Planning Engineers, Rail Technology

Signalling and control technology and overhead contact lines are two disciplines in rail transport. Our client was a renowned engineering consultancy that not only paid above-average salaries but also offered career opportunities rarely found in Germany.

Several sites, four disciplines, 15 vacancies. We had already filled planning engineer positions in other fields and knew it would not be easy. But here, everything was just right. When we got back into the car after the pitch meeting and briefing with the managing director, assignment in our pocket, we gave each other a virtual high five and were over the moon.

We were sure we would fill at least five positions, more likely ten, and if things went really well, perhaps even twelve.

A few months later, we had dug up everything our shovel could reach – and filled just one position. We had pursued every approach and had run out of ideas.

Then came the moment of truth that we could no longer put off. We had to call the managing director and tell him that the project was over for us. We fully expected him to bite our heads off. But what came next surprised us. He said: “I’m satisfied. You’re the best search firm I’ve ever worked with. And I got one position filled.”

My partner replied: “To be honest, we were expecting a different reaction.”

The managing director explained that he had never seen an industry in which people were as reluctant to change jobs as the railway sector.

We earned nothing from the project. Despite the one position we filled, we had put in so much effort that the bottom line came out at zero. But it was an extremely exciting experience with many interesting people to talk to, and I learned an incredible amount about railway construction. That is exactly what I always enjoyed so much about recruiting.