Zadie sat in our session, preparing to leave her employer.

"My mistake? Not paying attention to interview red flags before, and then not being willing to face them when they appeared later.

If only I'd learnt all this earlier in my career, I would have been so much better off."

I asked what warning signs she wished she'd noticed.

She elaborated: "The interviews were enjoyable, but they kept congratulating themselves for even considering me.

I had the degrees they sought, but I wasn't their 'usual' candidate—my gender, my race, my age, my sector experience.

They said they wanted to move into 'new' areas.

But looking back, they were trying to convince themselves more than assess me."

Recognise this?

She paused. "I sat through six interviews when I'd expected two. They wanted to 'confirm they'd made a good choice.'

It felt like I had to jump through so many more hoops—and it was the same for the rest of my time there."

Email me at suzanne@doylemorris.com for a complimentary chemistry call.

We'll explore your biggest challenge and whether a 12-month coaching partnership makes sense for you.

Most of my clients are employer-funded.

Yes, your company will likely pay for this and I can help you through that goal.

Learn more: www.suzannedoylemorris.com

Dr. Suzanne Doyle-Morris is an ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC) with a PhD from the University of Cambridge focusing on women in Engineering.

For 25 years, she's coached accomplished women in STEM as they advance to senior leadership.

She's the author of three books: "Beyond the Boys' Club: Strategies for Achieving Career Success as a Woman Working in a Male Dominated Field," "The Con Job: Getting Ahead for Competence in a World Obsessed with Confidence," and "Female Breadwinners: How They Make Relationships Work and Why they are Future of the Modern Workforce."

80% of her clients secure promotions or stretch roles within 12 months.

Not because she gives advice, but because she asks the right questions.