International Women’s Day Q&A with Clare Dye
This International Women’s Day we interviewed Clare Dye, Associate Director on her biggest challenges, attracting more females into recruitment and what she is grateful for.
What are you grateful for?
I’m grateful for the many female role-models I’ve met in my role, clients and candidates alike, and also colleagues I’ve worked alongside.
There are too many to mention individually but there have been many fabulous women who’ve built me up, spurred me on, and who I’ve learned so much from. Women who’ve dealt with adversity, challenges, (mental) health issues, disability and who I know I can turn to for advice on, literally, anything.
What have been your biggest challenges in your career to date?
On a personal note, when I became a parent, I genuinely thought I may have to give up my City-based recruitment career; the commute was long and expensive – as were childcare costs, but thankfully the working world has evolved to become more flexible and I’ve been supported by the companies I’ve worked for.
At IPS Group I work four days a week, and thanks to the support of my manager and colleagues, am able to balance doing a role I really enjoy alongside that of being a parent. I’m so grateful that my employer is understanding of what it means to be a working parent, and appreciates that, whether you’re physically in the office, or at home, you can still be working effectively! I feel truly thankful to have struck the perfect balance at work and home.
How is the future looking?
Nearly 40% of the board positions at the UK’s biggest companies are now held by women, a government-backed review has found.
This is such a step forward!
Females are better represented, more visible and empowered. I’m thrilled to see the gender balance is slowly improving and it’s exciting to think my daughter will be entering a working world where equality, diversity and inclusion are all high on the agenda.
How can we attract more females to work in recruitment?
Once perceived as an industry of sales-hungry, male-orientated roles, recruitment now presents a far more balanced and equal proposition. What is it about recruitment that appeals to women? Are they drawn to the personal side of nurturing and helping candidates? Is it the shift away from the “sell sell sell” culture that once dominated recruitment offices around the globe? Whatever the reason, it’s clear that in 2022, women in recruitment are breaking down stereotypes and empowering women to work well, and frequently to excel in industry roles that were previously dominated by men.
