Why trusting your gut could be the best career move you ever make.

When I was in school, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do. What I knew was that I wasn’t interested in maths or anything too scientific, but I was quite intrigued by people. So I went to business school, because I wanted to keep my options open.

During the course of my studies, I got interested in HR, and in international business. This led to an internship where I got to do some hands-on work recruiting sales people for a retailer, including covering for a senior team member while she was on vacation. That experience solidified for me that I wanted a career in HR – I loved the opportunity to really make an impact on people’s lives. 

I had to complete a final internship for my university degree, and at a job fare I really clicked with the recruiter from Allianz Trade (then called Euler Hermes). That made me interested in the company, and I’ve never looked back! When my internship ended, my ideal job was not available. But I really wanted to stay in the company, so I accepted what was available at that time: a half/half position as a HR Officer supporting employees and the Global Head of HR. Slowly I took on more and more responsibility, moving from HR Officer to HR Business Partner, and then to my first management role as Head of HR Business Partners – both regionally, for France, and globally.

I wasn’t sure about becoming a manager, especially because I was going to lead people who had been my peers. But then someone very high up, who I respected a lot and still consider a role model, took me aside and told me that they had confidence in me. That was a formative experience. It was when I learned the power of someone who you look up to expressing their support – and the importance of leveraging the momentum when career opportunities present themselves.

The offer to move came at an intense moment in my life: it was during lockdown, and I had just had my third child. I had received a few offers to move abroad before, but it had never felt right. But this time it just did, even if the timing may not have been ideal. So, after discussing it with my husband, we decided to take the plunge. We had a lot of company support to make the move as smooth as possible. However, moving abroad is always a rollercoaster – not least because we were moving with three kids in tow!  

Belgium surprised me: as it’s so close to France, I assumed that most of my cultural awareness would transfer. But there are three cultures living side-by-side, and small variables can make a big difference. From working hours – in that region people typically start work at 8am and finish earlier, whereas in France you’d be hard-pressed to get a reply to an email before 10am – to the attitude to food, it was an adjustment.

While I was in Belgium, I took over the role of Head of HR for Northern Europe, and became responsible for HR across 17 different countries and cultures. It was a learning curve, but also a wonderful opportunity to discover how many unique perspectives I could get on one topic, just by consulting experts from different places. The HR community is composed of highly skilled professionals in their field, and the diversity helped us build something powerful.

When it comes to a move, support can make the process so much easier. The help that Allianz Trade offered me and my family really mattered in those first few weeks. This is also true in your career. I have been lucky enough to work with some extraordinary individuals. I have learned a lot from them.

Another key thing I’ve learned is that when you lead a team, you are the example. You have to be the role model. If you say you will do something, you must do it, and you have to be frank about what’s possible. Accountability and transparency are key; people need to be able to trust you.

Finally, I’ve learned that if you want something, you should take a chance. It’s rare to get a 100% green light on any big decision – you can never be fully sure it’s the right one. So, you need to trust your instincts and know when it’s time to take a leap, even if you don’t have all the answers.