Career Tips from a Managing Director & CFO in the Startup Scene
- nikischnackenbeck
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
In this inspiring interview with the Managing Director and CFO of a biotech startup in Hamburg, we’ve gathered key highlights and practical advice for your career.
You can read the full interview on LinkedIn – where he shares personal insights into his impressive journey (incl. McKinsey, Oliver Wyman) and offers valuable tips for young professionals, from choosing the right employer to the traits he looks for in new team members.
☕ So grab a cup of tea, get comfortable, and let these learnings inspire you.
Top Tips for Choosing your next Career Step
ALUMNI TALENTS: “You’ve worked for many exciting companies and gained valuable experience in choosing your next employer. How do you approach this decision?”
CFO: “Two things in particular convinced me: First, the quality of the future colleagues – they came from top consulting firms like BCG, McKinsey, and Oliver Wyman, and gave me access to the toolkits of different consultancies. At the same time, they made a very relaxed impression personally.Second, it was important to me to work on topics that really make a difference for the company.”
Key Takeaways:
Surround yourself with colleagues you can learn from
Choose work that’s meaningful and impactful
His Top Criteria in the Hiring Process
ALUMNI TALENTS: “What are the top 3 qualities you look for in young professionals to be successful in your team? Who do you hire?” CFO: “Basically, I care most about the attitude. That’s more important to me than hard skills. I believe most hard skills can be learned – of course, the foundation has to be there.
They shouldn’t give up when facing problems but should persist. I look for signs of that attitude in the CV – for example, athletic ambition, a tough degree program, or founding an NGO in South America – something that shows they can work hard to reach their goals.
Interpersonal communication is extremely important to me. I look for team players who have the maturity to engage in controversial discussions without taking things personally or attacking others. I also ask myself whether I can imagine having a beer with that person in the evening. The chemistry just has to be right.
It’s also important to me that new team members bring something I don’t have – that they make the team more diverse. I don’t want a copy of myself but someone who adds to the team’s portfolio. That could be soft or hard skills.”
Key Takeaways:
Determination & drive
Team players with strong communication skills
Diversity that complements the team
Top 3 Career Tips for Young Professionals
ALUMNI TALENTS: “What are your top 3 career tips for young talents?”
CFO: “First, be open to feedback. That was very hard for me at the beginning of my career. I often felt misunderstood or mistreated when criticized. I had to learn to accept feedback and reflect on myself.
Second, you have to go through tough phases to be successful. That may sound a bit old school, but the things I’m most proud of are all connected to hard work! It’s worth it!
Third, speak up, even if you’re the most junior person in the room. Especially then, you’re often closest to the problems and therefore have the best perspective. That way, you contribute to better solutions and gain visibility. Courage to disagree is a strong quality – you don’t have to say ‘yes’ to everything.”
Key Takeaways:
Embrace feedback and self-reflection
Hard work pays off
Speak up – even as a junior
Ready to take the next Career Step?
If you’re looking for a job that matches your skills, values, and goals – we’re here to help. We know what matters to hiring managers, and we’ll make sure you stand out for the right reasons.
Join our ALUMNI TALENTS talent pool for free now and let us connect you with top opportunities that truly fit you. 🚀
