Trafigura Carine is an efficient, dynamic and enthusiastic HR with an extensive previous experience within major trading companies. She inspires, by her “can do” attitude and her business oriented state of mind. Her excellent understanding of the trading world made her a key player.
What is the best moment you can remember in your career?
The best one was probably when I coached a manager and it finally changed the way he was working. In the HR function it is not always easy to see the result of your work. You will see easily when things are going wrong but not necessarily when things are going right. I really enjoyed supporting this young manager and getting him to succeed.
If you had to give just one piece of advice to a junior starting his career, what would it be?
The key is to be curious and to try to have a good understanding of the people, the environment and the challenges within the company you work for. You have to prove your adaptability and be able to perform at any stage of the HR process you are involved in. It is also a matter of communication: you should explaining what you are doing to your managers. They should understand that you are there to make day to day life easier. You have to gain credibility and speak the same language. So don’t be afraid to ask questions and talk with the person you work for.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and talk with the person you work for.
Do you have a Motto/Lucky charm?
“Il n’y a de constant que le changement” – Confucius. Nothing is fixed, everything changes, always. It is like expecting the unexpectable. Facing change with a certain agility and maintaining one’s objective. It is crucial to understand why your environment is changing and which skills you have to develop to adapt. It is also a matter of generation. Nowadays, we all know that we will not spend 20 years in the same company nor even in the same sector. It is all about stabilizing things that are in movement.
What are your main criteria when recruiting people?
Emotionnal intelligence is a major point for me, even more than technical skills. You can learn some hard skills, but the way you understand and behave with people, it is within you. This sensibility is also a way of being flexible and adaptable in a company.
How do you think the HR function will evolve in the near future?
I think HR departments will get closer and closer to the managers. They have to initiate this step, to really act as business partners. The main evolution will be the use of external providers for administrative and recruitment tasks, keeping HR for the internal added value.
In your opinion, what is the main skill a good trader should have?
Calm, cool-blooded and with strong analytical skills to be able to make decisions. He has to be technical, but possess solid field experience too. To me, a good trader is also an excellent communicator and a great networker. They have to spread good energy within their teams and to have a solid business network outside
How could you qualify your relation with Ampersand World?
The staff at Ampersand World are always helpful when you need them and always appropriate in their research. They just send you the “crème de la crème” without wasting your time by sending you too many profiles. I particularly appreciate their innovation capacities and this willingness to try new things. It is a one of its kind company in Geneva…
