Janine joined Mintel in 2021 as VP of Engineering. Janine leads a number of software program engineering groups and is the location lead for Mintel’s Belfast workplace.
The Tech at Mintel collection shines a highlight on our world IT division and the way among the {industry}’s finest and brightest construct Mintel’s fashionable, agile, and scalable know-how spine.
Mintel Technology groups have grown considerably over the previous yr, however ladies are nonetheless vastly underrepresented within the tech {industry}. Part of the problem is altering the notion of what our profession in know-how provides and attracting ladies to use for roles.
At the top of 2021, we examined our gender diversity metrics, and the outcomes confirmed that 21% of our Engineering workforce and 27% of our Engineering leaders are ladies, throughout 4 areas (Chicago, London, Shanghai and Belfast). We knew we would have liked to enhance, particularly in our UK areas. During our development growth in Belfast, we had the chance to focus on constructing various groups with a key focus on gender diversity. We used Belfast to show changes to our recruitment processes together with:
- Creating consciousness amongst our hiring managers that we have to have a extra various workforce.
- Signatory of Tech Talent Charter, highlighting our objective of enhancing diversity inside our IT division and supporting industry-wide enchancment.
- Adjusting the wording on our job postings to make sure they had been female-friendly.
- Adding a footer that explicitly highlights our intention to help a various workforce.
- Including a feminine workforce member as a part of the interview panel and brazenly discussing Mintel’s work-life steadiness within the interview.
- Collaborating with exterior feminine tech communities and sponsoring occasions to point out our dedication.
- Using our community on LinkedIn to advertise open roles to assist appeal to feminine expertise.
To date, we’ve efficiently employed and onboarded 29 folks in 14 months in Belfast, and we’re thrilled that 35% of our new tech roles in Belfast have been stuffed by ladies.
Let’s hear from our engineers and leaders in Belfast
Eimear McClafferty, Engineering Manager“I felt energized reading the Mintel job description. The first word that comes to mind when I read it was ‘friendly’. I got a sense that the company valued its people and, straight away, I wanted to be a part of that. This feeling only intensified when I delved more into the ethos of Mintel and how they support their people and continue to have a strong focus on women in tech. From the interview process to the upper levels of management at Mintel, I can see a strong female presence, which is so inspiring. I have to say after nearly a year in Mintel I have not been disappointed. Within this time, several sessions focusing on women in tech have already taken place where Mintel senior leadership have sought out recommendations from myself and my peers. It is refreshing to be part of a company that thoroughly values its people, gives them a voice and places the highest importance on ensuring they feel supported.”
Kirsteen Cannon, Security Engineer II“As a candidate, particularly as one applying for a junior position, I was looking for a company with a good culture that would allow me to expand my skill set. Mintel appealed to me because their job advert highlighted their aim to provide flexible working options and a supportive environment for employees to develop. I liked that they were focused on building a more diverse workforce and specifically mentioned win tech as an area they were looking to grow in the company. Communication was fantastic throughout the recruitment process. HR kept me in the loop at every stage and I felt valued as a candidate. I also appreciated that a female employee was included in the panel for my interview. It was great to get different perspectives from each of the panelists and hear about their experiences with the company. I’m just over six months into my role now and I’m happy to say I’m a part of the Mintel team!”
Sharon O’Sullivan, SDET“I used to be actively in search of a brand new alternative and a former colleague really useful a place at Mintel. They described the Mintel tradition as respectful, versatile and clear however, extra importantly, inclusive with a specific focus on ladies in tech; which was very a lot the kind of organisation I hoped to be part of. This was instantly obvious from my first dealings with the recruitment workforce however particularly throughout my interview, which consisted of a various interview board which included two ladies. I felt energized and excited after my interview and hopeful to be chosen as a candidate. Thankfully, that was the case and I can confirm that my colleagues’ description of the Mintel tradition could be very true. I’ve fixed alternatives to develop my abilities, partake in numerous inner teams supporting diversity and inclusion and characterize Mintel. I’m proud to be a member of the Mintel Team!“
How are we persevering with to enhance gender diversity within the UK?
At the top of final yr, after we mixed our UK areas (London and Belfast), our feminine illustration was solely 14%. We have elevated this to 17% throughout each areas and, we consider the success is from adjusting our recruitment course of and introducing part-time roles within the London workplace, which led to the profitable rent of two females.
Let’s hear from our newly employed engineers in London
Karin Heger, Software Engineer“Looking back at the interview process, I was pleasantly surprised by the diversity of the panel. It included people of different ethnicities, genders, ages, and roles in the company. This certainly made a very good first impression on me, gave room for broader questions to be raised during the meetings and, consequently, made conversations highly interesting and enjoyable. A cutting-edge industry such as IT, should not only allow diversity and progressive thinking but advocate for it as Mintel has done with initiatives such as Women in Tech, the Colours of Change Employee Resource Group, and flexible working policies.”
Akankasha Sapra, Software Engineer“I joined Mintel four months ago after finding the position on LinkedIn. I visited the Mintel website to learn more about the company before applying. I was drawn to the website’s advertisement, which promoted ‘women in tech.’ I felt more confident applying for the position as a result. Considering that I was seeking a part-time position and that there weren’t many part-time positions available, I wasn’t overly optimistic about getting the job. However, the recruiter was supportive and granted me almost a week to finish the take-home assessment while I went on to my first technical interview. Out of the three interviewees, one of them was a woman. That reassured me that Mintel is delivering as per the commitment. Even though Mintel had not previously had a part-time employee in this role before, they gave me the chance to prove myself. Every week, I have been working half-time while assisting with the sprint commitments and advancing my career. Overall, I want to say that onboarding at Mintel has been a fantastic experience for me, and the crew was friendly and the interview process went smoothly.”
Looking Ahead
We’ve made beneficial properties this yr by adjusting our recruitment processes, introducing extra versatile roles and utilizing our networks to advertise tech roles for ladies — however we’re solely getting began. Over the subsequent couple of months, we’re introducing a recruitment technique aimed at enhancing expertise pipelines obtainable throughout every location, which is able to assist improve entry to a various pool of gifted early-career and skilled hires.