Hello, I’m Hanan Hussein, the Social Media Manager at Katrium. I decided to do something slightly different and interview one of our company workers. Today, we have Jon Kalliomäki, my co-worker, here. I plan to find out from him exactly what it is like to work at Katrium. So, tell us, Jon:
How did you find out about Katrium?
I live in Thailand, and I found Katrium when looking for remote, location-independent work. I needed a job that supports a good work-life balance.
What is Katrium’s recruitment process and what is the interview process like?
As a member of the HR team, I have visibility into both sides of the process. Katrium’s recruitment process is designed to be people-centric and effective. We care to make sure our job listings are easy to understand and as comprehensive as can be.
We look for certain personalities and focus on the ability to communicate and adapt to remote work, rather than just resumes. Katrium’s goal is to ensure team members feel supported.
Are Katrium’s job listings found on LinkedIn?
Yes, Katrium’s job listings can be found on LinkedIn, and they can also on Indeed, and Facebook.
What services does Katrium offer? What does it specialize in, and what is your role at Katrium?
Katrium is an outsourcing company and offers several services, including business support consultation, market research, content creation, and HR services. HR specifically handles recruitment and other related services. Content creation service involves activities like blog writing, photo creation, and posting videos. Katrium’s contact center service handles customer service. Our contact center service is supporting one Finnish brand that is connected to three or four different companies. We work with different companies around the world and on different kinds of projects involving many languages and cultures.
What does your work space look like? Any special setup?
My workspace is located in Koh Samui, Thailand. I deliberately keep my setup simple. Consisting of a high-performance laptop, headphones, and a reliable power bank for emergencies. What makes the environment unique is the tropical warmth and scenery, which provides a significant amount of energy, making it pleasant to work from home with views of palm trees and mountains. This environment supports a good work-life balance, allowing me to finish the workday and go straight to the beach.
What were your expectations when you applied to work at Katrium versus the actual experience?
When I applied to work at Katrium, I expected a professional international workplace, but the actual experience was better than expected regarding the sense of community. Even though the team is physically all around the world, help is always readily available via a message.
My aim is to be a source of support for co-workers, no matter the task. Because at Katrium, no one is expected to solve problems alone.
What did you learn at Katrium? Was there a unique experience or knowledge that you got at Katrium that you never got elsewhere?
I learned extensively about cross-cultural management and successfully navigating complex projects across different time zones. Coordinating across global time zones poses a constant challenge, sometimes making it difficult to schedule weekly meetings where everyone can easily participate.
A truly unique and rewarding aspect of the experience is the high level of trust placed in employees. I was granted the autonomy to make recruitment decisions and network/scale projects independently, which is a remarkable show of trust from the company, even from across the planet.
Any key skills to work at Katrium?
The key skills needed to work at Katrium include self-leadership and the ability to manage one’s own work effectively. Working at Katrium, being able to manage your time is important because of the amount of tasks we receive, which require the ability to prioritize what to address first. Versatility is necessary to quickly switch between roles, such as moving from project coordination to a HR task. At Katrium, we see a strong team spirit as vital. The willingness to assist colleagues across borders, even without being in the same physical location, is important.
Would you recommend working at Katrium?
Absolutely. I recommend working at Katrium for individuals seeking a place for professional growth, the opportunity to make a real impact, and the freedom to choose their own work environment. The freedom to work from virtually anywhere is a core aspect of the company.
What advice would you give someone hoping to work at Katrium?
The jobs we get always need people, even if a certain job opening isn’t posted right away. The job applications we receive are thoroughly reviewed and placed into a pool. When the right project for the right person comes to us, we reach out to the person in the pool, hoping they join as a new team member.
The projects we get always need people, even when a specific job opening isn’t posted immediately. The job applications we receive are thoroughly reviewed and placed into a pool. When the right project for the right person comes to us, we contact the person in the pool, hoping they join as a new team member.
That’s all for this interview, thank you Jon, for joining me here today. It was nice knowing more about you, as a co-worker, and about Katrium as a company.
What do you all think? Have any questions about us? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us via our website or via our email. We would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.