Working at Schulmeister: Interview with HR consultant Jürgen Pintar

What was your application process at Schulmeister like?

It was a few years ago, but I still have very positive memories of it: a quick appointment, then a detailed interview with one of the consultants, including a behavioral profile analysis, and finally meeting Matthias Schulmeister in person. The process was really very streamlined and professional. The colleagues at reception, back then in our old office on Wächtergasse, were also very friendly and welcoming, which made me feel at ease right away. When Matthias called a few days later to tell me that he would like to hire me, I was very happy.

Why did you decide to take this job?

I had just graduated from business school and was completely new to the working world. I had actually applied to Schulmeister for a customer service position as a junior buyer. But then I was offered an internship within the company. That internship has now turned into more than seven years.

Schulmeister has been with me throughout my studies. When I finished my bachelor's degree, I switched to a full-time position and moved up from my specialist role in traditional phone-based headhunting to junior consultant—in hindsight, a very good decision.

What does a typical working day at Schulmeister look like for you?

It has changed a little over the years because I have held different roles (assistant, headhunting, project consulting). Even as a consultant, my daily routine has changed repeatedly. I have also worked at every single Schulmeister location in Austria. I am currently responsible for Salzburg.

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The core of the job is still searching for and interviewing suitable candidates. That means a lot of research (especially in our internal database or via LinkedIn), phone calls, screening CVs, and much more.

Of course, you need a client for each candidate, otherwise there is no match. First and foremost, we have a vacancy to fill—that's the mission. But in my opinion, clients not only need the right profiles, they also need advice and an exchange on equal terms. The first step is always a detailed briefing meeting, sometimes followed by a detailed discussion with the person responsible for the field. Acquiring new clients has also become an important part of my daily work.

And then, of course, there's the topic of networking: events at educational institutions (business academies, universities of applied sciences, universities), but also relevant seminars/events for finance topics (e.g., Controlling Insights Steyr) are a must.

What's great about your job?

Trust and responsibility— both are essential in this job. I can work independently and talk to my superiors in Linz on an equal footing.

But of course, as an HR consultant, I also like people and their stories, motivations, and perspectives. And you can learn something from every candidate! You just have to ask the “right” questions. Asking questions is probably the most important tool. 

Apart from roles and structures in the finance industry (the technical part), you get an interesting insight into what's happening on the job market right now (outsourcing, AI, etc.). That's also something I really appreciate about my job.

And the best part: the matching. When it really works out and both parties agree – that's always the highlight, of course 😊

What challenges does your job bring?

People are different, and sometimes as an HR consultant you are confronted with challenging characters. In my opinion, unreliability has increased in recent years: the issue of ghosting in particular is very prevalent. Trustworthiness is no longer a given. And then there's the job market: 2019 vs. 2026 – they're two different worlds. But that's also part of the appeal, because it shouldn't be too easy. Problem-solving skills and resilience are definitely required.

What makes your team special?

I now know almost all of the teams—and that's something I really appreciate. At the Linz site, the atmosphere is open, uncomplicated, and characterized by strong mutual support. My move from Vienna to Linz was a thoroughly positive experience for me. The team in Vienna also gave me a lot of support when I was starting out and helped me get off to a good start.

And of course, I can't forget the team in Graz: I worked with them in a hybrid model for a year – a time I look back on fondly.

Why is Schulmeister the right employer for you?

In addition to the points already mentioned, flexibility in terms of working hours is a factor that I particularly appreciate at Schulmeister. In addition, my life situation (studies, moving, etc.) has changed repeatedly, and they have always been considerate and tried to find constructive solutions. That's why Schulmeister is the right employer for me – and has been for over 7 years.