Careers in Madrid

Laura Galera first joined Robert Walters in 2012 as a consultant and is now Renewable Energy and Transport and Distribution Recruitment Manager. She talks about how the business has supported her career and what it’s like to work in our Madrid office.

How did you get into recruitment?

I came to this sector by chance, but it is the best thing that has happened to me. After obtaining my degree in Industrial Engineering and spending a year in England, I approached Robert Walters as a candidate. When I met with my consultant they raised the idea of working for Robert Walters as they thought the technical knowledge I’d gained from my degree combined with my love of meeting new people made me a good fit for the company.

Why did you choose Robert Walters?

I really wanted to work for a company that offered genuine growth prospects, so the variety of professional development training opportunities Robert Walters offer was a major pull factor. In addition, Robert Walters has a great reputation and a broad knowledge of the energy sector worldwide, so that gave me confidence that the role would be a good fit for me.

How has Robert Walters supported your career?

When I first joined, I was immediately placed on the induction training which really helped me to gain a good understanding of the company values and culture as well as develop the necessary practical skills. Robert Walters offers the opportunity for you to develop your skills and knowledge at every stage of your career. I’ve had several promotions since joining the company and have recently moved into my first managerial position, leading a team of six people. To support my transition into this role, I was provided with management training from our managing directors, which really helped build my confidence and gave me excellent guidance on how to manage a team effectively.

In addition to developing my professional skills, working at Robert Walters has helped me to develop my knowledge of the energy sector. We’re encouraged to attend industry conferences and events as well as share knowledge within our teams. My team are passionate about their areas of expertise and love to discuss the latest trends, so I’m learning something new every day!

What sort of people are you looking for in Madrid?

Whilst we operate in the energy sector, we value the fresh perspectives and skills of people from other sectors, so we look for people from a range of backgrounds from construction and engineering to purchasing, operations and business development.

What skills do you need to succeed in recruitment?

You need to be a strong communicator that loves talking to people. The ability to multi-task is also essential. It’s a very varied role and there’s lots going on, so being organised and systematic in your approach will help you to keep on top of things. Finally, you need to have a strong work ethic. The rewards of this role are limitless; you just need to be prepared to work for them.

Tell us about the culture of the Madrid office

Team spirit is a big thing in the Madrid office. We have a wide mix of personalities but we’re always willing to help each other out. As a business, we aim to differentiate ourselves through specialisation, so each of our consultants leads a niche market. This means that our consultants will often come together to share information and insights, which has a really positive impact on the working environment.

What do you love about your job?

My team! I enjoy going to work every day because the team are so passionate, hardworking and willing to work together to deliver good results. As a result, many of us view each other as good friends and we enjoy going out for drinks after work on Thursdays. In addition to the fantastic work environment, I love the variety that my work offers; I could be attending client events one day and training my team on another. Not many office-based jobs can guarantee this much freedom.

Interested in a career with us? Send your up to date CV to maria.diaz@robertwalters.com.