As the competition for recruiting talented tech professionals increases, companies around the world are becoming more intentional about their unique selling propositions to prospective employees. In the past decade or so, we’ve seen a shift: company values and culture are what candidates are looking to align with as they build their careers within the tech space. And as a woman in tech, there are several other important factors to consider.
A company that recognizes and promotes diversity breeds innovation. Sure, you may read this now and think, duh, we all know this. You’re preachin’ to the choir. But the reality is that the tech industry hasn’t always seen the positive correlation between diversity and innovation. Who sparked this idea? Well, you have.
As a job candidate, you inspire positive change by calling out the opportunities that are appealing to you, asking, what can the ideal employer offer you? Over the years, you’ve voiced what’s important for you as a job seeker, and employers have listened. However, there’s still room for growth. What can you do to continue disrupting and changing culture within the tech industry?
Seek companies with equal leadership between men and women.
An easy place to start is WomenHack’s job search platform, which highlights companies that have already been outspoken about their efforts to increase gender equality in the workplace. Aside from this, always do your research on any companies you apply for / interview with. Note that it may require you to read between the lines. Look at the values on their career page, and do a little LinkedIn stalking to see how diverse their management and senior level teams are. While women have historically lower numbers in tech – it will be easy to tell if the company is making genuine s
trides to create difference or if it’s just nice website copy without action.
Be inquisitive and do your research.
Remember – you are interviewing the company too! Do your own research prior to the interview to see how diverse their leadership teams are and if their employee benefits reflect a diverse work culture. During your interview, ask the recruiters or hiring managers how they manage and invest in career progression at their company. What are the processes for it and what makes the company special or unique? How is it different compared to competitors? What is their company’s purpose or mission as an employer? These types of questions are a great way to gauge how the company values their employees and learn how they cultivate a positive environment with equal opportunities for everyone. Find what’s important to you, and create a checklist of the expectations you have for your future employer. Not only will it give you the insights you need to make a decision, it will demonstrate your confidence and dedication to the company culture.
If you want to make changes right where you are, lead your own diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Find like-minded, entrepreneurial people within your company and create opportunities that will highlight the diversity within your company or even recognize the need for more. Whether that’s starting a women’s group, holding quarterly potlucks where teammates can bring food from their country of origin, or partnering with external companies or meetups to hold networking events. This is a great way to ‘be the change you want to see.’ There are times where people don’t recognize the lack of diversity around them, and it’s important to push this issue forward with your hiring managers and talent management team.
Know what’s the right fit for you.
If you’re at a company that doesn’t value your desire to promote diversity, or doesn’t see it as a priority, it might be time to take your talents elsewhere. Utilize resources like WomenHack, reach out to female mentors in the tech world, and follow companies that have already made strides to promote and demonstrate their values.
Bottom line: you should feel proud of the place where you work and that you align with its core values. While it might take you out of your comfort zone to say what you want, keeping diversity efforts top of mind will help you lead a happier career, and one that celebrates you rather than defining you by your gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or whatever it is that makes you uniquely you.
At Glispa, we’re proud to recognize our diversity, but we also know there’s still a long way to go. We are always looking for talented women in tech who challenge the status quo. Check out our open positions, and be sure to follow us on our social channels to find out when we’re hosting an event near you.
In March, Glispa celebrated International Women’s Day across our global offices, and we extended the celebration for Women’s History Month. We spoke with Glispians about the women in their lives who inspire them, what advice they’d give to women in tech, and much more around their perspectives of gender equality in the workplace and what #PressforProgress means to them. Check out some of their responses below and go to our Instagram for more.
Tegan Hull, Associate Account Manager (+ Duba, one of our lovely office pups)
“When talking about being in or getting into tech, we’re often told ‘man it will be so easy for you because you’re a woman.’ Girls who code reported last year that 74% of young women expressed interest in STEM fields, however they earn only 28% of computer science degrees and 25% of positions in those fields, with a quit rate that’s twice as high as their male counterparts.
We have so many young women interested in tech as a career, yet so many are deterred. As far as women have come with having rights, we are still battling community perceptions of our abilities and interests. When being bombarded with microagressions such as the statement above, we aren’t made to feel welcome. Not all women want to fight an uphill battle – and they shouldn’t have to. We don’t get into tech to fill a diversity quota, we are here exploring our passions and making a career out of our interests.
At Glispa I have never not felt welcome, we have so many incredible women holding positions of power. I’m proud to be a woman in tech, and even prouder of the women around me and the company culture that has been built.”
Michael Duning, VP of Strategic Growth
“Progress for me includes equal pay and providing true equal opportunity for leadership and senior positions. Progress also means challenging the norms. Just because a position or a role has traditionally been held by a male doesn’t mean that we cannot explore all potential candidates regardless of gender. Progress can only be achieved by paying attention and listening to my female colleagues. It is easy for me to say what I think will help empower women, but the reality could be something much different. I need to listen and be willing to take action, especially since I know I am in a position that can help drive change.”
Nadia Rassuli, Project Associate
“You don’t need to ask for permission to be equal to your male colleagues. Gender does not determine talent, strengths or qualifications. #PressForProgress with confidence and respect for yourself and others.
My advice for young women is also to support each other. You don’t have to compete against one another to succeed. The truth is you are stronger as a team.”
Jerome Gonzales, Account Manager
“Being a feminist doesn’t mean that you are only for women or against men. Simply put: feminism is about believing in social, political and economic equality regardless of gender.
We should all see everyone beyond the limitations of gender norms. Let’s respect, support and celebrate each other’s differences, choices and abilities—because that’s what makes you uniquely ‘you’.”
Nancy Roberts, GM | North America
“My advice for women: Find your tribe. Surround yourself with like-minded people who will be your soundboard, give you strength, encouragement, celebrate your successes but also listen when you need to vent about your failures, discuss new ideas, help you find the courage to try things outside of your comfort zone, and build your confidence to challenge yourself.
And above everything else, believe in yourself. You are capable, strong, and smart. Reminding yourself of this will help you weather difficulties and achieve your goals.”
Itamar Benedy, CEO
“The tech industry should maximize the opportunities that diversity of thought brings. There is still a significant disparity between employed men and women in tech, and we are all responsible for closing this gap. Diversity is our secret weapon; from gender to age, race and economic, political or social background, we benefit from people’s experiences that provoke us to think and act differently. And I’ll be honest: at Glispa, we do not have enough women in our tech teams, and we are losing from that. We are actively looking to change this, and I encourage senior level people and hiring managers at other companies to do the same. You have to be proactive in building a more heterogeneous team. Seek diversity in talent, invest in the female talent you already have, and lead by example in doing so.”
