The HR and staffing industry has experienced a surge of employer interest in skill-based hiring. According to recent research, the global Recruitment & Staffing market was valued at $505,969.6 million in 2022 and is projected to reach $568,307.1 million by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 1.96 percent. One of the leaders contributing to this growth is Bhuvana Vijayan, the Director of Engineering at Zenjob, a digital staffing platform based in Berlin. In an exclusive interview with Women Entrepreneur magazine, Bhuvana shared insights into her successful career journey and discussed the innovative approach of Zenjob.

What are some important facets of your life and professional journey that you wish to highlight through the article?

Growing up in a small town in northern Odisha, I felt the constant pressure to excel academically and discovered my strengths in sports and math, which taught me valuable life skills such as resilience and adaptability. Moving to Chennai for higher studies allowed me to delve into the world of engineering and the importance of time management. Through my first job, I gained hands-on experience and learned new ways of working that are invaluable throughout my career. Working in Europe taught me the significance of adaptive communication, situational leadership, and work-life balance. As a parent of three children, I have learned the significance of empathy, and it has strengthened my commitment to building a better, more inclusive world. I practice yoga and explore yoga psychology to improve my quality of life.

Take us through the prior industry experience that you bring to the table. How has your prior experience enabled you to become a better technocrat today?

Reflecting on my prior industry experience, I apply valuable knowledge and skills to new roles. With diverse experience in software development, testing and product management I possess expertise in software design patterns, technologies, quality of delivery and translating customer needs into product features. As a result, I understand user-centric design, exercise product development lifecycles and develop robust, scalable and efficient software applications. In leadership roles, I honed my skills to build high-performing teams, set SMART goals and manage cross-organization projects. Drawing on my background, I offer valuable insights into the business and bring clarity to complex projects.

Introduce us to Zenjob. Tell us about the various responsibilities you shoulder as the Director of Engineering for the company.

Zenjob is a German digital staffing platform that leverages AI to provide flexible and qualified staff to companies. We use AI-driven matching algorithms to match students and professionals with jobs that fit their skills and preferences, making the process seamless for employers and employees alike. Our vision is to empower people with control over their working life, making it flexible, transparent, and fair. Presently, we facilitate over 30,000 students and side jobbers to choose how they want to earn money while also serving over 1,800 businesses with ease of use to meet their staffing needs reliably. As Zenjob's Director of Engineering, I drive innovation and continuous improvement in areas such as staffing engine, matching and booking, recommendations, and job feed, manage the engineering teams, and oversee the technical roadmap. For example, my team is enhancing our platform's browsability and filtering capability. As a result, 86 percent of our jobs are booked through the new staffing engine, making the process efficient for users. I collaborate with cross-functional teams to build new features, technologies, and processes that meet users' needs while ensuring data privacy.

“Make learning a continuous process & see failure as a chance to grow”

What are some of the most challenging aspects of being an engineering leader in today’s business climate? What steps do you undertake to overcome the roadblocks?

Engineering leaders face a multitude of challenges, including managing diverse teams, staying current with technology trends and balancing innovation against project delivery and timelines. To successfully tackle these challenges, I prioritize building an inclusive team culture, staying informed through conferences and technical papers, setting clear objectives, and creating a culture of accountability. I encourage risk-taking and exploration of new approaches while ensuring that business commitments are met. To be an effective engineering leader, flexibility and adaptability are essential qualities, along with a steadfast focus on the end goal while aligning teams towards a shared vision.

Tell us about the top three milestones you have achieved throughout your professional journey. Also, what has been your success mantra?

My top three milestones include implementing user-centric features to uplift conversion rates, scaling engineering organizations, and leading cross-functional teams. Achieving these milestones requires a unique blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, collaboration, stakeholder management, and effective communication. By adhering to a set of guiding principles, I foster an environment that promotes the development of innovative ideas and empowers high-performance teams. My success mantra is to strive for a user-centric approach, foster a collaborative team environment, and apply technical expertise and strategic thinking to achieve high impact.

In your opinion what factors can help women create successful and lasting careers in the engineering field?

Creating an inclusive work environment with opportunities for skill-building, flexible work arrangements, and work-life balance are crucial for lasting careers. It helps women in engineering to navigate challenges, stay up-to-date with industry trends, and achieve career success while balancing personal responsibilities.

Any advice for women leaders and entrepreneurs?

Believe in yourself, prioritize your mental health, and surround yourself with supportive people. Make learning a continuous process and see failure as a chance to grow. Remember that taking informed and calculated risks can lead to great rewards.

Bhuvana Vijayan, Director Of Engineering Zenjob

Having held extensive experience in tech and leadership roles, she is an engineering leader and is currently enriching the staffing industry through Zenjob.