TGt Meets...Amanda Reuben, Director of Bijou Recruitment - IWD Special

International Women’s Day 2021 #choosetochallenge

Amanda Reuben, Director of Bijou Recruitment, based in Westbourne. She works as a headhunter/recruiter and helps SME’s and owner-managed businesses source the right staff for their company, not just in terms of skills and experience, but in terms of culture and values too. Read below as we spoke to Amanda to get her thoughts on International Women's Day 2021.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is #choosetochallenge – what would you choose to challenge when it comes to gender equality or inequality this year? This could be in business or life in general.

It’s an age old theme but I’d #choosetochallenge the inequality around pay for men and women.

Thinking of your own experience in the world of business – which inequalities, if any, have you experienced personally or witnessed around gender?

My own experiences date back to working in the city in the late 80’s (feel so old just writing that) when the inappropriate behaviour of male colleagues was off the scale. At least it would be by today’s standards; back then it was ‘just how it was’.

I have also found something of an ‘old boys network’ still exists in some of the networking I’ve done since moving from London.

What do you think all genders offer in particular to the world of business?

I think women and men offer the same when it comes to the world of business but the way in which those skills are offered or demonstrated, is seen as different. I’ve noticed when I interview candidates, women often say they ‘think’ they are good at something whereas men most often miss out the ‘think’.

Can you name up to three people (any gender) in business or in the wider business community that you admire? 

I’ve worked with so many different people throughout my career, men and women, but if I consider them, I wouldn’t say any made a lasting impression on me to the point that I admire them! The people I admire tend to be those that work hard whilst juggling many balls, personal and professional, and yet always remain humble and true to their values.

Do you think women who start their own business experience more challenges than men? 

I think women who start their own business may experience more challenges than men depending on the sector.  In my sector, I don’t feel that being female is a barrier to success but I have found that often women lack self-confidence, especially if they’ve been out of the market or are setting up after being made redundant. Our challenge is one of self-belief perhaps, alongside still juggling on the domestic front in some cases. We often lose our voice.

Now a little bit about being based in Poole and your Covid-19 experience…

Describe Poole in 3 words…

Peaceful, friendly, community-oriented

Where’s your favourite place for an out of office/remote meeting?

I discovered South Deep last year.

What do you most love about working in Poole?

I work from home but when I need to stretch my legs & breathe, I’m so grateful to have the beach, which is just a 10 minute walk from where I live.

How do you think Poole and local businesses will bounce back once lockdown is eased?

I think we will be cautiously optimistic and given the strength of community feeling, we will do everything we can to support each other, and especially those in the retail and hospitality sector that have survived.

How has Covid-19/Lockdown affected your business and what are your plans for the year ahead as we start to move out of lockdown?

Recruitment fell off a cliff at the start of the pandemic, especially locally. I had a few tough months but it did pick up in the latter half of 2020. I took the time to have a break from working, re-do my website and reconsider the future for Bijou. I feel I have a plan which includes diversifying into providing more in-depth support for people looking for work.

Anything else you’d like to say?

It would be interesting to have an International Men’s Day!

Find out more by visiting www.bijourecruitment.com