Time to say goodbye – our colleague Dilan Gül is moving to Sweden! What an adventure. We're posting this goodbye interview with mixed feelings – we are happy and excited for Dilan, but we're definitely going to miss her around here.
Dilan, you joined Coopers in the summer of 2019 as a lateral entrant. After finishing your master's degree, you were a teacher at a school in Bern. What did that career change feel like?
It was a whole new world. I started as a Talent Acquisition Specialist in the Coopers trainee program. I was recruiting in IT and engineering, where I had to acquire a lot of technical knowledge.
But that was no problem at all thanks to a great onboarding process. Jan-Philipp and Leonie did a great job in training me and taught me a lot. And even after completing the initial training period, we still have regular skill training sessions in our team to understand the requirements of the recruiting market and to stay up to date.
What did you like about working at Coopers?
Oh, many things! First and foremost, the service-oriented mindset at Coopers and the tremendous team spirit. Our college at school was also close, but Coopers took it to the next level. Colleagues and I met privately, and we have developed real friendships.
Oh, nice. In your engineering team?
There, too, but you can feel the team cohesion across all departments. That's what makes it so special.
Our team grew incredibly fast. When I joined, there were four of us. Now, about two and a half years later, it's twice as many. Due to Corona, many onboardings took place virtually. Luckily, I met most of the new colleagues in person, but not all of them. I'm sad I missed that chance.
What else are you going to miss?
Besides the family spirit, definitely the cool team events and my "baby", one of our major customers in the medical device sector. I was their single point of contact in the engineering area and built up the business there from scratch. Unfortunately, I only got to know my contractors virtually. It's reassuring that they are still in good hands, but letting go is not so easy, after all. I have truly put my heart and soul into it.
Was that your exclusive assignment at Coopers?
No, no. That's what I liked so much about my job – it was super diversified and went beyond recruiting. I really enjoy recruiting per se because of the service orientation. Nevertheless, I wanted to take on other responsibilities, too, and Coopers was fully responsive to that. For example, I was a super user for our new ERP system, took over parts of the onboarding of new internal employees, and participated in marketing projects.
And will you go back to teaching in Sweden or will you stay in recruiting?
I will remain true to recruiting. It's a really great job. Getting to know so many different people, their stories and being able to contribute to their future chapters, I find that very enriching.
However, in Sweden I will be working in a different recruiting area, as in-house Talent Acquisition Partner. I'm looking forward to the change of perspective.
Not job related, what are you looking forward to most and is there also something that makes you feel a bit uneasy?
To me, this is a huge adventure. It was always my dream to live abroad. To get to know new things, different customs, people, et cetera. Until now I have never lived more than 100km away from my birthplace. It will be quite an adjustment and it is not easy to leave my life here in Switzerland behind. But I'm emigrating with my partner, he's already been in Stockholm for a year and during my visits I've already gotten to know and love the region.
Even in winter?
Dilan laughs. Even in winter! I have been there in almost all seasons, just not in summer. It's quite an adjustment with the daylight, though. Apparently, last year was the longest period of days without a single hour of sunlight. To make sure that doesn't affect the mood too much, there's the hygge tradition; it's part of the Danish culture, but also common in Sweden. Even the smallest bars, cafés and the like are beautifully and invitingly decorated, so that people are happy to leave the house despite the wet cold and darkness. I am very excited about it.
I truly understand. One final question: Dilan, where would you take us if we came to visit you in Stockholm?
I love fine dining, so I would take you to Ekstedt, where chef Niklas Ekstedt prepares everything over fire and uses almost no electricity. Also, Punk Royal, which is a totally awesome place: It's dark, the lights flicker, and the music matches the courses, playing everything from ABBA to hard rock to electro. Nevertheless, the food is of the highest quality. Truly an experience.
During the day, I would show you the beautiful Tyresta National Park. In less than an hour you leave the city behind and find yourself amidst beautiful nature.
Sounds amazing! Dear Dilan, from the bottom of our hearts, we are wishing you a smooth start in Sweden. Rest assured that you will be missed around here.
Thank you! Me too – and I am looking forward to many visitors.
We wish Dilan all the best for her future, both professionally and privately. Fortunately, you always meet twice in life.
A little surprise for Dilan: Here are some fare-well wishes from your team colleagues:
Jan-Philipp
What I will miss: Dilan's constant questions. Her calls for shots even though everyone has had enough. Her everyday positivity. Her meticulousness and ambition. But most of all: a wonderful team member and even more the person Dilan!
(What I won't miss, by the way: Dilan's constant questions. And her calls for shots, even though everyone already has had enough. ????)
Leonie
Dear DEALan, we started together as trainees and had a wonderful and enriching time together.
On your further way I wish you only the best. I will miss you!
Farväl!
Yours Leonie
Chris
Thank you very much for your tireless efforts, dear Dilan. Wish you a wonderful, successful and fulfilling time in Sweden! Vi kommer att sakna dig! hejdå! #alwayspartofthefamily
Kitti
Dear Dilan! It has been very nice to work with you in a team during the last years. Thank you for your proactivity and help. For your new path I wish you: POWER, happiness, success, joy, courage, love and confidence! I would like to say it all in Polish, but I can't. ????????
All the best, Kitti
Denise
Dear Dilan, I have one thing to say: "Who asks a lot, learns a lot" ???? Thank you for all your commitment in our Coopers team – who is supposed to question everything in detail in the future? I wish you all the best in Sweden. Please get in touch if you ever want to do workation in Basel. There is always a place for you in our office. ALWAYS PART OF THE FAMILY. We will miss you. All the best, Denise
Serkan
Dear Dilan, ever since our student days, I have come to know and appreciate you as a nice, open-minded and very helpful colleague. I enjoyed our (short) time as colleagues at Coopers and I hope we will stay in touch in the future. I wish you all the best for your new adventure, good luck and a great time in Sweden.
Hope to see you soon.
All the best, Serkan
Samu
Dilan was a sympathetic and dear colleague. Despite the short time together, we had fun and I enjoyed working with her very much. I wish her only the best in Sweden! See you very soon!
Herolinda
Dear Dilan, thank you so much for the warm welcome in the team. I really appreciated your helpful nature and never felt like the "new one". Even though we only had a short time together at Coopers, you will always be part of my Coopers story. All the best in Sweden!
Jessica
We experienced so much together! From parties with welcome shots, to vacations in Amsterdam, to mud fights in Frauenfeld.
Our friendship has survived your move to Biel, Sweden is only a small obstacle ????. I will miss you!
_1.svg)