"Defined processes, fixed tasks and trusting communication are crucial."

The interview with Ada Tanase is the second article in our Sibiu series. The team of six is responsible for all tasks relating to the member area - from onboarding new interim professionals to data maintenance and personal support for our interim managers. In this interview, Ada explains how she came to JobNexxt Services, what exactly her tasks are and how she manages to work closely with the teams in Germany and Switzerland across a distance of more than 1,500 kilometers.

Dear Ada, as Managing Director of JobNexxt Services, you are responsible for the member area of Deutsche Interim AG. Please introduce yourself briefly.
Ada Tanase: I actually always wanted to be a German teacher. That's why I studied German and English. But, as is sometimes the case, my path didn't lead me into teaching. Immediately after my studies, I received a fantastic offer that I couldn't refuse. I was to help set up a new cultural and educational institution in Sibiu and establish it in the local cultural landscape. What an opportunity for a young graduate! In the early years, I was responsible for setting up the new language department at the German Cultural Center Sibiu as head of department. Later, I managed the entire institution over a period of 15 years. I enjoyed this work enormously, although it was anything but easy. Professionally, this time was very enriching.

You had a great job. Why did you switch to JobNexxt Services anyway?
AT: Looking back, I think the time was right for a career change. I wanted to immerse myself in a new environment and take on new challenges. Tilo had written an email to the cultural center because he was hoping to get in touch with German speakers. I answered his email. We got to know each other and then Tilo offered me the job.

💡LESETIPP💡
In the interview with Tilo Ferrari, you can find out more about the beginnings of JobNexxt Services. Read now!

How did you experience the early days of JobNexxt Services?
AT: Helping to build a company from scratch was exciting and new for me. And surprisingly easy. I had enjoyed doing a lot of networking work at the cultural center over the years. I had managed to build up good relationships with people and institutions. All these people then helped me in the early days of JobNexxt Services. Finding good employees and putting together a solid team, on the other hand, was not quite so easy. But looking back now, I can say that the wait for the right people was definitely worth it.

What significance does Sibiu have for you personally?
AT: Sibiu is my home, I really like being here. I like living in a city that is not small, but not very big either. And I find that it never gets boring here. There is a wide range of cultural activities and you also have good career opportunities - especially if you speak German.

What professional experience benefits you today in your work for JobNexxt Services? I'm very good at creating structures, supporting projects with communication and getting them across the finish line step by step. I also always had and still have an open ear for my colleagues. Listening, communicating and implementing - these are the cornerstones of my work.

What exactly are your tasks at JobNexxt Services?
AT: Well, I manage the location in Sibiu. As Head of Membership at Deutsche Interim AG and Swiss Interim GmbH, I - together with my team - support all our interim professionals throughout their entire manager journey, from the first contact through to successful placement. One of our key tasks is to oversee the onboarding process. Among other things, we help new interim managers with accreditation in the member area and with maintaining their profiles. We are always available to answer questions. We also support our members in completing their skills profiles and are there when CV and profile data needs to be updated. We ensure that the profiles and CVs in the member area are always up to date and well maintained. This is the only way our client advisors can quickly find the professionals who are best suited to an inquiry.

How do you ensure that the quality of the data and profiles meets the highest standards?
AT: First of all, I would like to emphasize that the quality of the manager pool is the most important thing for us. There are clearly defined processes and a clear division of tasks. What I also consider to be key is open communication - both within the Sibiu team and with our colleagues in Germany and Switzerland. Everyone knows what needs to be done when, how and why. And if things do get complicated sometimes, we take the time needed to get a situation under control again - not superficially, but fundamentally.

So you are a kind of internal quality assurance team?
AT: Yes, you could say that. We want every interim manager to feel that they are receiving the best possible support and advice. Personal contact is one aspect. On the other hand, the manager-specific data forms the basis for Matchmaker. Not only companies, i.e. potential customers, can use our search engine to find suitable specialists and managers. The application also forms the basis for the work of our consultants and customer advisors. Only if the database is clean will the search deliver the desired, accurate matches.

What do you like about working with the teams in Germany and Switzerland?
AT: I particularly like the relaxed working environment. Everyone treats each other with respect, which is very important for me and my team. We are a small but very nice team. There are six of us in Sibiu and we are now very well coordinated. Of course there are stressful days, but the working atmosphere is always good and we always treat each other with respect. The fact that there are fixed tasks and responsibilities, but new to-dos can also be added, ensures consistency and variety at the same time. It never gets boring.

The JobNexxt Services team in Sibiu (from left to right): Tilo Ferrari (Deutsche Interim AG), Anamaria Dragoș, Alexandra Dumitrescu, Ada Tanase, Christina Stanca, Hannah Winter-Ulrich (Deutsche Interim AG)

AT: How does the cross-border cooperation work?
AT: I still find it very impressive how well everything is going, considering that we are separated geographically by over 1,500 kilometers. The physical distance is still the biggest challenge for me. But one thing is clear: such a construct can only work if there are clear rules, fixed tasks, defined processes and a willingness for transparent, open-ended discussions. And, of course, everything is based on great mutual trust. We are also in constant communication with and among each other. And there are regular meetings. The colleagues from Germany come to Sibiu several times a year.

What are you particularly proud of when you look at your team and JobNexxt Services?
AT: I am particularly proud of what we have achieved as a team so far, of the way we have grown together and how naturally we help each other. I'm pleased that initiative is something that comes naturally, that we all have the courage to question things critically and develop solutions that help us all move forward.

Thank you very much for the interview, Ada!

Do you need the support of an interim professional? You can find suitable specialists and managers at Matchmaker!