To mention the lack of women in senior roles at a job interview?

[Newnyham]

I've got an interview at a big construction consultancy firm. I'm chuffed to have been asked so stepped up my research into the company.

They have zero women on their board and no female equity partners. Out of the 50+ senior staff listed on their website there are only 2 women. I know that construction is very much a male-dominated industry but the company has many different kinds of consultants and I just find this lack of women anywhere need the top quite shocking.

Should I mention this at the interview? Obviously I want the job and don't want to come across as an arse but I would like to know if they've even identified this as a problem and what they plan to do about it.

I'm starting at post-graduate level, with a view to progress. So not management, but not the very bottom either.

Maybe if they ask a question about why you want the job, or to work for them you could put a positive twist on it, seeing it as an opportunity to create a more equal board in the future, encourage more women into the company? Or if they ask where you see yourself in the future. I think if you raise it as an issue (which it is) you may find you become un preceedable

Perhaps women dont want these jobs? just a thought.

I think it depends how you phrase it, for example saying you're really keen to broaden representation and in the course of your career aspire to the board as a woman in construction, as there as so few cough/raise eyebrows as opposed to accusing them of being rubbish!

I'd probably not raise it at interview if they don't...but if they offer you the job and you have serious concerns in that area, then I'd ask them to explain their policies before signing a contract with them.

Yes plainspeaking of all the women working there or applying there, none of them have an interest in being on the board

Plainspeaking My university course for this role has a 50/50 gender split, so the women have to go somewhere!

It's such a fine line! At least I don't want to basically say hire me because I'm a woman. Connieston Mentioning my aspirations with a hint of feminism sounds like a fairly safe option!

I had always thought that larger companies would have more protections and better policies in place for women. Maybe not!

Yes, women naturally prefer being lower-paid and less influential dontchaknow...

Agree that if you’re going to raise it at interview then putting a positive spin on it re your own aspirations is the best take. If they are committed to increasing the number of women at senior levels, they can pick up on that then. But also if I were you I’d think very carefully about what kind of chance you’ll have to advance in a place like this given their current lack of anybody female in senior roles.

I'd have though it would depend how much you want the job. Not sure 'critical of the company' and 'bolshy' would be two assets people are looking for at interview, and I'd have thought (though I hold my hands up to not knowing a lot about the specific industry) that it would be easier to change the culture once in a senior role within the firm, than from criticising the people you are aiming to impress?

I had always thought that larger companies would have more protections and better policies in place for women.

In my experience they often give lip service to it. Whether they’re prepared to put their money where their mouths are is best demonstrated by what they’re actually doing in practice, which in this company’s case seems like not loads.

53rdWay

But also if I were you I’d think very carefully about what kind of chance you’ll have to advance in a place like this given their current lack of anybody female in senior roles.

This has crossed my mind. I've applied to a number of other jobs, one at a firm I'd much rather be a part of so we'll see. I don't think I'd say no to a job offer (if they want me) if I didn't have another one in the wings.

Of course you don't mention it!

You don't criticise the company you want to work for when they're interviewing you for a job, you will just come across as difficult.

You might have an opportunity to make your point if they ask you about your plans for the future or things you'd like to achieve, then you can say what you personally would do to get more women into construction or what you as a women bring to the role, but if you come across as a stronger extreme feminist than a team player, then you're unlikely to do yourself any favours.

If you don't want the job or don't care either way, definitely mention it.

I would bring it up - it might naturally anyway in the convo. In fact it would be one of the things I might question them on when they do the - anything you want to ask?
I would imagine they'd be looking to change the male dominated culture and drag their company into the 21st century anyway. I don't think they'd be surprised... it doesn't have to be a criticism.

Accusing someone of sexism is always going to be a criticism (whether the accusation has grounds or not).

I've got a week to think of how to phrase it, if I do bring it up. I had thought that the 'do you have any questions' section would be a good place.

From what I can work out the guy interviewing me is about 30. So hopefully somewhat receptive to the problem.

It’s not a good question, well it is, a very good one, but definitely not in an interview situation.

I thought all companies of a certain size now have to publish a Gender PAY gap report? If they have done one you can look in there as to what they are doing about it, if anything, and bring it up. Perhaps read 'Lean In' by Cheryl Sandberg (?) To give you some insight and tips on how to play the interview.

Id agree with everyone about and add ths t it might seem a kind of blackmaily thing to say too. Why on earth would you even consider criticising a workplace you're interviewing for?

the guy interviewing me

Read the second word. He'll probably not give a shit about the lack of women at senior level because it doesn't affect him and will be telling his mates down the pub about this bloody feminist he interviewed that day.

DO. NOT. MENTION. IT.

I think you're right to be wary - your point is of course entirely relevant but may be seen as a criticism. I would use the questions part of the interview to ask about advancement and the structures in place for that. Are there any bodies (like a women in construction group???) in your industry, or do any competitors do this particularly well? You could say something like 'during my studies/research I've been impressed with the programme runs to encourage women in this industry to reach the highest levels, is there something similar here?'

Their response to that could be extremely illuminating!

Perhaps, but you don't know that. You say you don't want them to hire you because you're a woman, but essentially you want to say "hire me because I'm a woman and you don't have enough women in this type of role". There's not a way of phrasing it that is going to both a) get across what you want to say and b) not appear like you think you deserve to be hired for being a woman.

I work for a huge organisation and recently tried to complain/question that a male colleague, junior to me, less skilled than me, was being paid slightly more (I found out accidentally at the printer). I was laughed at and told that people's pay is confidential and because I'd never get proof of this guys pay I had no grounds to say I was being paid less as a woman. It's slightly more complex than that really but I didn't want to drone on, and the situation is obviously different. However I think sometimes when an injustice is so clear in your own head the reality of other people's attitudes can come as a massive shock, so do be prepared.

Yes it's completely shit and unfair but pointing out injustices you face just seems to alienate people. I would shift your focus from this particular point and concentrate on how to excel in the rest of the interview to be honest.

Why on earth would you even consider criticising a workplace you're interviewing for?

It doesn’t have to necessarily be criticising - if she pitches it right (ie making it about her own aspirations) it’s a good way to find out if the company are the kind of place she wants to work for.

If they want to have more women in senior positions in the future, great, good opportunities there if you want them. If they don’t and they think having an all-male board is fine and dandy because women just aren’t cut out for senior roles, better to know now than later.

Is this a global company? Or a local one? In my experience of construction and engineering the talented males (and females) that get promoted to board level tend to do so in Asia, where the growth is. The UK tends to promote based on experience and not necessarily on merit; but nobody tends to care as it’s a local role and promotion opportunities are elsewhere.

I wouldn't personally. I agree that it comes across as critical of the firm and as if you will "play the gender card" if you don't get the role.

If they are aware of their diversity problem then they don't need you to point that hiring a women will be a benefit; if they're not aware of it they're probably not a great firm to work for.

An interview is a two way thing. You are scoping them out as suitable potential employers as much as they are looking at your suitability as an employee.

Ask them about it, but put a positive slant on it as PP have suggested. Do you want to work for a company that shuts down any suggestion that they're not promoting equality? If they get snitty I'd give them a swerve.