Five Minutes With… Jennie Gilbert

Jennie Gilbert is Head of HR at MuchBetter on the Isle of Man. Here, Jennie tells us about her career to date, the challenges she’s faced along the way, and shares some top tips for women working in the corporate world.

Hi Jennie! Tell us about your career history to date...

In 1999 I started as a Fund Administrator and moved around into different roles within the company. I never really found my ‘thing’. I enjoyed people management and helping others develop but I never really focused on developing myself.

I had my children at 25 and 29 so my career was important, but also on a backburner for many years whilst I navigated that. Anyone who has kids knows how hard it is to juggle it all, so I just survived those early years the best I could knowing I wanted more from my career but not knowing what that looked like.

In my late 30’s I started getting restless at work and knew I had to make a change and find ‘my passion’. I had a short time within the IOM Government whilst I figured myself out, then I came across a company called MuchBetter (MB) based on the IOM. They were a small start up and were looking for a HR manager so I applied as I had gained lots of experience in this area in my last role and loved it, and so far I haven’t looked back!

All the experience I have gained in my previous careers throughout my life felt like they were needed at MB. It just fit really well! My CEO has supported my career goals consistently and since joining MB I have achieved my level 3, level 7 CIPD Advanced diploma and a Mediation qualification. I am now on the EXCO at work and work at a strategic HR level.

I feel lucky to say I think I have found my passion and what I was made for.

What does your current role involve?

So many things! My day to day is never the same, some days I am working on people strategies, others I am presenting, recruiting, and some are purely admin work.

Someone once said to me they wanted to get into HR because it was all talking to people, well it’s not! It’s 70% admin! Thankfully I love admin and organising things. 

This role involves a lot of coaching, mediations, discussions, providing advice, and input to certain initiatives. You must be confident in what you are saying and be prepared to offer pragmatic solutions.

My passion is learning about humans behaviour and how we function in the workplace, learning how to adapt your style to many different people is crucial and resilience is a must.

My brain is never off, I am always researching, learning and thinking ahead to what HR initiative is upcoming.

What, if any, challenges have you faced as a woman leader over your career? And how did you tackle them?

It’s not until recently when I look back I can see very clearly where being a woman has created challenges.

After I returned from maternity leave in 2006 I desperately wanted to be a mum and work, so I asked for part time hours. I was told I couldn’t be part time and perform the role I was doing, so I would need to be demoted, I was devastated! We were told women could have it all, but obviously we couldn’t! I continued working full time to keep my career on track. This ultimately triggered a low period for me, as I struggled massively, and I believe put me back years in my career.

Over the years I was unsure of who I was and wondered why I was so sensitive. I saw all these power houses around me and male energies in senior roles (they had so much presence, commanded a room etc). I ultimately thought I will never be one of them, I am too quiet, not strong enough, I am too soft and emotional.

Once I completed the Insights course and learned about my communication style and energy it all made sense, there is nothing weak about me I am just a different energy to others, and different isn’t bad. We need different energies in Senior management otherwise we don’t see different perspectives.

I am learning everyday about how to know myself and be comfortable with who I am.

What advice would you give to other young women just starting out in the corporate world?

• Get a mentor, someone who can support and cheer you on. The only reason I am in the role I am is because I have a fantastic support network.

• Complete an Insights profile – know yourself and how you can influence others.

• Don’t wait for anyone to develop you or put you forward for courses etc, take the initiative. Manifest it for yourself.

• Don’t give in to imposter syndrome, ride it out and learn about how you can manage your anxiety, find what triggers you and face it head on.

• Encourage other women around you, raise each other up, support each other and communicate regularly with them about struggles, successes etc.