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.

It's a UK company, not international but a London head office with several regional centres in other cities.

Thank you so much for all of the advice!

pantsville That sounds so frustrating! To be honest I don't understand why salaries need to be confidential, more open conversations seem like a way to stop men and women being paid different amounts for the same role.

I'll get the Lean in Audiobook, I haven't had to do interviews for a while anyway so need to spend some time preparing.

I'd ask about what opportunities they have identified for female leadership development or networking as there is a significant gender bias in the industry. Maybe even have some ideas you could suggest and would they be prepared to consider them (mentoring, hosting women in industry events etc)

Don't think I'd mention them specifically in the interview as it sounds like you are putting them down.

I think definitely raise it at the "do you have any questions" stage - it shows strategic thinking and the interest you've shown in the company as a whole.

Something like "I was looking at the makeup of your senior leadership, and noticed that at the moment it is male dominated. I'm interested in your policies on supporting women into leadership as it's something I have aspirations towards" - it raises the issue is a non confrontational way, assumes they are addressing it and shows your potential commitment to the company.

Construction does tend to be a male environment, but I've worked in a major company (roads, buildings etc) which was happy to recruit women (it had a problem recruiting enough skilled staff of any gender). Women tended to be in the less physical roles (drafting, design, management etc). It still had a largely male senior management, this may change as they like to promote from inside, but would take time as senior roles don't come up often, board level hardly. Positive discrimination in favour of women was generally resented and led to women who were promoted being labelled as getting it because of their sex and not because of their ability (often unjustifiably).

Rather than ask them why there aren't so few women in senior roles see if they ask where you see yourself in 10/15 years and tell them you see yourself in a senior role.

As for your course being 50/50, give it a couple of years and see how many pursue a construction career and how many move on to something else.

Bit of a x-post with spinn - agree with their advice too

I just realised something quite funny. I'm in a design based role - my portfolio of university work has a whole section that was quite feminist focused on domesticity and the changing role of women/household objects.

It'd be funny if they brought up the topic!

Thanks for the tips luna andspinn