“Mobility gave me a chance as a career changer”

To what extent does Mobility fit into your life?

In fact, Mobility has recently adapted to my life. I became a father a few months ago and was able to negotiate a working time arrangement that would benefit the family. After four weeks of paternity leave, I returned to work 60%. Although I am 80% employed, I take one day of holiday or unpaid leave a week. In many companies, as a father, you have to work again after two weeks. The option of temporarily reducing my workload allows me to spend more time with my family and support my wife, who is currently returning to work. But that’s not the only reason why it fits. The most obvious reason is the geographical proximity to where I live. I appreciate being able to ride my bike to the office. Last but not least, it fits, because as a long-standing Mobility customer, I identify with the product.

You are a digital project manager. What exactly do you do and what is your professional background?

My role includes a mix of business analysis, project management and operations. Originally, I worked in sales and logistics before studying business information technology. Mobility gave me the chance to get a hands-on approach to software development, which is not something to be taken for granted.

Mobility works on the flexwork model and often from home. What do you value about it?

Our team has agreed on two fixed office days, but otherwise we are very free. This proved to be an advantage during the coronavirus pandemic, as we already had an established working-from-home model at that time. While other companies had to struggle to introduce working from home, that was no problem for us. I now see working from home as the “new norm” in areas like ours and am delighted with the many benefits.

If you run the risk of being available too much or at untimely due to flexwork and working from home, or needs to be?

Trust-based working hours are not an easy topic. Personally, I think that clear working hours are better in order to avoid discussions. In a previous job, I learned to consistently differentiate myself. I’m not available 24 hours a day and don’t work at off-peak times, but when I’m needed, I turn in – if necessary, even during the holidays. I don’t mind. But in general, I make a strict distinction between work and leisure time. The evening belongs to me and my family.

Would you recommend Mobility as an employer?

Yes, absolutely. Last summer, a friend of mine started here at Mobility as a project manager, whom I had recommended. The team came out in favour of him, even though he was unable to meet all the requirements in terms of professional experience. It’s great to see that Mobility is also giving young people without a lot of work experience a chance. That was also true for me back then. I started out as a business analyst even though I had no experience in software development. This shows me that Mobility also looks at the person behind the CV and adapts the role/function to the abilities of the employees.

Does that make you feel good as an employee?

Yes, definitely. And it has a positive effect on the team if you work with people who fit humanly and were not reduced to their CVs during the application process. I think that’s reflected in Mobility’s recruitment of people over the age of 60. Qualifications are important, but not everything.

Let’s summarize: What would you like to highlight in particular?

Flexibility, especially when it comes to work-life balance issues, and that you are taken seriously as a person. I’m not a number, I’m valued as an individual.

First name: Beni
Activity: digital project manager
with Mobility since: October 2015