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EURES (EURopean Employment Services)
News article20 April 2017European Labour Authority, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion2 min read

Former Croatian media professional puts his people skills to good use in Germany

Zagreb native, Mario Schneller, who for a decade worked for Croatian national radio, decided to throw it all in for a change of course.

Former Croatian media professional puts his people skills to good use in Germany
EURES Croatia / Mario Schneller

Not knowing where to begin, Mario shot off an email wish list to his local Public Employment Service, and was pleasantly surprised with their go-to attitude. According to EURES Adviser Patricija Kezele, Mario was not a typical client. He had initially pursued the classic jobseeker’s advice such as tips, guidelines and information about clinching a job abroad – and particularly in Germany. His German heritage as well as his ability to speak the language already had that target covered.

Proactive and cooperative

Mario had already enjoyed a lengthy career of 10 years in the radio sector in Croatia, and he also used to manage singers during their heyday in the late 1990s. A part-time gig as an IT tutor also ensured that he boasted an abundance of skills in addition to his passion and natural knack for connecting with people. Yet, charting all those skills into a punchy, concise and sellable CV was the main problem according to EURES Croatia.

Several email exchanges with his local PES (Public Employment Service) in 2014, during which he had outlined his needs, asked for clear guidelines and tips on how to take a change of course, began to mature into real cooperation.

“At first we went through the process of ruling-out what was not possible such as the rapidly evolving IT sector. Since Mario speaks a decent level of German and English, we capitalised on his people skills and began to target the gastronomy and hospitality sectors”, continues EURES Adviser Patricija Kezele.

Once they had set the strategy into motion, by agreeing on gastronomy as their point of focus, their next course of action was to send his new CV to EURES Germany’s gastronomy sector adviser who contacted several employers. Eventually, the hard work paid off and he got a job offer in the restaurant sector, in Germany and working with people.

Mario wants to urge others to take a shot at working in another EU country.

“I’m pleased that I have had the chance to benefit from EURES and recommend that other people do, too. I will certainly use it again. In fact, working in Germany was difficult in the beginning but now I am starting to see the dividends pay off. It is also a great advantage for my CV. And who knows maybe one day I may need their services again – at least I am certainly open to bettering myself professionally in time!”.

 

Related links:

Living and working in Germany

Croatian PES (Public Employment Service)

 

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