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"I joined ABB Operation Center in Pilsen in 2012.  I found a job at ABB through a friend at university. That is why I can say that it was the personal recommendation that was decisive."

What position did you take at ABB and what were your first days in the company like?

I joined ABB Operation Center as a commissioning engineer for ABB control systems for thermal power plants. Thanks to this position, I got to travel all around the world in my first 5 years at ABB.

After joining ABB, my main task was to get my travel documents and the mandatory vaccinations needed for Brazil in order, and in less than a week, I was sitting on the plane to Fortaleza. I had a great 3-month business trip there, which I think back on very fondly. 

 

What is your current position and what does it entail?

I'm currently still working in ABB Operation Center, but now as a System Team Leader. The team I am in charge of consists of 10 people, but it is still growing. It deals with the preparation of a virtual environment for the installation of ABB control systems. Other related activities include cyber security, testing of new versions of ABB software, L4 - R&D - development, product support - L3, service and last but not least, digitalisation (eCloud, Qradar, Optimax, etc.). 

It's a job that requires a lot of responsibility, not only for projects, but also for team members. I try to make sure that everyone works on the tasks closest to them, so that they enjoy their work and meet the goals set out in the annual interviews. All this must go hand in hand with customer requirements.

 

Can you describe a situation in ABB when things didn't go quite the way you wanted?

For example, when I overestimated my strength back in the days when I was still a commissioning engineer and decided to go to a construction site in Angola's capital Luanda. It wasn't quite to my liking there. I was living in a camp in the middle of a slum and I didn't feel completely safe in this country.

What is your driving force for working at ABB and how do you recharge your batteries after working hours? Do you manage to combine work and leisure activities?

Sometimes it was really challenging to juggle my personal life and activities, especially when I was abroad during commissioning, where we worked overtime, including weekends. But since in Africa, for example, there wasn't much to do in the middle of an oil refinery, somehow I didn't mind it too much and I enjoyed the work.

Today, it's completely different. I'm mostly in Pilsen, I have a family, we're building our own place and I make sure that my work is separate from my private life and that I maintain a certain balance between the two. And so far, I've been able to do that. 

 

What do you think are the key factors for being happy at work?

In my opinion, the nature of the work is most important, along with the work team. If you enjoy your work and are surrounded by friendly and supportive people, it becomes a hobby where you don't look at the time and look forward to the end of the working day. I would then say having an appropriate salary, career opportunities, etc. are in the second place. Motivation, proactivity and good work results are, in my opinion, related to these points.

If you had to choose one quality that helps you the most to be successful at ABB, what would it be? Can you describe specifically how you put it into practice?

In general, I like people and the team. I don't like to be alone, so I like to talk to people, get to know them and try to get along with them in a good way. I feel that people reciprocate in equal measure and we can always agree or compromise.  

Do you have any advice for job seekers who want to find their perfect job?

First of all, I would advise you not to rush anywhere and not to stress about the fact that you may stay in the job centre for a month while you go to interviews and look for the perfect job. Every company and job have their pros and cons. As I have already mentioned, more important than the benefits and the job evaluation is always a certain balance between the salary, the work team and the job description.

I sometimes encounter candidates at interviews mainly interested in how much money they will get in which company more than what the company expects from them for the money and what their job description will be. Money is not the main aspect of a happy job. It is more of a secondary reward for doing something you enjoy, for being happy in your work team, and this usually goes hand in hand with good work results. Which ultimately leads to a good salary.    

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