What do you do at Sicra, and what is your main focus right now?

I work broadly with HR and recruitment at Sicra, and I originally came from Bluetree. I am based at our office in Gothenburg, but I travel regularly to Oslo and otherwise work closely with my colleagues in Norway digitally. Recently, I have spent a lot of time on the integration between Sicra and Bluetree, particularly on putting good systems, processes and routines in place for how we will work with HR and recruitment going forward.

What does a typical workday look like for you, from candidate interviews to HR projects?

A typical day for me often involves conversations with candidates, either through interviews or follow-ups. I also stay in regular contact with our managers to support them with HR matters, administration and recruitment processes. In between, I usually work on one of our ongoing HR projects. Right now, there has been a lot of focus on our employee handbook and HR system.

What is important to you when assessing a candidate in an initial interview?

In an initial interview, the most important thing for me is to get a good overall picture of the candidate. In a relatively short amount of time, I want to establish that the key requirements are in place, but also understand the candidate’s ambitions, interests and what they are looking for in their next role. For me, it is just as important that Sicra is right for the candidate as it is that the candidate is right for us.

When do you feel that you are succeeding in your HR work at Sicra?

For me, success is when we manage to make everyday working life easier and a little more enjoyable for our colleagues. An important part of our job is to create a sense of security and social belonging for everyone at Sicra, and to be there as a source of support for both employees and managers, whether that means helping with work environment matters, creating a smooth onboarding experience or planning an inspiring kickoff. Being part of Sicra should feel safe, simple and motivating. When we achieve that, we have done a good job.

What do you think it takes to build and preserve a good culture when an organization is growing and changing?

I think it is important to find a balance between preserving what already works well in the culture and being open to change. When a lot is new, I also think it is important to return to the core values and make sure they are reflected in what you build next. That way, you can continue to develop and change without losing what makes the culture what it is.

What motivates you most in your work, and what do you find most rewarding?

Positive feedback from candidates and colleagues is what motivates me most in my day-to-day work. A large part of my job is about finding the right people for Sicra and creating a good experience for those who already work here. When I see that what we do is appreciated and genuinely makes a difference in people’s everyday working lives, that gives me motivation.

What misconceptions do you most often encounter about what HR actually does?

I do not really encounter that many misconceptions about what HR does, but I find that expectations of HR can vary quite a lot, often based on previous experiences. HR is a very broad field, and the role can look different from one workplace to another. That is also exactly what I find so interesting about HR: you get to work across many different areas, with different people and different issues, and no two days are exactly the same.

What are you most looking forward to in the time ahead?

First and foremost, I am looking forward to being part of Sicra 2.0 and the exciting journey ahead of us. It has been very inspiring to get to know all my new colleagues, learn from their experiences and at the same time figure out where I can contribute so that together we can build an even stronger whole.

Is there anything you have read, watched or listened to that has made an impression on you?

One series I really enjoyed and would happily recommend is My Brilliant Friend. I especially liked it because it felt completely different from other series I have watched. The characters become very distinctive as you get to know them, and so much is conveyed through what is left unsaid, but which you still understand and feel alongside them.

What do you like to do in your spare time when you are not working?

In my spare time, I really enjoy travelling and experiencing new places. I am also interested in culture and like spending my free time going to concerts, musicals, the cinema and other cultural events. Last year, I visited Japan and South Korea for the first time, which had been on my bucket list for a long time and really became an experience I will remember.

For the past six months, I have been living and working from Madrid, which has been a lot of fun and has given me the opportunity to get to know both the city and the culture better.