As women outnumber male college graduates and enter the workforce, they’re finding new ways to make their mark on the business world. And the rise of technology in both education and business is helping women of all ages discover new inroads into entrepreneurship.

The holidays draw ever nearer, and as the big day approaches, mind racing, you think back to last year and how successful you were with your gift giving.  You’ve got a wonderful, successful woman on your hands, and she deserves the best.  Feverishly, you remember how everything was perfect last year:  how much fun you had decorating the tree together, the lull of soft music playing in the background, the expression of joy and wonderment on her face as she pulled the paper off the last present, opened the box, and her face lit up with joy …

Women are leading men when it comes to enrolling in college. The gender gap in higher education flipped a few years ago. As of 2010, 57% of college students are female, while just 43% are male. This new gender gap should be encouraging, but it still hasn’t changed the pay gap. In a 40-year career, women will earn about $700,000 less than men.

So, what does this mean for women—and men—who will be competing for jobs? How will the gender gap in graduates affect the pay gap? And, what should women do to ensure that they’re paid fairly once they enter the workforce?

Several studies have shown that, for whatever reason, there are not as many women assuming leadership roles in the workforce. There are many possible explanations for this gap between men and women in positions of authority, but nothing is conclusive. What is sure is that women must employ a different strategy than men to get ahead, because for good or ill we are looked upon differently in the workplace. Here are a few tips:

1. Don't be afraid to self-promote.

We all know people that we would describe as natural leaders. These people don’t even have to speak, yet they still command our attention. However, not everyone is fortunate enough to be born a leader and not all of us naturally exude confidence and authority. Is there any hope for us then? Anyone can learn how to command respect and attention if they follow these tips to make new habits.