How does an experience in the energy industry translate to a more effective recruitment process for clients in the energy industry? For our first Professionals for Professionals interview, we have gladly invited one of our recruiters for Europe: Gabriela Cristea. Gabriela has an extensive background in the maritime sector, an industry where she did not expect to work when she first graduated university. Today, she is part of the European recruitment team based in Romania. We sat with her to chat about her background and the transferrable skills from maritime to recruitment she uses today.

Q1: Tell us a bit about yourself and your background.

My name is Gabriela Cristea and I have first started my working days as a crewing operator in the maritime industry where I remained for more than ten years. Among the many activities I had to conduct were international recruitment and selection, training, and development. When not recruiting, I am taking photographs. Photography helps me capture anything I feel is important to remember. Photographs have the amazing power to bring you right back to the feelings, sounds, and even smells of that moment. It is an amazing experience doing it in the Romanian countryside. You should come someday!

Q2: How did you first start working in the maritime industry?

Even though I never really planned to work in the maritime sector… you know life is full of surprises. I have always lived in Constanta and since Constanta is a Black Sea port and most of Romanian shipping and crewing activities are concentrated here, I had an opportunity in 2009 to start a junior role for a Romanian Ship Owner. I guess it was meant to be. In this position, I was taught everything from shipping to crewing. From there, the rest is history.

The port of Constanta, located in the city where Gabriela studied and soon found her first job in the maritime industry.

Q3: What is something you miss and something you do not miss from that position?

I feel like the position sticks with me even today as I have remained in the industry but just focusing in other areas. I am still in contact with the same type of people and it is amazing to be the one responsible of placing them in meaningful jobs.

Q4: When and why did you decide to start recruiting?

As I mentioned before, recruitment is something I love doing even from my maritime days. Now, that it is my main task since 2015, I am more satisfied than ever in recruiting and helping people finding a suitable job. I know that I can change a little in good their lives – professional activity, helping also the company to work with specialists and implicit to add value. I also found an amazing team of fellow recruiters here in Romania with whom I get along with really well.

Q6: How do you leverage your maritime experience in your current role as a recruiter, especially in the context of energy projects? Can you share a specific instance where your background in fieldwork provided a unique perspective or advantage during the recruitment process?

When coming to WTS Energy, my previous experience in recruitment helped me in more ways than I would imagine. Maritime and energy are very linked and share many characteristics with recruitment strategies. Everywhere you are also working with people every day!

However, a clear advantage was the fact that in energy projects I handled some recruitment processes for offshore vessels, such as FPSO’s, Pipe Layers of Heavy Lift, which means crew recruitment was a bit of a piece of cake for me when coming to WTS Energy.

Gabriela sharing a moment with her colleagues at WTS Energy Romania’s office in Bucharest. From left to right, colleagues Cristina, Dana, and Victoria.

Q7: As someone with experience in both fieldwork and recruitment, how do you ensure a smooth collaboration between your team and the professionals you place in energy projects?

I am lucky to be part of WTS Energy Romania, working with experienced and qualified team members. Within our team member, we share backgrounds that are intertwined with those positions we recruit for. These, summed by their eagerness to place people in meaningful jobs are the key to ensure a smooth collaboration between professionals and our team in energy projects.

Q8: What advice would you give to professionals looking to advance their careers in the energy industry? How can they stand out in the recruitment process?

Energy industry is very dynamic and always full of good opportunities. For talent interested in this industry, the first thing to do should be to actively search for a position. But have enough flexibility when doing so. Also be up-to-date with the demands of the industry. This means, keep on learning and up-skilling yourself so you do not lag behind.

Special thanks to Gabriela Cristea, Recruitment Consultant at WTS Energy Romania, for providing us this interview!