TALENT TALK with Kim Eggers – Head of People Operations, STATISTA

Kim Eggers is Head of People Operations at Statista. Her path led her through roles at GetYourGuide, Conversant, and Quantilope before joining Statista, where she now leads a team of 11 people. In addition to her HR role, she has been a certified Mental Health First Aider since 2020 – a topic she actively integrates into her leadership. In this TALENT TALK, she speaks about balancing mental health with ambitious careers, shares tips on choosing the right employer, explains what she looks for in young professionals, and reflects on the role mentoring has played in her career.

QUESTION 1: WORK-LIFE BALANCE VS. CAREER AMBITIONS

Niki: “Kim, how can mental health go hand in hand with an ambitious career path?”

Kim: “It’s a double-edged sword. At the start of your career, people often tell you: say yes to all challenges and go all in. But the truth is, you need to say yes to the right things – not to everything at once. If you work yourself into burnout by your mid-30s, it’s simply not worth it.” – Career is a marathon, not a sprint.

💡 KIM’S TIPS:

• Be clear about your values and what drives you. Pay attention to your energy levels: What gives you motivation and energy? What drains it?

• Experiment! There is no perfect roadmap. Use opportunities to reinvent and challenge yourself. That’s how you learn what motivates you and what feels right.

• Say a conscious “yes” to projects that help you grow and energize you.

QUESTION 2: CHOOSING THE RIGHT EMPLOYER

Niki: “What advice do you give young professionals when choosing an employer?”

Kim: “For me, the key questions have always been: Can I stand behind the product and the vision? Is it morally and ethically sound? And do I have a good gut feeling?”

💡 KIM’S TIPS FOR CHOOSING AN EMPLOYER:

• Product & Vision: Make sure you can genuinely identify with them.

• Ask your smart questions in the job interviews: Why are you here? What are the top 3 reasons people stay? What challenges exist? What expectations will be placed on me?

• Vibe Check: Chemistry matters! How does it feel with the manager and team in person? Visit the office and see the atmosphere before deciding.

• No rash decisions: Don’t just accept any offer. Starting with a bad feeling is never worth it.

  
  

💡 Stay tuned: Our upcoming career blog article “The Perfect Job Interview” includes a free guide where you’ll learn:

• how to prepare for companies and common interview questions,

• which smart questions reveal the most valuable insights,

• and how to position yourself as the candidate of choice.

👉 With this, you’ll be perfectly equipped to land your dream job!

QUESTION 3: TOP 3 QUALITIES IN YOUNG TALENTS

Niki: “What are the top three qualities you look for in young talents?”

Kim: “For me, it’s all about personality and drive. Whether someone already has experience is secondary. What matters most is curiosity and the willingness to soak everything up like a sponge. Don’t be a passenger – take the wheel yourself.”

💡 WHAT KIM LOOKS FOR IN YOUNG TALENTS:

• Drive & Motivation: eagerness to learn and take initiative.

• Attention to Detail: precision and accuracy, especially in operations.

• Empathy & Team Fit: trust, authenticity, and respectful collaboration.

👉 When young professionals bring “too much drive” – wanting to skip the basics and jump straight into the big strategic topics – Kim sets realistic expectations:“Transparency is key. I don’t promise what isn’t possible. But those who perform well will always find many opportunities and support with us.”

QUESTION 4: THE ROLE OF MENTORING

Niki: “What role has mentoring played in your career?”

Kim: “An essential one! During university, I joined a cross-cultural mentoring program. My mentor worked in HR and helped me land my very first working student position. She gave me valuable insights into the HR world, and showed me the many different facets of HR. We’re still in touch today and have become friends.”

💡 KIM’S TAKEAWAY:

• Mentoring gives new perspectives and orientation.

• Great mentors can open doors to exciting opportunities.

• Mentoring relationships can stay valuable for a lifetime.

✨ Conclusion:

Kim demonstrates that career and mental health are not contradictions – in fact, careers benefit from strong mental health. The key is making conscious decisions that give you energy and align with your personality. Those who stay curious, bring drive, act with empathy in teams, and seek mentors early on have the best chances of achieving lasting success.

Thank you, Kim, for your inspiring insights!