COVID-19 still has a firm grip on us and sets a new daily routine for many of us, to which we slowly get used to. We hope that our 5 tips on how to work productively from home in times of the Coronavirus helped you making your (working) day at home a little easier. The tips were compiled by Elena D'Cruz, Marketing Specialist at Coopers. Today's blog post – unrelated to Corona & Co. – is intended to introduce our blog writer Elena a little better. The interview was conducted by Elena's new colleague Kenneth.
Elena, you've been running the Coopers blog for a good year now and last week you posted tips for working from home during the corona crisis. How are you doing, how has your working day changed in the current situation?
I've been like most people, I guess. I was speechless about the way events were unfolding. Many things happened so quickly and yet so slowly at the same time.
First and foremost, I am grateful that all my loved ones are healthy. But my daily working routine definitely has changed a lot. We have a two-year-old son, who is now cared for 24/7 by my husband and me. Fortunately, I often work from home anyway, have a small office corner and am used to structuring my working day independently. Online Marketing is not tied to a specific location and so I can do the lion's share of my work well from home. A big thank you at Coopers for letting me organize my working hours so flexibly! This makes it so much easier to balance work and family life – in general and especially now. Which also helps me a lot: I took tip 5 of the last blog post to heart and put perfectionism aside. I'm already really good at ignoring mountains of laundry and toys lying around.
You mentioned Online Marketing, which includes the blog. What tasks does this involve and what challenges do you face?
Exactly, among other things I create content for the Coopers Blog. Thus, I do a lot of research and try to cover a wide range of topics. That's important because we address quite different target groups. Our clients have different interests than our external consultants or candidates.
Of course, we also use the Coopers Blog to position ourselves as a company and employer. This also includes our social media channels, LinkedIn, Xing, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Kununu. Some are still in their infancy, which is why we are currently developing strategies and campaigns to expand their reach. For example, we have launched a series in which we provide event tips for the weekend – currently in the "Corona Edition". It's worth checking out, so far on Instagram and starting this Friday also on Facebook and Twitter by #eventtipsbycoopers.
Sounds cool, let's see what's recommend this week! Regarding different target groups and interests: Do you profit from the fact that you once worked as a recruiter yourself?
Absolutely! At that time, I recruited experts in permanent positions and was responsible for both client and candidate management. That's helpful in that I can identify the concerns and wishes of both sides and (hopefully) cover the different interests with relevant topics.
As a recruiter, how did you end up in Marketing?
Good question, though you'd have to turn it around: How did I get from Marketing to recruiting? I studied Economics (majored in Marketing and Psychology) and then did my doctorate in Business Administration (Marketing). I hadn't event finished my doctorate when I received an offer as a recruiter. I was curious to get to know the Sales branch in Marketing and took the job. During my parental leave, I was then in the right place at the right time and ended up at Coopers, where I get to use and combine my experience in recruiting and in Marketing.
What are your strategies to wind down and leaving a stressful (working) day behind you?
My family grounds me and makes my heart laugh, a lot of outdoor time with fresh air provides new energy and practicing yoga helps me to calm my mind – at least temporarily.
Traditionally, we end our "5 minutes with" interviews with a few unconventional questions. Are you ready?
Ready!
Mac or PC?
Mac
My favorite app is...
...among others Adobe Photoshop Mix.
Whom should we absolutely follow on Instagram?
ohhhmhhh, because it's refreshingly honest and positive.
Which three things would you take to a desert island?
My husband & son, scuba diving equipment and my camera.
Do you have a guilty pleasure?
Pain au Chocloat. Every Sunday. Like, really EVERY Sunday.
Please finish this sentence: "I love working in Marketing, because..."
...it's a very communicative and dynamic job.
Thank you so much for your time and the interview, Elena!
