Karsten Kansy

"Continental offers a huge number of opportunities to shape your professional future"

How long have you worked at Continental?
Since 2005

How did you enter the company?
Previously I worked at a major IT service provider, including for their customer Continental as well. The good collaboration resulted in my receiving an offer after some time. The switch from service provider to the customer's side was a really interesting experience.

What is a typical work day like for you?
There are very seldom typical work days since the environment is very dynamic. My environment demands both long-term, structured planning as well as short-term actions that are driven by day-to-day business–I like the variety. Of course, there are tasks that are constantly repeated or administrative tasks that simply have to be done.

How do you rate the career opportunities at Continental?
Continental offers a huge number of opportunities to shape your own professional future because of its size and global positioning. The important word here is “shape”. If an option presents itself, you have to become active yourself and not wait until you are pulled into it.

Which skills are crucial for a successful career at Continental?
Each person has his own definition of successful career–we can't all become CEO. But you do have to bring a passion for the business. Flexibility and the ability to approach problems pragmatically are always highly regarded here.

Which has been your most exciting work day so far at Continental?
That was the first major project meeting with our new colleagues at the time we integrated with Siemens VDO. On both sides the curiosity was as great as the uncertainty, but also always great openness and the joint determination to get a project off the ground–a project such as had never existed before.

Why should degree holders decide in favor of Continental?
Continental is an international high-technology company that reacts astonishingly dynamically in spite of its size. You always have to deal with a wide variety of people and everyone, specialist or generalist, finds a place. And each person can decide for himself how big a project he wants to become involved in.

How important is teamwork for you?
One thing is certain: A team result is always better than an individual result. A well functioning team can achieve everything. Of course, you need not just pure team players but also people who are able to give clear directions and make unpleasant decisions. But good decision-makers are good team players, just in an exposed role.

How do you strike a balance between work, free time and family?
I think you can strike the balance best by devoting 100% of your attention to what you happen to be doing. In general, I can switch off very quickly–my three daughters “demand” that as well–and start up again just as quickly.

How do you spend your free time?
As I said: My family comes first. Beyond that, I try to take part in a marathon two or three times a year and a little bit of preparation is needed for that–and if there is still time, I simply like to put my feet up.

How do you envision your professional future at Continental?
I haven't been in my current position very long and I would like to boost my competence and increase the usefulness of my work. What is going to happen in the years ahead is hard to see today, and so the ability to plan is limited. I think a planning horizon of two years is appropriate. Everything beyond that is optional.