⚡️Interview with Amanda Whicher from Hays

We are dedicated to creating pathways for diverse talent to thrive, fostering innovation and inclusivity in the tech sector. We believe supporting individuals from all backgrounds is a collective responsibility, essential for a more equitable future. Tech companies have the power to drive positive change, and our goal throughout the month of March is to celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion while recognising the ongoing work ahead. 

This article is part of a series of interviews where techUK members and stakeholders share their experiences, shedding light on the diverse realities of working in the industry. By exposing the good, bad, and ugly aspects, we aim to underscore the significance of cultivating a diverse tech future through their stories.  

Meet Amanda Whicher from Hays .

⚡️How did you get into tech? 

I first set foot in the technology recruitment space around 17 years ago, which was, unsurprisingly, a very different landscape back then. I worked as a tech recruiter for 12 months and initially thought it wasn’t the career path for me, so I decided to down tools and go travel around the world for five months. When I came home, I found my way back into tech recruitment, and this full circle moment confirmed that I was destined to pursue my career journey in the exciting and ever-changing world of tech.

⚡️Can you share your personal experiences navigating the digital career landscape? What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?

Navigating the digital career landscape has been challenging at times, and I’d say being a female in tech recruitment was just as challenging as being a female in tech. I worked incredibly hard in those early days to demonstrate my knowledge and expertise, and to be totally honest, I always felt like I had to try that bit harder than my male colleagues. The difficulty of being taken seriously as a woman in tech was always in the back of my mind, as society was different 15 years ago compared to today, although we still have a long way to go. My experience has fueled my drive to advocate for women in tech and to help shape the technology workforce of tomorrow.

I've been surrounded by strong females throughout my life, including people that I've worked with, and I believe it’s crucial to have a good support network, so you don’t have to face challenges alone. It’s important to have a support system in place throughout your career, not just when you’re first starting out, as challenges can present themselves no matter how far along you are in your journey. Having people to turn to within the industry is key to overcoming obstacles and bouncing back stronger. We can learn so much from other businesswomen, both within tech and across other industries, so I recommend finding role models who inspire and motivate you to achieve your own ambitions.

⚡️How much do you think the industry has changed since you joined?

I’ve witnessed progress to a certain extent across the tech industry since I began my career in terms of female representation and attitudes towards women within the sector. As time goes on, more and more employers acknowledge that women add a huge amount of value to the workplace as they often have a different perspective than their male counterparts, and diversity of thought is crucial for innovation. However, I believe the problem isn’t solved until we no longer have to specifically say ‘women in tech’ when talking about female technology professionals.

Women are still significantly underrepresented in tech today, particularly women from diverse backgrounds, so we need to talk about these inequalities to highlight that they haven’t gone anyway and there is much progress to be made. I am confident that people of today’s generation are more likely to speak out against unjust situations in the workplace than we may have been 10 years ago for instance. There is more of a discussion around the gender pay gap and the gender seniority gap, for example, today compared to when I joined the industry, but we need to translate these conversations into tangible change.

⚡️Have you encountered any unconscious biases or stereotypes in your digital career journey, and how did you address or challenge them?

There are definitely unconscious biases and stereotypes within the tech space and we have work to do to combat this. Looking back to when I began my journey in tech recruitment, I always used to totter round the office wearing high heels, as I’m only five foot two, so I often thought I was being stereotyped and underestimated. I think we’re all at fault of having preconceived ideas of an individual based on factors like what they look like or their gender, so we need to challenge these backwards perceptions in order to drive change.

One of the key lessons I’ve learnt throughout my career is that positive change is an evolution; it’s not about an overnight revolution, but rather ensuring we continue to evolve over time as individuals, organisations and as a society. I’m a full-time working mum with a 5-year-old son who is neurodiverse and, although it’s a real challenge, I have the opportunity to evolve every day. Sometimes we need to step outside of ourselves to view things from a different perspective, to reflect on how we approach different scenarios in the workplace, and I learn a huge amount from my son each day.

⚡️What initiative or programme from your organisation on diversity and inclusion would you like to spotlight?

As the largest specialist recruitment business in the UK, and workforce solutions provider, we pride ourselves on making a positive impact with the wide reach that we have, which includes making Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) a priority both internally within our organisation and externally working with our clients and candidates.

We have a range of different employee networks at Hays, including the Pride network, the Black network and the Parents at Hays network, which are great ways of fostering a sense of community and allyship amongst staff. Through these networks, employees can share and crucially empathise with the challenges different groups of professionals face in order to assess how best to support one another. Having an ear to the ground means we as an organisation can be attuned to how people feel and shape the support around their feedback, to ensure the initiatives we put in place are fit for purpose.

We’re also able to provide our clients with research-backed insights to support their commitment to DE&I; our latest Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Report sheds light on how confident professionals feel engaging in DE&I rooted discussions and being their authentic selves at work, and includes valuable recommendations for employers to create cultures of inclusion and belonging. For example, the research reveals that whilst over two thirds (69%) of professionals feel comfortable raising any concerns they have around DE&I to their managers, only 54% are confident that their concerns will be listened to by their managers and that meaningful action will be taken.

I’d also like to spotlight our Women in Tech Connect Programme, where we hold sessions across the UK for local women working in tech to support each other to thrive. This initiative helps to facilitate our mission to make tech roles more accessible to women and to engage the next generation of female talent.

⚡️What advice would you give to aspiring professionals who are looking to work in the tech sector?

Technology is such a vital part of the way we live our lives today and society as we now know it could not function without technology. That being said, it’s important to remember that although we rely on technology in so many corners of our day-to-day lives, there’s always a crucial human element behind these digital tools and this opens up a wealth of opportunities to get involved in the industry. On top of this, what technology looks like today will be different to what tech is capable of in two or five years’ time for instance and being a part of that innovation and transformation is incredibly exciting.  

My advice for aspiring professionals is to find your voice and to remember that your voice is as valid and valuable as anyone else’s, whether you’re a junior developer or a CIO. I also emphasise the importance of discovering what career path is right for you as an individual, taking into account your passions, interests, skillset and goals, rather than letting anyone else define your journey for you. After all, you know yourself better than anybody and having a strong sense of self-belief, resilience and determination will take you far in the world of tech and beyond.