Across borders: How Taylan and SKAN are forging new paths together
Mehmet Taylan Kahraman learned about a job offer at SKAN Deutschland GmbH in Görlitz via LinkedIn and successfully applied. His move from Turkey to Görlitz was still a long way off – but Taylan and the company weren't deterred. In this interview, Taylan and his colleague Rico Hubrich (Talent Acquisition Manager at SKAN) explain why their determination paid off.
How did your journey lead you to Görlitz?
Taylan: I studied electrical engineering in Turkey and came across SKAN on LinkedIn. After two interviews, I got the job at SKAN and decided to move to Görlitz. I also researched the city on social media, which definitely influenced my decision to move here. Nevertheless, it took eight months from my application to actually starting work at the company.
What was your first impression of Görlitz?
Taylan: My first visit to Görlitz for my second job interview was in April, and it was rainy. But I had already done some research beforehand, and I liked what I learned about Görlitz as a European city, as well as about Görliwood and all the historical buildings. It's nice to see how dynamic the city is. It's not too crowded and not too quiet. I like its location in the heart of Europe: Görlitz is close to Berlin and Prague, but also to Dresden and Wrocław.
When I moved to Görlitz, the company gave me a very warm welcome. My colleagues are always supportive. But it's also easy to make contacts and meet people in Görlitz.
You've only been in Görlitz for a short time – how do you like the city so far? What do you like about living and working in Görlitz?
Taylan: Generally speaking, language isn't a big problem in Görlitz. I don't speak fluent German, and it's a complicated language. That's a challenge for people from abroad. But the more I interact with people from Görlitz, the better my German gets.
There's a lot to do in the city, whether you're into sports, music, or going to cafes and restaurants. I'm especially looking forward to the many festivals in the summer and swimming in Lake Berzdorf.
I also appreciate that there are other Turks living in the city with whom I can connect. I'm also excited about the development of the DZA (German Center for Turkish Studies), because even more international people will be coming to Görlitz in the future. Furthermore, more people from abroad will soon be joining our team at SKAN, including some from Turkey. I will, of course, support them as well.
It's impressive that your company recruits internationally. How do you approach people abroad and why?
Rico Hubrich (Talent Acquisition Manager): As an international company headquartered in Switzerland, it was important for us to find the best talent worldwide. Given the specific requirements of Taylan's position, it was clear that we also had to search internationally for suitable candidates. Since our company operates in the medical field, German, Swiss German, and English are the common working languages. Therefore, it was important for us to hire someone who speaks fluent English and also has a basic knowledge of German.
Taylan was our first hire from a non-European country, and the experience with him was extremely positive. Through him, we became more familiar with the complex process of international employee recruitment. Although it was a long road, the patience definitely paid off. Taylan is now a valuable contact person for new colleagues from abroad and is happy to share his experiences and advice with them.
These positive experiences have encouraged us to hire more employees from abroad. Soon, we will even be welcoming a new employee from Turkey and his family. This is a great example of learning by doing. Furthermore, we have good contacts with local organizations such as Well Come AG in Görlitz, which support new foreign employees upon arrival.
Even though you've only been in Görlitz for a short time, you probably already have some favorite spots in the city. How do you like to spend your time in Görlitz?
Taylan: *laughs* Last August, I went to the "Nostromo" club with my colleagues. It was the weekend of the famous Old Town Festival in Görlitz, and I really enjoyed the trip. I also like the historic St. Peter and Paul Church and the many cafes. There are still many places to discover in Görlitz.
Living in Görlitz Working in Görlitz
Text: Europastadt GörlitzZgorzelec GmbH
Photo: SKAN Deutschland GmbH
