vanessa | b-side #8

Getting Down to Business

1. What is your job profile?

I am a senior international recruiter. I work for a Nordic recruitment company; we have clients from all over the world and we help them with their recruitment needs.

2. Name one professional skill that you are currently trying to develop?

I am learning Swedish since October last year. I find it to be of added value and I believe is making the difference as an ice breaker during the interviews. I will continue my lessons in march.

3. Are you more productive at night or in the morning?

In the evening. I'm not a morning person at all but I have to wake up really early, because I deal mostly with Nordic countries.

4. What have you learnt from your worst job experience?

I can’t really say that I have ever had a really bad experience. But one time, I had to work in context that didn’t really suit me. This company had a super heavy hierarchical structure and there was no sufficient work for to fill the 8 daily hours, but I had to stay there until it was time to clock out.

5. Do you feel like you have made mistakes in your career? Did you learn a valuable lesson from those mistakes?

Yes, I have made mistakes and especially when you go abroad. I think the contact with other cultures really puts things into perspective. And I know that I could have, in some situations, reacted better.

6. What led you to this career?

Feeling utile. Helping others. This vibe resonates with others.

7. Talk to us about something unexpected you have encountered in your company?

Fast valorization. People are valued faster, when you make a comparison with the standards at Portuguese companies. There is space for feedback and the growth happens faster.

8. What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re proud of?

Quite a lot. But mostly, every time I am able to place someone, and I hear a “thank you” from a candidate. Also, when I feel, I am contributing to the development of the company.

9. What drains you at work?

Small things related with work and colleague relations.

10. From a recruiting perspective, what is the soft skill that you look for?

I look for a certain connectivity. I think active listening is key, even in an interview context where the candidate usually does the most talking.

11. How should success be measured? And by that measurement, who is the most successful person you know?

Maybe by dedication. Seeing someone striving to achieve something and adapt is amazing. In certain contexts, you have key elements in a team, that might not be super successful, but they make all the difference as leaders or colleagues. As for the most successful person I know, based on this, is a famous football player that already told many times, on interviews, that his success is due to dedication and training, more than inherent talent.

Let’s get Personal

12. What’s one of your favorite memories from the past year?

A visual memory from the window of my bedroom in Oslo, when it was snowing. I felt so peaceful. Sometimes I go back to that memory to “taste” this feeling.

13. What’s one thing you’re learning now, and why is it important?

I am incorporating yoga mantras in my daily routine.

14. If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would you choose?

I'd trade places with my mom. To see the world through her eyes.

15. Do you have any pets? What are their names?

I have Cat named Mocas.

16. What three words best describe you?

Honest, reliable and straight forward.

17. What smell brings back great memories?

Strawberries. It brings me back memories from my grandfather’s garden and from Oslo because you could find wild strawberries outdoors.

18. What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

That I raise fishes. Currently I only have two aquariums. I like to see fish grow.

19. What’s something that you’re bad at?

I am really bad at cooking.

20. What do you do to improve your mood when you are in a bad mood?

I eat chocolates or go for a hike, in the nature, or I take a nap.

21. What quote or saying do people spout but is complete BS?

I’m fine, everything is great. (when people are asked ‘How are you?’)

22. What advice would you give to your teenage self?

Don’t worry, everything will be fine. Be more relaxed.

Time to have fun

23. What’s one totally irrational fear that you have?

Spiders.

24. Would you rather know how above or below average you are at everything or know how above or below average people are at one skill/talent just by looking at them?

For recruiting purposes, the second would be super useful, but maybe it would be more interesting to know this about myself.

25. Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?

Painting.

26. If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, which would you pick?

None!

27. What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?

Scotland. I am planning to go this year.

28. What book are you reading now?

‘I can do it’ – Louise Hay.

29. Would you rather spend the rest of your life with a sailboat as your home or an RV as your home?

RV.

30. Would you rather be alone for the rest of your life or always be surrounded by annoying people?

My first answer would be: alone. However, the rest of my life can be too much time alone… I would give a chance to annoying people and maybe throughout the time they could become less annoying.

31. If you could only eat one item for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Chocolates.

32. What’s one item you want to own that you don’t?

Energy Crystals.

33. Would you rather have unlimited international first-class tickets or never have to pay for food at restaurants?

Never pay for food at restaurants. Obviously!

34. Do you think it is important for companies to know that people are more than a job profile?

Yes. It makes total sense because we don’t relate only on a professional basis.