How did you get your job?
After completing my degree I spent three months in Canterbury, England studying English so I could study for a Masters in computer science back in Italy (the course was only in English!).
During the time I was studying I realised I wanted to get a broad range of experience and decided I wanted to work abroad. I began to work on my LinkedIn profile and got my details on a Government website where companies look for graduates to join them.
I landed a role at a tech company in France as an IT Business Analyst, working with customers and soon developed an interest in Agile values and principles. So I began looking for Scrum Master roles.
With none available in my existing company, I updated my LinkedIn profile and began searching; before long I found an opportunity at Wolters Kluwer’s Enablon.
What attracted me initially to Enablon was their focus on coaching. Other firms didn’t seem to make this such a priority and I wanted to make sure I would be able to succeed as a Scrum Master!
What was your greatest fear going into your first job and how did you face it or overcome it?
Before joining Enablon I had applied the Agile framework in my previous job, but only informally. My biggest worry was ‘could I do this job, could I really be a Scrum Master, a team player’?
I already knew that I needed to be able to speak the technical language of the rest of the team, even if I didn’t yet fully understand the products they were working on.
In reality my teammates were super friendly. They encouraged me to ask questions and knew that I needed to learn. I was made to feel included from the start and it was a great feeling to be welcomed into the team so quickly.
What surprised you the most about your first job?
The biggest surprise for me was the way in which Enablon applied the Agile framework, not just at the team level but at the company level too. Enablon is using Agile to transform the way the business operates, because it is growing quickly. For me it means I get to learn about the whole company quickly, and I spend time outside of my own team running workshops and helping define new roles, it’s a great environment to work in.
What advice do you have for those beginning the job search process?
Start with your LinkedIn profile. Make it as good as it can be. Then make sure your CV is up to date and uses good keywords, in the right places. It’s really important because so much of the job application process is automated.
I also quickly learned that its worth changing your CV to match the role you are applying for. I applied for the role I got at Enablon using the sixth version of my CV!
Can you describe your working environment, for example what does a ‘day in the life’ look like?
A Scrum Master’s working day is busy. I start with a ‘Daily’, a 15-minute stand-up meeting where all the team discuss what they did the day before and what they are going to do today. The rest of my day is split between special tasks for the organisation (which takes up about 20% of my time) and organising and managing the work of the teams. This is what I spend most of my time doing. For example I create content for meetings and facilitate them, and identify blockers and help fix them.
What’s been the coolest thing about your job so far?
One aspect of my role I get particular satisfaction from is helping connect people with problems with people who can help fix those problems. My job is to make sure people are enabled to do their job effectively, to remove impediments. I love the human aspect of my role.
What qualities do you see as making a good Scrum Master?
You need to be a social person. You also need to be humble, and remember that the team’s success is the most important thing. Showing empathy towards others, understanding their point of view is a key ingredient of a good Scrum Master as well as your ability to influence others.
What would you say makes Enablon a good place to work, is it the company culture for example?
It’s a growing business and that means there are lots of opportunities, not only to develop your professional portfolio, but also your personal qualities. The business is always looking at new technologies to help solve problems so it’s a really excellent place to develop your career in tech!