1. You are a highly specialised head-hunter. Please describe your profession and the industry in which you work.

We are independent HR consultants and our company, HeadSearch Personnel Consultancy, specialises in two specific sectors. I mainly focus on the areas of ventilation technology, air conditioning systems, refrigeration technology, process air technology and filtration technology in technical building equipment (TGA). My wife, on the other hand, specialises in the non-woven fabric industry.

We support companies in successfully filling key positions in middle and upper management as well as sales specialists for products and services that require explanation. These include positions as Managing Director (m/f/x), Head of Technology (m/f/x), Sales Manager (m/f/x), Sales Engineer (m/f/x), Key Account Manager (m/f/x), as well as Product Manager (m/f/x) and Service Manager (m/f/x).

The ventilation technology / air filtration sector has experienced another real boom in the wake of Covid. There is currently a very high demand for qualified specialists here – a challenge that I am very happy to accept.

2. What is your advice for people who want to take the plunge into self-employment?

Above all, becoming self-employed requires a deep passion for what you do. It's important that you look forward to work; you shouldn't be dreading Monday on Friday, far from it. You also have to be prepared to give up any security, you have to be the kind of person who can do that. I myself took the plunge into self-employment relatively early on after my studies. For me, the key to success lies in the combination of passion and confidence in one's own strengths: I see myself as a good communicator with an independent personality who is able to act autonomously. This gave me the confidence to set up my own business.

3. What made you become a member of the Office Club?

I was already a tenant of an office here in Düsseldorf with Office Club's predecessor Dussmann. Now, after the move and the opening of the Office Club on Königsallee, I still like being a tenant. I now pay a little more, but I have a bigger office. The quality and location of the Office Club impressed me, as did the excellent service provided by Mrs Schrader at reception every day.

4. What special experiences do you associate with working at Office Club?

Since I started renting an office with my company, my way of working has changed a lot and so has the way I meet clients and candidates. COVID has also played a key role here. Before COVID, direct contact with candidates and clients was a matter of course; I met every candidate in person and was able to get a comprehensive picture. COVID has fundamentally changed this, with most interactions now taking place digitally on platforms such as Teams, FaceTime or Zoom. Despite this change, the office in the Office Club remains an important place for me. As a father of two children, it's important to me to have an office that separates work and private life.

5. Are there any professional situations that you don't like to think back on today?

(Laughs): The main challenges that come to mind are dealing with the tax office, when receiving advance payments and back payments at the same time. But challenging customers and emerging conflicts, which exist in every business, are also part of it. However, I see this as a normal part of my work, which is why I deal with conflict situations professionally and routinely.

6. How do you relax after a long day at work?

I have two children aged 9 and 12 and a wonderful wife. After work, we are currently enjoying board games, with Monopoly and Risk some of our favourites. Great holidays are also an important part of our family life. They allow us to discover new places together and create precious memories. And I have no objection to a good whisky or a special cigar on special occasions after work...(laughs).

7. What does your personal work-life balance look like?

Although it may not be in fashion right now to say this, I don't like the term. My philosophy is that you should find a job that you enjoy so that getting up in the morning isn't hard. Then there is no work-life balance issue. For my part, I am one of those people who enjoy working and earning money. Of course, I also know that as a self-employed person with a successful company, I am in the privileged position of being able to finish work at 12 o'clock if I feel like it... Not everyone can do that and I appreciate this freedom.