“The Qonto Way emphasizes the importance of quality over quantity”
Discover our Qonto Insider of the month: Carol Omari, Employer Branding Specialist at Qonto.
1. What did you do before joining Penta by Qonto?
I grew up in Trieste, a charming coastal town in Italy, right next to Slovenia. After high school, I set off to the UK to work as an au-pair. The change from a small town to the hustle and bustle of London was a big one. Immersing myself in British culture and bonding with my host family over Sunday roasts helped me to grow as a person. I then took on a sales assistant role for a popular British high-street fashion brand.
However, with a heart full of determination and a mind buzzing with possibilities, I knew that it was time for a change. I craved fresh challenges and exciting opportunities that could fuel my passions and drive my ambitions. And so, I set my sights on a new job and a new city, ready to begin a bold new chapter in my life.
A friend recommended I relocate to Germany. And as an electronic music enthusiast, I knew Berlin was the place to go. Once I arrived, I secured my first job as a Customer Care Agent for a German company, working in the Italian market. After the company went bankrupt, I got another job as a Customer Success Manager for a start-up. This led me to apply for a similar job at Penta, which I’d heard great things about.
2. Why did you join Penta by Qonto?
At my previous company, I felt that professional growth was undervalued and I needed more. Then, I started at Penta as a CRM for the Italian market and later transitioned to the German onboarding department. It was when I landed in Billing that I felt like I found my place. My manager, Darko, was a true gem — he was supportive, organized, and kind.
Admittedly, the Qonto merger was an especially busy period. However, once I joined the CSM Italian payments team, I felt like I had hit the jackpot! Who’d have thought that I’d get to work with Italians again? Adjusting to a new department was a fresh challenge for me. I had to learn all the processes from scratch and adapt to a new environment — fortunately, the Qonto CS payments team made all of this a breeze.
As part of the team, I was responsible for all payment topics: from ensuring the seamless management of payment-related issues to ordering new cards for our valued customers, addressing inquiries related to transfers, and so on. As someone who thrives on solving problems and helping others, it would’ve been hard to find a better match.
3. Can you talk about your internal mobility process?
I’ve always had a deep-rooted fascination for branding and social media. However, my struggles with imposter syndrome held me back from pursuing this in earnest. So when I saw the opening for an Employer Branding Specialist position and my colleagues encouraged me to apply, it was just the push I needed. I read the job description and it was exactly what I was looking for. This role presented me with the opportunity to flourish both professionally and personally.
The hiring process was extremely fast and smooth — after submitting my application, a Qonto TAM (talent acquisition manager) called me and explained the process step by step. Then, I had a first interview with my future manager and I was given a business case to work on. After discussing it together, I received the job offer just a few days later.
4. Tell us about what you do as an Employer Branding Specialist at Qonto.
As an Employer Branding Specialist at Qonto, I get to think creatively and strategically, and to help craft a brand image that makes people go “Wow! I want to work at Qonto!”
My focus is on social media, where I get to showcase the key aspects of our company. I love developing content that expresses the heart and soul of Qonto.
Working closely with our HR, Marketing, and Communications teams, and my colleague Maïlys, I develop messaging that represents our company’s values, culture, and employee experience. When it comes to recruitment, we work hand in hand with our Talent Acquisition Managers to ensure that our communication aligns with our hiring process.
5. What are the qualities required to be a successful Employer Branding Specialist?
I’m still fairly new to this role — only a few months in — and there’s still so much I want (and need) to discover. However, that’s precisely why I believe the most crucial quality for any job is having a genuine hunger to learn and continuously improve oneself. “Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish” as Steve Jobs once said!
I find creativity to be one of the most crucial attributes. It’s what allows us to produce fresh and engaging content every week. Additionally, excellent communication skills are an absolute must. We interact with different departments on a daily basis, so the ability to communicate effectively and build relationships is vital.
Finally, what truly sets an exceptional Employer Branding Specialist apart is embracing and embodying the company’s values and ethics. It’s not just about doing the job; it’s about understanding what the company stands for and representing it accurately. That’s what creates a sense of belonging and motivates us to give our best every day.
6. How would you summarize your day-to-day life as part of the Qonto People team?
As a member of Qonto’s People team, every day is a thrill — full of diverse tasks and projects that require creativity. From collaborating with my colleagues on how to fine-tune our processes, to crafting captivating social media content, I’m constantly pushing to make Qonto an even more extraordinary place to work. Some days are brimming with meetings, while others require me to dive into independent research. But one thing remains constant: the ongoing dialogue with my talented colleagues. Regardless of the day’s schedule, I feel honored to be part of such a passionate and dedicated group that strives to make a positive impact.
7. What has been your biggest challenge in changing positions?
Time management. I’ve found that managing my time effectively has been crucial to my success at Qonto. While still in the learning stages, I was assigned both small tasks and a larger project to work on. In order to avoid becoming overwhelmed, I had to learn how to carve up my day effectively. My colleague Maïlys introduced me to the principles of The Qonto Way, which emphasizes the importance of focusing on quality rather than quantity. I learned that multitasking can be counterproductive and that it’s better to concentrate on select tasks each day. Once I internalized this approach, my perspective shifted, and I began to manage my time more effectively.
8. Which of Qonto’s 4 values (Ambition, Mastery, Teamwork, Integrity) resonates with you the most and why?
Personally, I’d say that “Mastery” resonates with me the most. Continuous learning, growing, and developing one’s skills are crucial to achieving excellence. Whether it’s in my professional or personal life, I strive to stay up to date with industry trends and innovations, and I’m always looking for ways to improve and expand my knowledge.
9. If you could speak to potential future Qonto candidates, what would you tell them?
I’d tell them that it’s a fantastic place to work, especially for anyone aspiring to begin their career in a dynamic, inclusive, and diverse environment.
Qonto’s philosophy puts people at its center: if you value work-life balance and respect for employees, this is the right place for you. Moreover, Qonto is a forward-thinking company that offers a great deal of flexibility, with the possibility of working remotely or in one of its four amazing offices around Europe!
10. Do you have a fun anecdote you would like to share about your time at Qonto?
My first funny Qonto story dates back to last December when I was in Paris to meet my new team and attend the company’s Christmas party. It was my first time in the city, and I felt like I was in Emily in Paris. I was ready for this new adventure!
After a crazy karaoke night singing everything from ABBA to Spice Girls, and losing my voice, we went back to the office for a bite to eat. At that moment, kilometers away from my country, I felt at home: it was like a mirage when Conny opened her locker and a bottle of Montenegro and a Pandoro appeared. Can you imagine anything more Italian?
