A unique job opportunity for dealmakers

Interview: Andreas Benz, Editor-in-Chief of Helvetica Magazine

Cédric, you had your first professional experience at large and renowned companies in the finance and insurance sector. Could you have imagined a career there as well?
No, that would not have been for me. I quickly realised that. Such companies are too impersonal, too hierarchical for me. Most things are decided from the top. You had no direct influence on success. Rather, you had the impression of being just a cog in a large construct.

How did you finally come to Helvetica? 
I was already interested in real estate during my studies. It was an exciting asset class, that was my impression early on. That's why I regularly looked around on various platforms and in the trade press for job offers in the sector and finally came across the trainee position at Helvetica. 

And then you decided to take it without delay?
No, I first did some research on the company. I liked the fact that the company is manageable and that there are opportunities for advancement. The entrepreneurial approach with the hands-on mentality appealed to me a lot.

Has the reality lived up to expectations? 
The expectations have been more than fulfilled. In addition to the entrepreneurial approach, Helvetica also has excellent internal tools, structures and processes / directives that are very close to practice. I was thrown in at the deep end right from the start. For example, I had to negotiate immediately with external partners and analyse the first investment dossiers. So I didn't have much time to give it much thought. Thanks to the close internal exchange with staff and superiors and the predefined processes, however, this was easy to master.

So the learning curve was very steep?
Yes, indeed. I immediately learned what investment management at Helvetica is all about, how to recognise and analyse investment opportunities and how to communicate differently with the various stakeholders, very directly and on a first-name basis on the construction site, and in technical language with the investors.

So you were very well integrated into the daily work routine?
I can confirm that. The job at Helvetica was a stroke of luck for me.

How do you perceive the spirit in the company?
Helvetica is a dynamic company with growth ambitions. The corporate culture is determined by direct channels. There is collegiality at all levels of the hierarchy. And people always try to find entrepreneurial solutions and new lines of business. Even if it's often not that easy in the current environment of the real estate and financial sector.

Has Helvetica's own hands-on company philosophy already become second nature to you?
Yes, you come into contact with this philosophy right from the start. The motto is to act entrepreneurially, to get involved and to form your own opinion. When analysts say left, we often say right. We have our own assessment and view of the circumstances and do not want to rely solely on information from third parties. Basically, we always try to act pragmatically in order to achieve the best possible result. From my point of view, this is also an important learning for the further professional life of the young people.

Were and are there also points that are rather difficult for you?
No, the desire to work independently helped me to arrive quickly. You should never be afraid to ask questions. An introverted employee would certainly have more trouble. 

Would you like to stay with Helvetica after the traineeship and get started there?
Yes, that is my goal. I want to seize my opportunities, continue my education and advance to the position of investment professional, where I can then handle my own first deals and appear on the market.

What do you do when you are not working? What are your hobbies?
I play golf and tennis with great enthusiasm. In winter you can often see me on the ski slopes.

What are your favourite holiday destinations?
Japan has impressed me the most so far, from A to Z: the nature, the food, the cleanliness and safety. Also the structured procedures.
Otherwise, I like to travel to European cities. US states like Montana and Wyoming are also on my wish list.

Do you have a tip for the end?
Yes, I do. A new trainee position will open in the next few weeks. This is an opportunity for anyone looking to enter the investment management/real estate sector.