HR talent from Latvia, with a career path in Lithuania – that’s how Kristine could be described in a nutshell. In our interview, Kristine shares her personal story, her daily routine of working with non-EU nationals and her advice for aspiring recruiters.
Home in Latvia, future in Lithuania
Kristinė seems to have been exposed to many cultures in her lifetime: her mother is Latvian, her father is Russian, her husband is Lithuanian, and she has also lived in England. However, she has decided to build her future in Lithuania:
“I’m from Latvia and my husband is from Lithuania, so I decided to build my future here. I saw better opportunities for personal and professional growth in Lithuania. The multiethnic and multilingual port city welcomed me warmly, and with a property in Klaipėda, I decided to start a family here.”
The nickname “Enstein”
Kristine says that she was interested in everything as a child, but that data analysis was her main interest during her studies:
“When I started university, a paradox happened: my classmates nicknamed me, a blond, ”Enstein” because I was the only one who could find the answers to complex theorems. I do a lot of crosswords, so my bachelor’s thesis was about data analysis. I was good at it.”
Obviously, the Enstein label extended to other areas of her life as well, as she learned Lithuanian during her work:
“When I started working in Lithuania, for another company, I didn’t know anything about migration and I didn’t speak Lithuanian. Being in a Lithuanian team, you have to listen and hear every day how the pronouns are used, how people around you speak. That’s how I learned the language, just by listening. It was the same in England when I worked there – I was in shock for three weeks and then I learned the language. I absorbed information like a sponge.”
The start in “Marino group”
“My career in HR started much earlier – I have more than two years of experience in recruitment. The decision to join “Marino Group” was a clear and well thought-out one, based on the prospects for career growth and opportunities,” says the professional.
Kristine has been working as a non-EU personnel recruiter at “Marino Group” for almost 2 years now, although the first year was full of challenges and development:
“I can’t sit still, which is why I chose this company after a job interview. The pipefitters, welders, electricians – they are all my responsibility, and at the beginning I had to know all the information: how the testing is done, what to ask. It was all super new and exciting at the same time.”
On the subject of development, she mentions the importance of cultural awareness:
“I need to understand everyone: Indians, Bangladeshis, Nepalis. As a professional, you have to get into their situation, understand what they need. Europe is a different reality for someone coming from so far away, so it’s important to understand their culture, to be open, to give advice, to be like a guide in Europe.
One candidate from India told me: “You are communicating with us on the same level, not as a boss.” Back in England, working with people of different nationalities, I realised that all people are different and you need to understand them fully. It’s not tunnel vision, but openness that is important.”
Advice for beginners in HR
If you are just starting out in HR, Kristine has some important lessons and tips for a successful career trajectory:
- “Communicate with candidates as you would like to be communicated with.”
- “Keep things clear and don’t mix up information, because HR is a very information-intensive job.”
- “I always write everything in a letter or a text message, so no one is confused.”
- “Time is money, so if using technology can save time, I always do it. For example, when AI came along, I turned my phone into a virtual assistant that works 24 hours a day. Not a single question from a candidate goes unanswered.”
“Marino Group” is about growth
Kristine talks honestly: “I would advise you to take a look at me and see what you can achieve at “Marino Group”: professional development, experience and personal achievements. For me, the company means continuous growth opportunities. Five years on, I see a “Marino Group” that has successfully met today’s challenges and become an even stronger leader in its field.”
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