Conservative MP Theresa May has become the UK's most senior female politician after being appointed home secretary in the new coalition cabinet. She is the second woman to take the position, after Jacqui Smith's time in the role from 2008-09.
In the general election held on 6th May, Theresa was re-appointed as a Member of Parliament representing Maidenhead after increasing her majority to 16,769, winning nearly 60% of the vote. She has also been appointed as minister for women and equality. This is great news for women, and campaigners are hoping that this will ensure that issues affecting women are higher up on the cabinet's agenda. Ms May has always supported the drive to recruit more women into politics and non-traditional job sectors.
In a recent interview with Radio 4 which was reported by the Independent, she said: "David Cameron has made it clear that his aspiration by the end of the parliament would be that a third of ministerial appointments would be women."
Having worked in the City before becoming an MP, Theresa has experience of life outside Westminster. She started her career at the Bank of England and went on to hold posts at the Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS) as Head of the European Affairs Unit from 1989-1996, and Senior Adviser on International Affairs between 1996-97.Theresa has been involved in politics at all levels for many years, starting out stuffing envelopes at her local Conservative Association before going on to be a councillor in the London Borough of Merton from 1986 to 1994.
Since being elected as Member of Parliament in 1997, she has held several positions. She was a member of the Shadow Cabinet from 1999 to 2010, including as Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Employment, Shadow Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, and Shadow Leader of the House of Commons. From 2002 to 2003 she was the first female Chairman of the Conservative Party.
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Combining what you know with who you know may be exactly what you need to land your next job. A general consensus about networking is that it creates a pool of contacts from which you can draw leads, ideas, referrals and information for your job search.
