Hi David, welcome on board! I would like to ask you what was the process like to get to Granton? Which position do you aspire to and how do you plan to get it?
Last year in May, I applied for a job while I was nearing graduation from university. Since I planned to stay in England where I completed my Master’s degree in International Relations and International Human Resource Management, I had to think about my next step. I was thinking whether I should stay in England or move back to Central Europe where I miss the culture. Lastly, I decided to move to Prague, even though I was thinking of staying in the UK or maybe moving to Geneva. I have been living abroad for the past six years, and I missed being in the heart of Europe and the connections it has with other Central European countries.
Were you born in the Czech Republic?
No, I’m from Slovakia
You're the first person that I know from Slovakia! A pleasure, seriously. So, you've been in England.
Yes, I’m from Slovakia then I moved to England. Went to Switzerland, to be exact in Geneva,I studied there for two years to go to the university in England where I started a Bachelor of International relations and global development. I finished it and then got the master’s degree in international human resource management.
Could you elaborate more on that difference?
In my opinion, in terms of culture and approach to lifestyle, there is a significant difference between central European people and English people. Center European people are generally known to be hard workers, whereas English people may have a different approach. However, this is just my personal observation and may not be true for everyone. So, this is an example, speaking about the language, English people don’t have to put in as much effort to achieve something compared to someone who is a foreigner, whether they are from Central Europe, Spain, Latin America, or elsewhere. This is because English is not their first language, so they need to put in extra effort to succeed.
What were the factors that influenced your decision to choose Granton as the company you want to work for?
Personally, despite not having that much knowledge about IT consultancy companies, I don’t remember exactly how we approached each other. But, then they approached me and I had a great feeling about the company. They responded to me quickly and the interview process was stress-free. The factors that led to my selection could vary, but I believe it’s important to have confidence in yourself and on that something you will offer to the company.
Can you provide more information about your current position and discuss any challenges or experiences you have encountered thus far?
Starting as an IT recruiter was not as easy as I thought it would be. It is a challenging job, with a low response rate of 20-30% from the 100 candidates contacted. It can be frustrating when you are constantly being ghosted, but it’s important not to take it personally. You can’t lose faith in yourself and must continue to persevere. You need to believe that tomorrow will be a better day and keep going, with the mindset that you will have an interview or a screening. Recruiting is a very competitive and sales-oriented field.
What are the aspects or values you enjoy the most about being part of Granton?
Personally, the company values mutual trust and allows individuals to develop in their own way, which is unique compared to other companies that may only allow development in ways that align with the company’s needs. They prioritize individual growth and happiness, and it’s great that the colleagues have become friends. I think transparency is also a key value at Granton, and they are supportive even with personal matters. While I may have already answered this question before, I believe these are the values that come to mind.
Which elements do you think are the ones that make Granton good and which are the ones you think that could improve?
I think Granton’s strength lies in their ability to bring people together and connect them, which is not something that many companies do. This creates a strong sense of community and keeps everyone in touch, which is great. When it comes to areas for improvement, I believe there is always something that can be improved, as no one is perfect. In terms of work, one area that could be improved is closer collaboration between different departments within the company. However, I know that this is currently being addressed and worked on. It can be challenging to bring together both internal and external people to discuss business matters, but I believe that we are making progress in this area.
They see potential in you, they always want you to speak up and give you a chance to show them what you can do. If you can demonstrate your potential, they will let you do it because there is no rule that says you can’t.
Based on your experience so far, do you have any advice or strategies you would recommend to someone who is new to Granton? This could include tips for success or specific tools to use
In general, it’s important to track your time, and there’s a tool for that. Another valuable tip is to never be afraid to ask for help or clarification when needed. It’s important to speak up and be yourself without worrying about what others may think.
What are your wishes for Granton for the upcoming semesters or the rest of the year?
I hope we can meet all the targets set at the beginning of the year and avoid losing any more of our team members. I also hope that we can bring more people on board and increase our numbers.
What do you consider to be your personal goal in Granton for this year?
One of my goals was to join the HR team, and I feel thankful for achieving that. Now, I aim to enhance my skills and knowledge in the field of IT, specifically building my competency and expertise in it. I believe there’s always room for improvement, and I don’t have a specific role in mind yet. Currently, my main goal is to boost my confidence and knowledge in this field.
