1. Tell us a little about yourself and your role at Bilfinger.

My name is Erin and I am one of the HR Coordinators in the HR Shared Service Centre. My role mainly involves the administration and coordination of the HR Function across Bilfinger UK, making sure paperwork is completed, records are maintained and the HR Advisors & Business Partners have everything they need on hand for their day-to-day tasks. I really enjoy working with spreadsheets and numbers but also helping people in their day to day in the workforce, so HR is a perfect mix of that.

2. Why did you choose a career in Human Resources?

I don’t think I actively chose a career in HR, I more fell into it, and am very glad I did! I wanted to work in a coordinator or administrative role but wanted to do something more specialised than just standard admin. 

I knew I wanted to go to Keele University, they had just built a new Business School and as part of that were advertising their courses, and I liked the look of a combined course of International Business & Human Resource Management, based on the syllabus of theoretical knowledge combined with practical application, and that the course included a placement year.

After my first year at university, I knew for sure that this was something I wanted to turn into a career, I loved being able to work with people, the numbers, with legal provisions, and that no two cases were ever the same.

3. What motivated you to move from Germany to the UK?

I grew up in a small farming village at the most southern tip of Bavaria in Germany. My Mum is originally from Stoke in the UK and relocated to Germany in the 1990’s as part of her career. I spent the best part of 14 years in education and just wanted to travel; I never set out to move countries originally.

I embarked on a three month vacation visiting my family in Stoke. It only took me a few weeks to decide I was not going back and that was 8 years ago now. I believe it is written into my DNA that I would return to the UK at some point and live the reverse journey to what my mum did, I don’t think I really had much say in the matter.

4. What challenges did you face when relocating to another country?

The biggest challenge I faced was home sickness. I did not expect to experience this anywhere near as much as I have, and continue to do 8 years later. Not being able to just pop home to see my Mum, has by far been the hardest thing to adjust to. 

In terms of my career, I have found that I experienced such strict rules and expectations growing up in Germany, and everyone in the UK is much more relaxed. The tone of the language is less demanding than German, plans are flexible, and generally everyone is much less worried about everything happening right on schedule.

 

5. What has your journey at Bilfinger been like so far?

I joined Orbital Gas Systems in 2023 as an HR Assistant while completing my degree. Over the following years, I gained experience across a wide range of HR disciplines, including recruitment, Learning & Development, employee relations, reporting, and employee engagement, supporting both Orbital and Thyson Technology, who merged to become the nZero Group.

Following Bilfinger's acquisition of the nZero Group, I joined the HR Shared Services Centre, where my role was redefined to align with the wider team. Today, I support colleagues across Bilfinger UK while continuing to provide guidance on legacy nZero terms, benefits, and pre-TUPE queries. What I enjoy most is being part of a larger, collaborative team and having the opportunity to support employees across the business every day.

6. What advice would you give to someone thinking about relocating internationally for their career?

My main advice would be you don’t have to have it all figured out. There is no correct timeline for a relocation, or how you should do it, just take the step and figure it out along the way. Nowadays, international relocation is really common and there is so many of us out there, and the community we have built is incredible. 

People who have previously relocated will jump at the opportunity to connect, answer questions and help make it work for you. The one thing I wish I would have known before I moved, is that homesickness hits hard. You will go weeks being absolutely fine and then suddenly will be hit by homesickness like a freight train. And that is okay., it is all part of the journey.