The Berlin Job Offer That Changed My Life - A Recruiter's Tale of Risk & Reward

Every time I tell this story, I get goosebumps. Every. Single. Time.

This is not like my other Blog Posts, this is a Personal Story, about “Manifestation”, if you will. Something I did not realise until…after.

I hope that you can find inspiration in the story and it will help one or two folks push through hard times. And my lessons learnt, and how this translates to some of my Talent Acquisition mentality - at the end.

Enjoy.

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My story here started with a really cheap birthday trip and a carry-on suitcase.

June 2014: I was really quite poor, living in the UK.

For my Birthday, in June, I wanted to "go somewhere". My partner at the time and I, travelled to Berlin, landed at Tegel Airport, heading for the most affordable accommodation we could find.

The bus dropped us in Charlottenburg, in front of a “hotel” (questionable) called Econtel.

And there I was, standing with my little suitcase, having seen absolutely nothing of Berlin yet, when I literally blurted out: "I need to move here."

Not want. Need.

We did the tourist things for 3 days.

No legendary Berlin nightlife, no proper exploration of what makes this city tick. Just walking about, really.

But that feeling? It wouldn't budge. It was like I'd found my real home without having the foggiest idea why.

The Obsession Begins

Back in the UK, I went properly mad with it. Skint as we were, I somehow found money for a German tutor.

I also spent hours - hours - just staring at pictures of Berlin flats online. Who does that? Me, apparently.

Then life went sideways in January 2015, and I landed back in Bucharest, Romania (at my parents’s house).

Should've been good enough - home, friends, family again. But Berlin wouldn't shut up in my head. Got a new job in Bucharest, and negotiated for Goethe Institute German courses as part of my compensation. Completely irrelevant and useless for my job.

Who asks for that in their job package?

“Yes, I want to go do Goethe Classes from 18:00 to 21:00 every other day, after work, sure!” 👀

A person possessed, that's who.

The Madness: Overcoming Rejection on the Path to the Job Offer

By summer of 2015, I was firing off job applications across Germany like a crazy person. Rejection after bloody rejection. The best one? Booking.com rejected me - a native Romanian speaker - for "limited language skills" for a Romanian-speaking role. You couldn't make this up!

Then I spotted this: Engineering Recruiter at Zalando.

Did I apply online like a normal person? Oh no.

I compiled this massive portfolio of everything I'd ever done professionally (and I mean everything), dragged my best friend to Berlin for 5 days (on holiday…ihm), and cold-called their mainline trying to reach the Head of Talent Acquisition.

She was on holiday.

But I got through anyway!

Really, she was on holiday in Amsterdam and not knowing what’s what, she answered and I did not take “no” for an answer.

She told me to apply online (duh).

I said “no”.

I said that I came to Berlin to apply in person and close-to begged her to allow me to do so.

Did it work?

No.

I had to apply online. After she promised me that I will at least get a 30 mins interview.

And I did.

Now picture this: me, in my holiday clothes (above), walking into Zalando headquarters (BMO - Berlin Mollstraße - that's how we named our buildings) to meet Anna in her flowing red dress.

"It's a fashion company" she said, "we don't care about formal wear". And then I had my interview. During which...for nearly half of it...I thought they are hiring Engineers for their Warehouses...only when she mentioned "Coding" I thought "oh...ups!...those kind of #engineers".

(One may argue that I was not well prepared. But I promise you that I learnt the god damn website by heart by the time I got there. I knew where all their Warehouses were and even made calculations of how many Maintenance Engineers they may need per each, and how they should structure their teams. So...really well prepared.

For the wrong thing.)

Walking out, after my 45 minute interview, my friend spots a massive bird poo on my shoulder. "Congratulations, let me be the first one to shake your hand" she says.

I thought she is joking. But no, it was true. Apparently, the birds knew something I didn't.

The Leap into the Unknown

The job offer was - €1,500 net monthly, and €1,000 for relocation (but I would pay for my stuff first).

One-year contract, not even a permanent role.

Finding a flat was a nightmare - ended up with one eating up nearly my entire salary (990€ per month - yep!).

I did not even care where it was at some point (remember, I had 2-3 weeks to get this sorted and move - I needed to start my job on the 1st of November 2015 and this was early October we’re talking!)

So, I FINALLY got accepted for this one flat. I only saw it online - It was nice, spacious, light, furnished…a nice agency support and a cool landlord too. This could have been in Brandenburg for what I cared for.

DO-YOU-KNOW where this god damn flat was?

On the street leading to … the Econtel Hotel in Charlottenburg.

The exact same street where this whole mad story began. Every time I tell this bit, the goosebumps come back.

Let's move

October 19th, 2015: Mum and I arrived with 2 suitcases and some boxes. The lift in this building was so tiny we had to take turns - one person, one suitcase at a time, up to the 3rd floor. But we made it.

Two days after Mum left, the skies cleared and I thought, I’ll go for a “walk”.

At some point on my “walk” I took the Ring-Bahn - the circular train line around Berlin, thinking, I will go and explore a little bit more. And I think that's when reality hit.

I ended up on that Ring-Bahn track, rode it full circle, crying my eyes out the entire way round. The panic was overwhelming: What had I done? I was completely alone in a city where I knew absolutely nothing and nobody. Nothing and nobody.

"What have I done???"

And you know what? That's exactly what makes this story worth telling.

Because sometimes the maddest decisions, the ones that make 0 logical sense, the ones that have you sobbing on public transport - they're the ones that change everything. They're the ones that bring you home.

I still can't explain it. I still get goosebumps telling it.

And yes, I'm still here. And yes, it was all worth it.

So maybe, just maybe this story inspires one or two people to simply - believe. I share it for you as much as I share it for myself. Sometimes the most educational Blog Posts can be the ones that make us smile during the day.

Lessons Learned for Recruiters (and Everyone Else): Believing in the Impossible

Here's what this whole experience taught me, and what I believe every recruiter (and frankly, every individual navigating their career) should keep in mind:

1. Look and Go Beyond: My "mad dash" to Zalando wasn't exactly the most conventional application strategy. I didn't perfectly fit the job description (understatement of the century!). However, I demonstrated passion, determination, and a clear vision for what I could bring to the table.

As recruiters, we need to be open to unconventional candidates who may possess valuable skills and qualities that don't always shine through on a CV.

1. Potential Outweighs Perfection: I was far from a perfect candidate. I made mistakes, I was unprepared in some ways, and I definitely lacked a complete understanding of the role I was interviewing for.
   1. But somewhere along the way, someone at Zalando saw my potential.
   2. They recognised my drive, my eagerness to learn, and my ability to adapt. Recruiting is about spotting potential, not just ticking boxes.

1. The Human Element Matters A LOT: This entire experience really shows the importance of the human connection. From the Head of Talent Acquisition answering her phone on holiday to the interviewers who saw something beyond my slightly frantic enthusiasm, people made this move possible.

As recruiters, we must never forget that we're dealing with individuals with hopes, dreams, and vulnerabilities. Empathy, understanding, and building genuine connections are crucial for real and solid talent acquisition.

1. Embrace Risk, Encourage Risk-Takers: My decision to move to Berlin was undeniably risky. It involved financial sacrifices, emotional challenges, and a significant leap of faith. But it ultimately led to incredible growth and fulfillment.
   1. We should encourage candidates to take calculated risks and support them in pursuing opportunities that align with their passions, even if those opportunities seem unconventional on paper.
2. Believe in the Impossible (Because Sometimes It Happens): I never imagined that a fleeting thought during a cheap birthday trip could lead to such a transformative experience. The power of manifestation is real, but it also requires immense effort, resilience, and a willingness to push beyond your comfort zone.
   1. In recruiting, this means believing in the potential of every candidate, advocating for them, and helping them see the possibilities that lie within themselves.

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What's your "goosebumps" story? 🥰

Until next time folks,

Andreea