(Left to right: Jan, Pia, Jana, Pablo, Carolina)
At Picnic, weāre more than a grocery delivery company. The app that our customers use to buy their groceries is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the innovative technology that powers our operations, from the software that makes our automated warehouse possible to the app our Runners use to make their deliveries. But building awesome technology always starts with one thing: awesome people.
Our tech teams are central to everything we do, which is why we hire only the best people. We also pride ourselves on being a diverse, inclusive, and international company ā something that is especially important to our recruiters during the hiring process. Our tech recruiters are incredibly passionate about what they do, and that comes across to candidates who are applying for the exciting opportunities we recruit for.
In this blog post, we want to share that passion and give you the opportunity to get to know some of our tech recruiters a little better! So we spoke with 5 members of our tech recruitment team ā Pablo, Pia, Jan, Carolina, and Jana ā to get a feel for who they are and why they love what they do ā¤ļø
Pablo (Tech Recruiter)
How long have you worked at Picnic?
1 year and 2 months.
What is your background/what did you study?
I decided not to go to university and instead went to circus classes, and performed with the circus school! After that, I started working in the hospitality industry, which is where I had my first taste of recruiting. I then decided to take on a new opportunity and join the aviation industry, but it was at the time that the pandemic hit that industry particularly hard. So I landed in tech recruitment, where I really took off and found a great passion for it!
What do you love most about working at Picnic?
I love being part of a company that is really focused on improving and revolutionising the way we do things. The best part is seeing everyone come together to deliver a great experience to customers and create unique processes with tons of creative people from all areas.
What do you enjoy specifically about recruiting for tech roles?
I like the learning curve it comes with. Learning about tech purely from a recruitment perspective is of course not the same as actually working in tech, but being exposed to such a huge part of what is possible in our future is very exciting.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to join Picnic?
I would say: be ready to step outside of your limits and comfort zone. I have a strong feeling that everyone at Picnic is always pushing themselves to think outside the box to create something unique.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love to swim and relax in a good spa. But where youāll find my true self is on the dance floor.
Pia (Tech Recruiter)
How long have you worked at Picnic?
8 months.
What is your background/what did you study?
At 18, I decided to study abroad and moved to the Netherlands to study International Business and Management for my Bachelorās and Masterās degrees. Along the way, I spent 6 months studying in Canada, and doing an HR/Recruitment internship in New Zealand in an office 2 blocks from the beach. After my second internship in the area, I was set on it and went to Picnic as a fresh graduate.
What do you love most about working at Picnic?
Picnic just has this amazing energy of making everyone feel welcome and feel like part of the āfamilyā and the brand. I love being a āPicnickerā. Due to the immense growth, there are constantly new developments and challenges that await you which creates an exciting environment to be in.
What do you enjoy specifically about recruiting for tech roles?
During the past 6 months, I have learned so much about tech, things I never thought I would get in touch with. I really enjoy the personal growth that comes from it and being able to understand way more of what is happening in the world of technology, which I didnāt know much about before.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to join Picnic?
Be passionate and ready to do something new! Picnic is very innovative and that shows in its people!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love trying out new dishes and hosting dinner parties for my friends. But right now I cannot wait to hit the town again and dance the night away!
Jan (Tech Recruiter)
How long have you worked at Picnic?
1 month.
What is your background?
Prior to starting my career at Picnic, I studied International Business Management in the student-city of Groningen. Through an internship in Ireland, I was introduced to the lively work environment that a tech startup comes with. So, when I finished my Masterās, I was looking for a company that embodies not only technology but also sustainability and collaboration. Thatās how I ended up at the HQ of Picnic in Amsterdam.
What do you love most about working at Picnic?
Picnic for me is a safe space that is focused on innovation, collaboration, and communication. Everyone that works for Picnic has a say and is incorporated in everything that the company does. Plus, everyone I have met in my first two weeks has been so welcoming, it almost feels like a tight group of friends.
What do you enjoy specifically about recruiting for tech roles?
I think it is really interesting to meet new people from all kinds of backgrounds. Getting to talk to people you have never met before, and would not have if you were not a recruiter, is an opportunity that not every position or company creates.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to join Picnic?
Be yourself. Picnic encourages you to be the best version of yourself, and supports you on this path.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Iām quite an active person, so I enjoy going for a spin on my bike, going for a run through the park, or just meeting friends in parks and spending the day in the sun.
Carolina (Tech Recruiter)
How long have you worked at Picnic?
2 months.
What is your background/what did you study?
Iām originally from Colombia but I completed my studies in Canada. I had the opportunity to learn English and French first, and then completed a double major in Applied Human Sciences and French Studies. A couple of years after I decided to go back to school and get a Diploma in Human Resources Management. In terms of HR experience, I have been very lucky to be part of companies with multicultural environments within different industries such as retail, consulting, and the last one that gave me my first taste of the tech world.
What do you love most about working at Picnic?
Itās actually quite interesting. Up until this morning, I felt that the natural environment of innovation, technological implementation, and amazing culture were our strongest assets. However, I now understand that it is much, much deeper than all that. As a Picnic consumer, I woke up to a message telling me that my grocery order had been cancelled due to bad weather, something I consider extremely fair as I would not want to endanger a fellow colleagueās life. That being said, to my surprise, a few minutes later I had a knock on my door, and guess what?! IT WAS MY PICNIC ORDER, complete with a big smile on the Runnerās face!
It is this drive to go the extra mile that makes me feel like a proud Picnic consumer and employee ā we are the epitome of consumer centricity! Our strong culture ensures we put the consumer at the centre of everything we do, from top to bottom and from bottom to top, from our Runners and Shoppers to our developers and engineers!
What do you enjoy specifically about recruiting for tech roles?
I find it fascinating to learn from the engineersā perspective where the world is heading in terms of technology and innovation. When I decided to get into tech recruitment, I knew it was going to be an interesting and valuable challenge to add additional knowledge and complex terminology to my everyday activities.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to join Picnic?
Get to know us! We have some amazing content out there that will give you a good perspective of who we are and what we do. Let us get to know you! Share interesting experiences or projects that you feel excited about. We want to know what is important for you and, most importantly, how we can help you continue developing your career.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
When I can, I love travelling and learning about new cultures. Otherwise, dancing and listening to Salsa music is what I like to do while I am at home.
Jana (Tech Sourcer)
How long have you worked at Picnic?
I joined Picnic in early September (2021).
What is your background/what did you study?
I am originally from Estonia but have lived abroad all my life in different countries. I decided to come to the Netherlands for my studies and completed my Bachelorās in Psychology (majoring in economic and work & organisational psych) at Tilburg University. I really enjoyed living in NL and I loved how international Amsterdam was, so I decided to move to Amsterdam, and I plan to stay here for the foreseeable future.
I was always interested in business, economics, and psychology, and I thought that recruitment would give me an opportunity to combine my interests. I knew about Picnic as I have always seen the electric Picnic vehicles around, and so I decided to look into the company and apply ā and I havenāt regretted it since š
What do you love most about working at Picnic?
I love the work environment! Not only do my colleagues feel like friends, but I am always getting involved in new projects. I hate repetitive work, so the fact that every single day is different really keeps me motivated. As someone who is still in the early stages of their career, I feel like I am given the freedom to challenge myself with new tasks, and that gives me plenty of opportunities to learn and develop.
I also love holding interviews. I grew up moving to different countries and schools every few years, so meeting new people has always been exciting for me. Everyone has such different stories and backgrounds and I really enjoy learning about anything and everything from them š
What do you enjoy specifically about sourcing for tech roles?
I currently source for tech roles and it is definitely a challenge (but a good one!). I feel like software development has always seemed like a completely different world to me; it looked super cool and interesting but I also did not understand much about it. Now, I feel like I have learned so much more about technology and itās nice to be able to navigate the fastest growing industry. Also, I feel software developers are always working on really fun personal projects and I love hearing about them.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to join Picnic?
People here are definitely very passionate and creative, and so we look for like-minded people. Definitely ask lots of questions during your interview about the role and company. Also, itās always nice to hear about any fun projects you worked on, any hobbies, or secret talents you have. I personally really appreciate it when a candidate also tells me who they are as a person and not just who they are as an employee.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Football (soccer). I love playing football and watching football. I am also a very big traveller and foodie.
Thanks to our recruitment colleagues for giving their honest and insightful answers! Hopefully, it gives you an idea of what itās like to work as a recruiter for tech roles at Picnic. Want to learn more about our current tech recruitment roles?Ā Check out our careers siteĀ and get in touch ā weād love to hear from you š
