As we continue to celebrate International Women's Day, let's engage in a conversation with another remarkable female Sertizen, because femininity drives and balances progress in the world.
Meet Jig, the Business Development Manager at Sertis, a standout woman in the tech industry. She adeptly serves as the face of the company in client interactions, ensuring that solutions discussed align with both client and business requirements, ultimately securing successful deals.
In this interview, we'll delve into how Jig's unique perspective as a woman enhances her tech career, the challenges she's encountered as a woman in tech, and the guidance she offers to aspiring women entering the industry.
1.Can you describe the unique perspective you bring to your work as a woman in tech, and how it has impacted your career?
“I handle pre-sales, so I'm the one who interacts with clients, and being a woman brings an advantage in this male-dominated tech industry. Joining this industry, I bring skills like problem identification, data analysis, and business understanding. I also have soft skills like understanding client needs and emotional cues. I can sense if they're getting upset or if they're on board with us. Then, we strategize internally to find a solution that meets their needs, which is how I close deals for the business.
Another aspect is team building and management. I bring soft skills like empathy and compassion, allowing me to notice details my male colleagues might overlook, such as sensing my team’s feelings. Building a cohesive team and aligning its direction with our strategy goes beyond just hard objectives. That's how I managed to blend all these essential aspects together.
Putting gender aside, I'm a strategic thinker with a comprehensive viewpoint. Before planning and setting goals, I consider a 360-degree perspective to find the most practical solution that fits both the team's skill set and business objectives. When I'm focused on delivering results, gender becomes irrelevant.”
2.What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced in your career? Have you experienced any barriers related to being a woman in tech? If so, how did you handle them?
“I view Sertis as a genderless organization, embracing gender equality. Sertis members disregard gender and focus only on performance. So, I never face challenges internally.
Working in the tech industry, I encounter a variety of people when meeting clients and suppliers. Some exhibit harsh, masculine characteristics, occasionally communicating in aggressive tones that can be intimidating. My approach to handling these situations is the same as how others would generally respond. I focus on performance and goals, asking them about their objectives, the current situation, and what we can realistically deliver. I provide a polite reality check when needed. My femininity can help soften the interaction, adding an advantage to my role.”
3.What advice can you give to other women who are considering a career in tech?
“Let's approach it this way, using myself as an example. My advice is to set gender aside. Regardless of whether you're a man or a woman, we're all working together toward the same goals. Our focus should be on delivering and contributing equally. We must prioritize performance in the same manner. Therefore, let's concentrate on the goals, strategies, and objectives we need to achieve collectively. Our focus should be on our responsibilities, implementing them effectively, and honing our work qualities and personal skills. It's about leveraging our strengths and addressing our weaknesses. We should harness our strengths to drive our work forward and reach our objectives, without considering gender.
In summary, let’s concentrate on what do we have to deliver and what's important around us.”