Position: CTO Yapril AS
Education: Bachelor in Export Marketing, Master in International Business and Marketing Ålesund University Collegge/NTNU Ålesund

Likes to be progressive

Kristine Mjelde Solevåg’s ambition is that the recruitment agency Yapril AS will be a role model in the use of new technology. – I‘ think my contribution to value creation is to challenge the establishment and ask questions, says Solevåg.

- We try to be progressive, accurate and correct use of technology is one of the things that can make us competitive, says Kristine Mjelde Solevåg, Chief technical officer (CTO) at Yapril AS.

Yapril AS is an eight-year-old company that engages in recruitment, primarily to management positions and specialists in various disciplines that can be difficult to obtain for companies. They have expanded a lot since they started, and have offices both in Ålesund, where Solevåg is located, as well as Molde and Tromsø.

Networking remains important

- In the past, recruitment agencies were primarily network-based, it has been usual for our industry to depend on an extensive network in order to succeed. Technology allows us to professionalise and improve the recruitment process and making it less dependent on networks, says Solevåg.
At the same time, their most important competitor is indeed technology. New technology is constantly emerging and makes it easier for the customer to do the recruitment themselves.
- We believe that in-depth knowledge of the market, the customer, and its culture, combined with the use of new technology, is the key to success in the future of the recruitment  industry. We work to ensure that clients always have access to the smartest solution while our consultants contribute with their in-depth knowledge of the market and the most interesting candidates.
However, technology cannot replace the importance of networks. They attend seminars and lectures and want to be close to people and businesses to constantly know what's going on and be able to use it to the benefit of customers.
- Networking is not least useful in learning, being able to share experiences, to be updated and  inspired by how other people do things is exciting, says Solevåg.

Got a job offer while studying

Solevåg started at Ålesund University College where she first completed a bachelor's degree in export marketing. She then graduated from NTNU Ålesund with a master's in international business and marketing in 2016, the same year as the college merged with NTNU. She was active in a student organization called the Business Committee, and was responsible, among other things, for arranging something called the working life day.
- What is the most important knowledge you have gained from your studies?
- I have benefited from the basic knowledge of business strategy and how the business world works. At the same time, I think understanding theories and models would be easier if we had more practical experience on the curriculum.
Solevåg was lucky and got the practical experience she wanted through a job she had during her bachelor's degree.
- I was asked by a lecturer who was looking for a student who could work part-time in a company called Sintef Business Development. It was a great opportunity to have as a student.
A former colleague from Sintef Business Development started Yapril. He contacted her and she started the job in 2018.

Appreciate great flexibility

How does a normal working day look like for you?
- I have a lot of flexibility so it varies a lot. I have full confidence from the employer to organise the day the way I want it, and I really appreciate that. An important task is to work with technology’s role in strategy and development for the company, we are a small company and are involved in most of the operations.
The main motivation in her work is to evolve professionally, and to work with people who also want to develop themselves. progress.

As a person, she enjoys changes and challenges.
- My contribution to value creation I think, is to challenge the common practice and ask questions. By doing so, it opens up for many new opportunities.