Fabian Herdle
Core Cluster Human Relations
Outside The Box
While other people are still thinking outside the proverbial box, Fabian has already climbed over it and is looking for new challenges. Whether it’s the strategic direction of the company, its own goals in the cluster or the development of employer branding – Fabian can make an excellent contribution everywhere and is helping to optimize virtual7 and digitalization in Germany.
How did you come to virtual7?
I was actively looking for a job and found a job advertisement in an application portal. I saw on Xing that I knew someone who already worked for virtual7. I asked him about the position and the company. As he only had good things to say, I applied for a position in the sales team without further ado. In the first interview with HR, I was told that I would fit in better with the team. As a result, the application process was adapted so that I was invited to an interview in Karlsruhe just one day later and went home with a recruiter position that was actually intended for a senior.
What do you particularly enjoy about your job?
I work in HR because I enjoy being in contact and working with a wide variety of people. What I particularly like about the target group in the IT sector is that you can find this diversity of characters there. In recent years, I have increasingly developed into the area of strategic planning in the field of recruitment and the integration of HR marketing. I am concerned with the question of how we can improve and create a successful employer brand. Interviews are still fun for me today, I try to think through the topic of recruiting more holistically and find new creative approaches.
What are you particularly good at?
I always look for and try to find quick solutions to reach my goal. In the area of recruiting, this has already brought us many process optimizations. That’s why I’m often asked when it comes to processes whether I can take a look at them and identify potential for optimization and savings.
What can your colleagues learn from you?
In terms of my cluster in particular, it’s a certain calmness that I bring with me. I’m the only man in the German part of the HR core cluster. My colleagues keep telling me that I’m a good calming influence. If something goes wrong, I recognize very quickly whether I can change the situation or not. Apart from that, I like to give out catchy tunes and you can definitely learn something from me in terms of music.
What are your tasks at virtual7?
I am still involved in reviewing CVs. Above all, however, I have become a sparring partner for all customer clusters. This involves conducting interviews, giving feedback and asking questions about candidates or possible recruiting measures. HR marketing and employer branding have become increasingly important. In this area, I am always on the lookout for new approaches and methods to make us better known and create visibility. I am also involved in recruiting events. For the coming year, the planning for events such as Javaland, WeAreDeveloper’s and all the PCDEs is in full swing. In addition, there is the daily exchange with headhunters and other service providers with whom we work.
What are your hopes with regard to digitalization?
I am still involved in reviewing CVs. Above all, however, I have become a sparring partner for all customer clusters. This involves conducting interviews, giving feedback and asking questions about candidates or possible recruiting measures. HR marketing and employer branding have become increasingly important. In this area, I am always on the lookout for new approaches and methods to make us better known and create visibility. I am also involved in recruiting events. For the coming year, the planning for events such as Javaland, WeAreDeveloper’s and all the PCDEs is in full swing. In addition, there is the daily exchange with headhunters and other service providers with whom we work.
What makes you happy at the end of the working day and what motivates you to start the next day?
It makes me happy when the team grows. Even a small contribution like a first phone call can provide the decisive impetus for the person to join us. This year, I have realized for myself that I have really arrived at virtual7. I am perceived as a contact person in the Recruiting department and my opinion is valued across all clusters. When the Recruiting Support role needs a tip for an upcoming job interview and I can help, it gives me an incredible amount in return. I am proud that I have earned this standing in the company and that the Managing Directors value my opinion.
Who suits virtual7? What do new colleagues need to bring with them?
We are not a company that is looking for the same people. The people we are looking for should bring each other forward. This means that different perspectives and attitudes are very important to us. However, one basic requirement that you should bring with you is a certain amount of self-motivation. We do not micromanage. You will not be told how and when to do your work. You have to be able to work independently and that is one of the few hurdles I see. Whether you just want to develop, work strategically within the company or take on other roles, it’s all possible at virtual7. Every employee, regardless of whether they have roles or not, is worth exactly the same.
What are the most important HR topics for us in the future?
Trends that we should not lose sight of are topics such as mobile office and workcation. I find the opportunity to work abroad for a certain period of time very exciting. Reverse recruiting is becoming increasingly important, especially in the field of recruiting. This means that we as a company introduce ourselves to candidates. We are currently taking our first steps in this area. We have created a CV from virtual7 and are applying to potential colleagues as an employer via recruiting platforms. In the future, it will become increasingly important to find new ways of approaching candidates. It will no longer be enough to advertise a position or send candidates a message via Xing. It is much more important to find creative approaches that reflect the mood in the company.
What goals would you like to achieve in the coming year?
I hope that we can maintain the family atmosphere, even if we continue to grow. My hope is that great value will continue to be placed on people above the workforce. So far, the company has always responded to the life situation of individuals, which I think is very nice and I hope that this will continue. It shows me as an employee that I am valued. We have a lot of potential, so I hope that we continue to grow. Because I thought this year was great, I want it to continue in the coming year and maybe we can go one better. We are currently laying the foundations for this by establishing an employer brand and working more closely together in the area of HR marketing. For my day-to-day work, I hope that we can launch new campaigns, come up with cool ideas and simply work creatively.
About the artist
Anton Glöckner
“I’ve loved drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. This was also encouraged at an early age with drawing courses.
I have not yet received any major awards, but I can point to a special “publication” of my art. The picture of my school-leaving exam actually ended up as a tattoo on my teacher’s leg – not every illustrator can claim that.
I’m currently still studying design at the TH Nuremberg. Like many other artists, I’ve switched to digital drawing tablets in recent years. However, some sketches and studies are still done traditionally on paper.
Comic artists like Frank Frazetta and the Japanese manga style inspire me to draw.”
