Our Faces of Recruiting – Finding the right fit between personality and skill set

Finding the perfect job can be a challenge - finding the perfect talent for a vacancy can be just as challenging. As a recruiting and employer branding partner at ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, Steffen screens resumes and has "digital coffees" with promising candidates every day. The one thing he always looks for: A hands-on personality.

Steffen's days usually begin with reviewing new applications and job postings for vacant positions at ATLAS ELEKTRONIK. First and second interviews or intake calls structure the rest of his working day and make every day different from the previous one. "My job is characterized by the alternation between personal contact with applicants and departments and documentation on the computer," he says. Getting to know new, authentic and interesting people with their own motivations and goals every day is what he enjoys most about his job.

What a recruiter pays attention to in candidates and their CVs

When you read applications every day, as Steffen does, you can quickly notice differences in the quality of resumes. One of his most important pieces of advice is to call the recruiter if you are not sure if you are a good fit. After all, "entry-level candidates are often just as interesting to us and could fill an open position, even if it's not explicitly stated in the job description," Steffen says. But the basics - such as a structured resume that demonstrates the skills needed for a particular position - are still important. "A good resume shows the recruiter that someone has thought about the position and is not sending a generic resume that will be sent to ten other companies," says Steffen. If a photo is included in the resume, it should show your personality, not someone in a suit with their arms crossed. The cover letter should be bold and show motivation. "It should be more than a written version of the resume," he explains. "It gives me and our hiring manager, a first insight into the person behind the application."

The process of application at ATLAS ELEKTRONIK

When asked how he starts a search for candidates, Steffen says that he clarifies the requirements for a position with the relevant department and based on this, creates an attractive job posting. As soon as the first applications arrive, they are pre-sorted and distributed to the relevant departments. It is important to provide feedback as quickly as possible, especially with strong applicants. "We usually hold two interviews, the first of which is more of a 'digital coffee' for me, where the candidates and departments can get to know each other and decide whether a second round of face-to-face interviews is interesting. The second round is more about personality and in-depth technical discussions directly in the potential work environment. Steffen is also well-connected within the company and with the department heads at ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, so that internal job placements also work reliably.

How should applicants prepare for such a coffee date? Steffen answers straightforward: “You should know where you are applying. Emphasize your motivation and introduce yourself based on the requirements of the vacant position.”

Soft skills or hard skills – what is more important nowadays?

Due to the current shortage of skilled workers, it is often necessary to assess the potential of applicants and see if you can provide the necessary training. "As long as we don't need experts, I tend to look for soft skills. At the moment, we need people who want to take us further and develop on the job," Steffen elaborates. Of course, a certain technical knowledge paired with an interest in complex topics is a must. People with an affinity for technology and a certain hands-on mentality actually fit into every team at ATLAS ELEKTRONIK. As long as someone is motivated and interested, all doors are open to them.

Speaking of skills: This is how Steffen explains his own role in an application process: "I introduce myself as the contact person for the entire application process and answer all questions. Speed is a very important issue here." For him, a high level of emotional intelligence is an important quality in a recruiter. Applicants should feel that someone is genuinely interested in them as an applicant and in all aspects of their resume. A good recruiter should be able to respond flexibly to different personalities and meet you at eye level.

How to apply at ATLAS ELEKTRONIK

Would you like to join our crew at Marine Systems or ATLAS ELEKTRONIK? Take a look at our vacancies on our career page.