Working at Schulmeister: An Interview with Recruitment Consultant Chiara Steinwender

What was your application process like at Schulmeister?

My application process at Schulmeister was very pleasant, respectful, and straightforward. The first interview took place online with the managing director in Graz, Kevin Hütter. Even then, I felt that I was being treated openly and as an equal. I was able to ask many questions and gained an honest insight into the day-to-day work and the responsibilities involved in HR consulting. Even after that interview, I could easily imagine becoming part of the team.

The second interview took place in person at the Graz office. I was given a very warm welcome, and we talked at length about day-to-day work, processes, and how Schulmeister operates. Since I had previously worked in generalist HR and didn’t yet have any experience in HR consulting, this interview was particularly interesting for me. It helped me better understand the difference between an internal HR role and consulting.

The third and final interview took place online again with the owner, Matthias Schulmeister, from Vienna. The main focus was on getting to know me personally even better. I was able to share more about my career path so far and, at the same time, learn a lot about Schulmeister’s history, corporate philosophy, and the company’s development.

Overall, I found the entire application process to be very professional, transparent, and personal. I particularly appreciated that they were flexible with my schedule, since I was still abroad at the time and therefore couldn’t start until later than originally planned.

Why did you decide to take this job?

While pursuing my master’s degree in Strategic Management in France, I was already able to gain practical professional experience as an HR generalist. During that time, I realized how versatile and exciting HR work is and discovered my passion for the field. That’s why it quickly became clear to me that I wanted to continue working in this field after completing my studies.

Since it was already certain that I would be returning to Austria, I was looking for a new professional challenge. I was particularly drawn to the opportunity to enter the field of HR consulting, as I hadn’t yet gained practical experience in this area. I wanted to expand my existing HR knowledge while also gaining a new perspective on recruiting and human resources management.

What appealed to me most about Schulmeister was the variety of the work. You collaborate with both companies and candidates and support the entire recruiting process. I found this combination of communication, consulting, and organization very exciting right from the start. I also appreciate being able to take on responsibility and help people take the right next step in their careers.

What does your typical workday at Schulmeister look like?

My day-to-day work is very varied, and that’s exactly what makes the job so interesting to me. I conduct interviews with candidates, draft job postings, actively search for suitable profiles, and am in regular contact with applicants and companies. I also oversee ongoing recruiting processes, coordinate with my team, and handle the organizational tasks that come up in my daily work.

Over time, I’ve not only learned a lot about recruiting but also about a wide variety of companies, industries, and positions. Through these many conversations, you develop a good sense of people and learn to properly assess both professional qualifications and personal qualities.

Of course, a certain routine develops over time. Still, no two days are alike, since every position, every company, and every candidate brings new challenges. Thanks to regular collaboration within the team and the constantly changing projects, the work remains varied and never gets boring for me.

What’s great about your job?

What I like most is that my work can really make a difference. It’s a wonderful feeling to guide people through their next career step while also helping companies find the right employees. When both sides are satisfied in the end and a successful placement is made, it’s a particularly rewarding sense of accomplishment.

Plus, you’re constantly getting to know new industries, companies, and people. This helps you continue to grow both professionally and personally and gain insights into many different career fields.

I find it especially exciting that you never know exactly what the day will bring. There are always new challenges, spontaneous changes, or unexpected situations that require a flexible response. Sometimes that also means finding solutions to difficult situations or making last-minute adjustments to plans. That makes the moments when an interview goes well, a candidate receives a job offer, or a position is successfully filled all the more rewarding. These moments of success are what make this profession particularly fulfilling for me.

What challenges does your job present?

One of the biggest challenges is aligning the expectations of companies and candidates as closely as possible. Not every candidate who is a good technical fit is also a good cultural fit for the company—and vice versa. That’s why it takes a lot of tact, good organization, and the ability to react flexibly to new situations. At the same time, you often have to manage several projects simultaneously and keep track of everything.

Another challenge is the seasonality of our industry. Demand is particularly high during the winter months, and many new projects come in at the same time. Things can get very intense during this period, so good time management is especially important. The summer months, on the other hand, are usually a bit quieter, giving us more time for internal matters, process improvements, or preparing for upcoming projects. But it’s precisely this contrast that makes the work so varied.

What makes your team special?

We’re a small team, which makes collaboration very personal and straightforward. We support one another, can ask questions at any time, and regularly exchange ideas. Information is shared quickly, and everyone pitches in when a project needs support. This fosters a strong sense of camaraderie, and you feel like part of the team right from the start.

I especially like that, despite the professionalism, there’s a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. To me, the office has a bit of a startup vibe: communication lines are short, ideas can be brought up at any time, and everyone takes responsibility. At the same time, we’ve developed our own little routines in our day-to-day work that strengthen team cohesion and ensure a pleasant work atmosphere.

This mix of personal responsibility, mutual support, and a culture of respect is what makes our team special to me and is one of the reasons why I enjoy coming to work every day.

Why is Schulmeister a good fit for you as an employer?

I really appreciate that at Schulmeister, you can quickly take on responsibility and are given the trust to work independently. At the same time, support is always available when you need it. The open communication, short decision-making processes, and respectful interactions with one another align very well with my way of working and create a work environment where you can grow both professionally and personally.

In addition, my role at Schulmeister combines two areas that particularly interest me. Through my professional experience, I’ve discovered my passion for HR, while my business education has given me a solid understanding of finance. Since Schulmeister specializes in finance and accounting positions, I can perfectly combine both areas. It’s exactly this combination that makes the work particularly exciting and varied for me.

What moment at Schulmeister stands out most in your memory?

What stands out most in my memory is placing my first candidate. It was one of the first interviews I conducted on my own. Thanks to regular communication within the team, I knew that my colleague was currently looking to fill a position for which my candidate would be a great fit. Together, we guided her through the application process, and after several interviews, she was finally offered the job.

That moment was very special to me. It was my first successful placement and, therefore, my first major success in recruitment consulting. Seeing that both the candidate and the company were satisfied showed me just how much can be achieved through good teamwork and an understanding of people.

What surprised you the most during your first few months?

I was surprised by just how varied the work in recruitment consulting actually is. From the outside, you often only see the recruiting side, but in reality, it involves many discussions, coordination, research, organization, and consulting. Additionally, the interpersonal aspect plays a much bigger role than I had initially thought. It’s not just about finding a suitable resume, but also about assessing whether a person is a good fit for the company both personally and professionally.

I was also surprised by how different each search process can be. Depending on the position and the current market situation, you either receive a large number of applications or have to actively seek out suitable candidates yourself. This means you constantly have to adapt to new circumstances and work flexibly. But it’s precisely this variety that makes the job so exciting.

What skill or trait is more important in your job than people on the outside might think?

In addition to good organizational skills, empathy is incredibly important. You have to be a good listener, understand the needs of candidates and companies, and often read between the lines. Good communication and honesty are crucial for finding the right matches in the long run.

In addition, patience and perseverance are qualities that are often underestimated. Not every position can be filled immediately, and not every application process goes as planned. You have to react flexibly to changes, be able to handle setbacks, and still stay motivated. It’s precisely this combination of people skills, organizational talent, and perseverance that makes the profession particularly exciting and challenging for me.