In this instalment of Shortlister Spotlights (a Q&A series to get to know some of our team members) meet Aratrika Dev, Manager- Human Resources from Mumbai office!
At Shortlist, we love building our team almost as much as we love building yours!
We have some pretty amazing people across our three offices who have a real passion for what they do and for the Shortlist mission.
Read to know more about Aratrika’s Shortlist journey.
Tell us about your life at Shortlist.
Life at Shortlist is super fun and exciting. As a Manager, Human Resources, I take care of all the amazing people working at Shortlist.
I make sure they have all the resources they need to be productive, celebrate their talent and achievements, add new experiences to their daily work life through team events, and facilitate high performance through a happy work environment!
I’m the first HR personnel to be recruited at Shortlist. So I take my job and responsibilities extra seriously to make sure I’m setting the right example and trend for the Human Resources team as it grows slowly.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
The first memory I have of wanting to become something was when I was about three years old. Sushmita Sen was crowned Miss Universe, and that is exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up 😀 Later, I moved on to having a rock band and becoming a rockstar!
But I always had a keen sense of business – I would travel with my parents every winter vacation, buy clothes, artifacts and sell them back in my hometown. I made cards, wrote poems, and baked cakes for a small price, combo discount if you wanted all three! So finally, I decided I’m an entrepreneur and will run my own business one day 🙂
What is your professional background, and what were you looking for in your next career step when you found Shortlist?
I have worked at other startups before. Shortlist is the third startup I am working at. I like the thrill of creating processes, structures, policies – bringing order from chaos. But I also need my creative space. To be able to discuss ideas, research best practices, and customize it to our setting, implement new thoughts and perspectives.
This is very difficult to do because, as a Human Resources Manager in a startup, you are closely working with the founder’s office and, more often than not, end up becoming a mouthpiece of the founder’s unchallenged ideas and perspectives. So I was looking and praying to come across an organization that has a culture of welcoming new ideas, experiments, thoughts and that wants to build a healthy workplace where its employees look forward to going to every morning!
How has your current role impacted you?
I have learned a lot in my current role. I can safely say that my interior designing and event management skills got a real boost through my office remodeling and staff retreat planning projects last year! Jokes apart, I have gained so much exposure to diverse teams, people, demography, ideas, and projects. I set up the performance management framework here, which I have always been interested in. I have learned so much from my manager on handling people, balancing between empathy and being just, breaking big projects down into actionable steps, and so much more.
This role has pushed me to be more creative and adaptive!
What’s your professional superpower?
Getting along with people from diverse backgrounds!
Enjoying an outing with the team
What’s your favourite Shortlist memory?
When I was “Honey” Roasted at the India Staff Retreat, 2019 – that was a good day 🙂
What are three words or phrases you would use to describe Team Shortlist?
Innovative, Encouraging, and full of Swag!😎
Innovative Shortlist team full of swag
What’s your favourite Shortlist value and why? (Learn more about our values here!)
“Own It” – if each one of us does what we are supposed to with the aim of the best results, the world will become hassle-free!
Why is the Shortlist mission important to you?
Companies invest in people – as people make and execute winning strategies for the company. It would be a disaster if they were to invest in the wrong people.
People spend 70% of their time at work. Imagine the plight if they were working in a role that did not use their potential nor gave them the platform for development.
Shortlist is trying to enhance the recruitment landscape through technology and new concepts like the Marketplace+Shortlist Connect, which creates a bridge, filling the current gaps and creating a new way – that’s a hell of a mission!
So Aratrika, what do you like to do outside of work?
I like to paint, cook once in a while, travel often, explore new & old food joints and make playlists!
Having fun paragliding on vacation
What are you currently reading, watching, or listening to?
Watching – Restaurants on the Edge, The English Game
Reading – The Woman in the Window, The Egyptian spy who saved Israel
Listening – Serhat Durmus, FKJ, Isaac Chambers & Dub Princess
We like to give (virtual) high fives to recognize our team members when they do something awesome. Now is your chance to make a public high five to a fellow Shortlister:
Hi5 to my manager, Mridvika, for leading by example!
Any final words?
“To win the marketplace, you must first win the workplace!” – Douglas Conant
Thank you, Aratrika! We’re so glad to hear your experiences on Team Shortlist.
Did reading about Aratrika’s experiences make you want to join our squad? Check out the rest of our crew here.
We’re hiring…Follow this link and stay up to date on job openings! We have more openings at Shortlist.
Apply today – we’re excited to hear from you.
If you would like help building your team, let us help you. Shortlist offers a wide range of recruitment solutions that help companies build great teams.
