Lena Luise Schrock: Crafting a Career at Appinio, One Hire at a Time!
Appinio's People Team · 23.10.2024 · 8min read
Crafting a Career at Appinio, One Hire at a Time! | Life at Appinio
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At Appinio, we don’t just believe in growth—we live it. Our story as a company is one of constant evolution, and this philosophy extends to our team members as well. In this blog post, we’re thrilled to spotlight the remarkable career journey of Lena Luise Schrock, our Talent Acquisition Team Lead. From her first day as a Junior Recruiter to leading our TA team, Lena’s journey is a shining example of what it means to thrive in a supportive, forward-thinking culture. Let’s dive into her inspiring ride.
The Beginning: From Intern to Impact
Before joining Appinio, Lena was fresh off an internship in Talent Acquisition and People Operations at a Berlin startup. As the only person in her department without prior experience, she was hungry to learn and grow. That’s when Appinio came into her life.
“I wanted to be a part of their People Team,” Lena says, recalling how the interview process at Appinio drew her in. “I met smart, empathetic people and felt my values were aligned with Appinio’s culture. On top of that, I saw the unique opportunity to join a company with so much growth potential and have a real impact on that journey.”
And she certainly did! Lena became Appinio’s first full-time Junior Recruiter, jumping into a highly operational role, juggling 25+ roles across all departments and markets. Talk about hitting the ground running!
Growth Mode: Junior No More
In just 3.5 years, Lena went from recruiting for entry-level roles to managing a team of four Talent Acquisition professionals. Today, she’s the strategic lead for Appinio’s hiring efforts, but she still keeps her hands in the action, recruiting for leadership positions herself.
“I transitioned from a highly operational role to a more strategic one, where I dedicate more time to forecasting and team management,” Lena explains. “But I’m happy to be still close to the day-to-day of a TA Partner. It helps me understand the challenges of my team members.”
Her key to success? Staying adaptable. As Appinio grew, so did the challenges: redefining processes, managing senior roles, and leading new projects. Lena embraced each opportunity with open arms—and it’s paid off in a big way.
Mentorship & Team Spirit: The Appinio Way
Lena credits her growth not just to her own ambition, but to the amazing mentorship she received along the way. “My first manager played a fundamental role in building my confidence and communication skills. I was given a lot of trust, support, and appreciation, which encouraged me to do my best at all times,” she recalls.
There was a particularly challenging period when the Talent Acquisition team faced an overwhelming workload due to a high growth phase in the company. What got her through it? A team that knew how to keep things light. “Keeping open communication, making sure to laugh together, and holding each other accountable to do things that help us switch off helped me a lot during that phase,” Lena shares. And her manager’s advice? Priceless: “I know working out helps you manage stress—make sure to make time for that.”
The Appinio Magic: Flexibility, Support, and Growth
Ask Lena why she’s around for 3.5 years, and she’ll give you the same answer every time: support.
“Candidates often ask me why I am with Appinio, and my answer is always, ‘Because of the high level of support that we give each other.’” Lena shares. “It has always been very easy for me to ask for help when I needed it because Appinioneers have a genuine passion for supporting each other.”
Flexibility is another game-changer. During the pandemic, Lena was separated from her partner for six months due to travel restrictions between Germany and the UK. Thanks to Appinio’s flexible remote work policy, she was able to reunite with him in Lisbon while continuing to work. “Appinio’s flexibility demonstrates a strong level of trust, which feels empowering,” she says.
Living the Values: Be Positive, Own Your Results, Think 10x, Show That You Care
Appinio’s core values aren’t just posters on the wall—they’re the heart of how Lena leads her team. Take “Be Positive” for instance. “That doesn’t mean I can’t have a bad day,” she says. “To me, it’s more about an optimistic mindset and trusting that there will always be a solution to every challenge.”
And then there’s “Think 10x.” Lena always has one eye on the future: “Keeping in mind that we are consistently growing, I always ask myself: ‘How will this work once we have 500, 1000 employees?’ It helps me find solutions with a certain degree of scalability.”
Her management style is all about “Show That You Care” and “Own Your Results.” Lena makes it a point to check in with her team regularly, ensuring they’re managing their workloads while focusing on growth. She’s also big on embracing mistakes as learning opportunities. “Whenever a team member or I make a mistake, I encourage us to own it, learn from it, and ask, ‘”What can I do next time to avoid that?”
Looking Ahead: The Future Is Bright
Lena’s not slowing down anytime soon. With Appinio scaling to new heights, she’s ready for the next growth phase. “I am most excited about growing Appinio to 500, 1000+,” she shares. “Going through all these stages can be challenging, but it’s also so rewarding. The greatest part about it is that I can shape this journey moving forward and have a real impact.”
She’s especially fired up about expanding the Talent Acquisition team and implementing new tools and processes to help streamline the hiring process, all while maintaining Appinio’s high standards for candidate experience.
Advice from Lena: Want to Join the Ride?
If you’re thinking about joining Appinio, Lena’s got some words of wisdom: bring your passion, resilience, and an open mind. “We’re a growing company, so with every phase, new challenges arise. My advice? See those challenges as opportunities to be proactive with suggestions and ideas.”
Above all, Lena wants to see genuine excitement from candidates—people who get Appinio’s mission and are ready to disrupt the market research industry. “I’m less impressed by hearing when we were founded or how many clients we have,” she says. “What really stands out is when someone takes the time to read our spotlights on LinkedIn, check out the Heartbeat section on our careers page, or download our app.”
Closing Notes
Lena’s journey at Appinio is proof that if you’re willing to put in the work, the opportunities are endless. Whether you’re looking to take the next step in your career or join a company where you can make a real impact, Appinio is the place where growth, support, and innovation is prioritized — just ask Lena.
Be a part of our growing team! Visit our careers page and see where you fit in.
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