura Deck

Department Editor Laura Deck recently caught up with Tory Johnson, President of
Women For Hire, a firm that specializes in career expos and recruitment services. With a non-stop schedule, three books and fast- growing business, she still manages to take it all in stride.

In 1999, working out of her apartment with twin babies, Tory launched the first Women For Hire event in New York. Today, the company produces 22 events a year in 11 markets. They’re a multi-million dollar venture with 1,500 corporate clients ranging from IBM to the FBI, and they connect with 50,000 professional women annually.

What was the defining moment that convinced you to strike out on your own?

After working in corporate positions at ABC News, NBC News and Nickelodeon, I decided to go the opposite route. I accepted a position as the director of marketing for a lifestyle magazine for twenty-somethings owned by Ralph Lauren’s son. It was the perfect introduction to the scrappy world of entrepreneurship.

One day I had a light bulb moment: I was working for the man— or actually for the man’s son — when I dreamed of being the man, or in my case, the woman. I realized I could make my own dreams come true so I quit and started Women For Hire.

What is the most important factor that contributed to the success of your company?

My understanding of sales and media relations has been invaluable in launching and growing Women For Hire. Even though I started this business without a single contact in human resources, my ability to communicate our goals and services effectively to potential clients, prospective career expo attendees, and the media has been the key to attracting more than 1,500 corporate clients and building my expertise in the women’s employment landscape.

What’s the biggest challenge scaling your company?

The biggest challenge has been hiring the right people, which is ironic considering
the business I’m in. As an employer, I must find the perfect mix of hard and soft
skills — the person with the “it” factor — and that’s not as easy as it sounds.

What aspect of your work gives you themost satisfaction?

Nothing beats the satisfaction of knowing that my work has enabled someone to get a job. President Clinton once told me that at the core of our financial freedom and independence in this country is the right to work. Women’s lives are changed
for the better when my company — or my work on Good Morning America— enables them to get hired or promoted.

What prompted you to write your third book Take This Book To Work?

My friend and co-author Robyn Spizman and I recognized that women often don’t
ask for what they want at work because they’re shy, intimidated or lack the knowledge of what to say and when to say it. We developed a user-friendly guide that provides those answers and encourages women to speak up for what they want.

What rules do you follow to stay connected to your family from the road?

My favorite tool is video chats. My kids, Jake and Emma who are nine, just got
a new Apple computer with a built in camera. I have a camera on my laptop too. So when I’m away, we can connect not only by phone and e-mail, but also visually with iChat.

Describe the boundaries you set between work and home.

I recognized that I wasted a lot of precious time feeling guilty that I couldn’t say yes to every volunteer opportunity in the classroom and yes to every work-related possibility. It finally occurred to me that guilt was a wasted emotion and instead I should focus on compromise and trade-offs. If I can’t go on a school field trip, I’ll take my kids to the same place on a weekend and they’ll teach me what they learned. If I’m going to miss a school performance, I try to attend a dress
rehearsal. I make it a point to have dinner, read with my kids and watch great movies and TV shows together every night, totally uninterrupted.

What would your children say you do at work?

My son Jake said, “My mom helps women get jobs and she’s on TV a lot.” And Emma added, “She’s really good at what she does and she loves her work.”

I’m happy Emma said that because I think it’s essential for parents — especially
mothers — to involve their kids in their careers. When kids know mom hates her job, they resent that mom must work. But when kids see mom loving her career, they’re more comfortable with her professional obligations and interests.

For more information about career advancement services for professional women, visit www.womenforhire.com.

Sidebar:
In addition to running Work for Hire, Tory Johnson is also the Workplace Contributor on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” where she offers advice on a range of career topics, including flexibility and advancement. Last year, Glamour magazine dubbed Ms. Johnson the “raise fairy godmother” for her expertise in coaching a panel of women to ask for—and get—salary increases. She’s written three books on career success, including: Take This Book to Work: How to Ask For (and Get) Money,
Fulfillment, and Advancement.

As seen in the
Spring 2007 issue of PBWC Connections

more from this issue download the issue

Tory's
Two Cents

Look for ‘light bulb’
moments.

Find tools to help you ask for what you want.

Compromise and trade-offs can help you juggle career and family.

Nothing beats the satisfaction of helping someone get a job.