BCN
25/02/2022

#AskTheBoss

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If a company invites you for an interview, then you’ve cleared the first hurdle in the application process. So how do you prepare? And what makes your future boss tick? The #AskTheBoss series answers these questions while providing a sneak peek into different departments.

Today we talk to Sandra Janßen, Head of Publisher Management.

Burda is a huge company. What role does BCN Publisher Management play and how does it work with the various brands?

Publisher Management (PuMa) is BCN’s central interface. We collaborate and communicate with internal and external clients and partners while creative proposals are being tailored to their requirements. We position and stage brands for marketing purposes and are the driving force behind B2B marketing activities. We are always working to (further) develop proposal formats and standards and represent our media brands at appointments and events.

What do you look for in an application?

I think it’s important to choose applicants who will fit in well with the team. I look at the experience they’ve gained in previous roles and how these roles have helped them to develop. I always consider the dynamics of a CV and look for indications of why they want to switch jobs. The more an application relates to the vacancy and the more closely the applicant’s skills align with our requirements, the more likely they are to be selected. I also appreciate documents that are put together with care; I’m a bit old-fashioned that way.

Is there a question you always like to ask during interviews?

I have a whole set of standard questions. Many applicants say that a good team is important to them. So then I like to ask what they think makes a good team and what role they usually assume within a team. I always ask them to tell me about a work situation that proved particularly difficult or troublesome and how they dealt with it. This often indicates how resilient and solution-oriented they are. Their answers also say a lot about their ability to reflect. 

You’ve been at Burda for 6.5 years now – why?

I’ve been lucky enough to conduct marketing for various sections of Burda and to have enjoyed close and trusting working relationships with many different people. Like many others, I identify greatly with our brands and with the company, and so our collaboration continues to both enrich and motivate me. The people at Burda are wonderful. Marketing is constantly evolving, and this allows me to evolve myself, get to know new areas, take on projects and grow into new roles. I also value the corporation’s overall strategy. It’s impressive to see the success HBM has achieved in various fields worldwide. 

The pandemic has changed the world of work, and more and more people are working from home. How are new employees inducted into your department?

I really miss being in the same physical space as my team and colleagues. Even during induction, it’s clear that Microsoft Teams can’t replace office interaction. Nevertheless, even in the pandemic we have managed to offer quick and comprehensive induction for new employees. As well as myself, new colleagues always have a mentor on the team who acts as their initial point of contact. They are introduced to our brands, tools, processes and structures via digital means. We also have digital lunches and after-work events that allow colleagues to discuss more than just work. Everyone gets a bit sick of the digital world eventually, so we need a creative hook.

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