The rise in the numbers of women in the field of religion does not mean that it is always easy for women starting out nor that women no longer face isolation. This manual offers practical help in negotiating the mine-field of an academic career. The authors want to enable women to be pro-active, to have the knowledge that will help them avoid common pitfalls, and to meet other adversities without the feelings of personal failure or self-blame that so often stem from isolation. While written explicitly for women, the manual should also be helpful to men starting out their careers and to departments hiring women.