Maurizia is a HR Generalist at Gameloft, the studio behind the mobile gaming hits Despicable me: Minion Rush, Tintin, Avatar and Asphalt 8:Airbone.
Originally from Italy, Maurizia moved to Barcelona to study her Master in Human Resources and here is where her adventure in the world of Talent Acquisition started.
She started her career in a recruitment agency in Barcelona, where she had the opportunity of working onsite at King and, after a couple of years, finally landed in Gameloft. Apart from being a dedicated professional, she also enjoys her spare time in beautiful Barcelona, exploring new bars and cafés and making the most out of concerts and great events that the city offers.
Would you recommend moving to Barcelona to someone who is working in IT?
Definitely yes! After the years of the Spanish crisis, it seems the tide is beginning to turn and Barcelona is facing the tech startup revolution; in recent years the Government has tried to fuel the tech industry, funding efforts to brand the city as an international hub of entrepreneurship, innovation and technology.
Have you seen new trends in the IT start-up scene in Barcelona recently?
Yes, what I can say is that the new startups seem to be far more innovative than in previous years of the crisis, incorporating more new technology and product innovation.
Barcelona is not only one of the most charming Mediterranean cities thanks to the sun and tapas J, but also offers plenty of opportunities that should not be overlooked. It is, more and more, considered to have enormous potential to become a world-class innovation hub for tech startups.
You have been working as a recruiter in an agency and now you are working in-house. How would you compare these two? Which would you recommend to someone who is starting his/her recruitment career?
I think that starting with an experience in a Recruitment agency is absolutely necessary if you want to grow further and become a well-rounded Talent Acquisition professional.
A Recruitment agency is highly recommended for all of those who are not afraid of fast pace, demanding but also rewarding clients, and versatility.
Someone said that Recruitment is not rocket science: sure!, but it is just for brave hearts 😉
As HR Specialist, what challenges do you face when it comes to recruiting international candidates? Any main concerns they have when it comes to relocation?
One of the less perspicuous things that an expat comes across when relocating for a new job are certainly the procedures to move the first steps within the Spanish administration.
Indeed it’s not so easy to deal with Spanish bureaucracy sometimes, especially for someone who, in most of the cases, can’t speak the local language.
Also one of the main concerns they have is in regards to taxes and salaries, that unfortunately are sometimes not in line with more competitive European compensations.
What pieces of advice would you give to someone who is relocating to Barcelona?
What I would suggest is to be fully equipped with patience and not be afraid of asking for help to HR/Recruiters who have offered a new amazing job opportunity in Spain.
Any finally, any special places where to hang out or festivals? 😉
Barcelona is definitely one of the coolest European cities when it comes to the music scene, as it satisfies all the different tastes.
The new trendy areas in Barcelona are IMO Sant Antoni and Passeig Sant Joan, where you can have delicious brunches or just find out the coolest bars in town.
How to not mention the popular Apolo or Razzmatazz if you want to party in 2 of the legendary clubs in Barcelona?
And then in June, don’t miss unforgettable Festivals such as Primavera Sound and Sonar for the tech music lovers.
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