Boris Wolter
Where are you most likely going to be spotted on the weekend?
on a bike with my family, the kids torment on bike tours through Brandenburg
What do you like to do to unwind after work?
cycling, having a walk and get some fresh air or drinking a beer with some colleagues
You couldn’t turn down a …
I regularly get weak with wishes of my little daughter Emma.
If you could work one day in the shoes of someone else who would it be?
the pope
Are you leather shoes or a pair of sneakers?
white sneakers
What is your favorite song, book or movie?
Song: Talk Talk - Such a Shame Book: 5 dysfunctions of a Team - Patrick Lencioni Movie: Vicky Cristina Barcelona - Woody Allen
What do you think your employees are saying about you when they are drinking a coffee in the break room?
drinking a coffee in the break room? ... always possible with me.
What are you currently challenging yourself with (work-related)?
building up some of the knowledge that my technical colleagues do have.
A perfect working day looks like this ...
when one of my teammates says that he/she has a really cool project
Work sucks when...
the administrative part is higher than the productive part
What is the most important attribute an applicant must have to be successful in your company?
willingness to learn and further develop
How important are formal degrees or qualifications in a time when technologies are constantly changing and evolving?
I don't judge people based on their trainings and qualifications, but what they make out of it and, in particular, how they can usefully integrate them into a team
When looking for potential candidates, is there something that you feel carries extra weight in reference to their CV?
atypical CVs with the courage to widen the horizon and especially the willingness to constantly learn new things
Which three questions do you always ask during a job interview?
1. What has been the greatest success in your professional life so far? 2. What motivates you? 3. What´s your definition of a good boss?
What does the recruitment process look like in your company?
Step 1: Interview with P&O (People & Organisation) Goal: Orga Participants: Candidate, P&O Topics: Salary, Period of Notice, General Diconium/VW Step 2: TIV (=Technical Interview) Goal: Technical Examination Participants: Candidate, 1 Senior, 1 Team Member Duration: 45-60 min Topics: Projects, Techstack, Tasks, Roles, Expectations Step 3: (combined with TIV, same day) Virtual Coffee Goal: Social/Team Fit Participants: Candidate, 2 Team Members (Projekt Team/Core Team) Duration: 30-45 min Step 4: Final Interview Participants: Candidate, 1 Director + 1 Director/Senior Director Duration: 60 min Topics: Technical, Soft Skills, Leadership Culture, Development Options, Salary, Perspective, Onboarding, Q&A
What would make you stop a job interview mid-sentence?
evident intolerance or racism
How would you describe your company culture?
#courage We are passionate about breaking new ground by challenging ourselves, our customers and our partners to think differently and to shape change. #mindfulness We are committed to a sustainable working environment in which we promote diversity, trust and actively support each other. #collaboration Honest feedback, exchange of ideas and cross-divisional thinking help us to achieve outstanding results and to develop continuously. #impact We make decisions, bring things to a successful conclusion and leave a positive result. We feel fundamentally obliged to place our customers at the centre of our actions.
If a really good friend was asking about where you work, how would you describe the areas that shine at your company?
transforming VW from an automotive company to an IT company and supplier.
How many employees work in your department, and what does the organizational structure look like?
25 employees, divided on 3 departments with a) architecture & engineering b) data science & analytics c) data products & business design
Do you work in 'Cross-Functional' teams? If so, what roles do these teams consist of?
Management is permanently cross-functional ;-)
What does the first day of work look like in your company?
warm welcome technique is available and functionable introduction of team & the company
Are there any unwritten laws in your company? If so, what are they?
open and honest communication above all hierachies
Which changes were most relevant for your tech team(s) in the last 5 years?
Introduction of a PDP day: Personal development day. 30 days per year with a fixed budget for trainings, qualifications, participation in conferences.
What does good leadership mean to you?
creating a framework that helps every employee getting better day by day
How do you support your employees with their career goals?
We do have a PDP (Personal Development Plan) plan for each employee, meaning 30 days + financial budget free of choice per year for qualifications/trainings/participation in conferences.
How would you describe your management style?
Good decisions are made through good conversations, but in the end someone has to decide (and be responsible for it)
Of the people that report to you, what annoys you the most?
dishonesty