This is the first interview in our series — we delve into the importance of building communities in 2024, their potential benefits for members, and strategies for discovering and expanding a network of like-minded people.

"I thought: enough is enough, I can't do this anymore! This city has one of the best Talent Acquisitions professionals in Europe, nobody knows about it, and nobody does anything”, — said Andreea Lungulescu, the founder of TA Crunch Berlin community. 1.5 years later, she now leads a community of 1700 members. How does it work, and what insights does she have for those who want to develop their own communities? Discover in our talk!

Around seven to eight years ago, I was fortunate to be part of Zalando's robust Talent Acquisition team. We built a sense of community in the team during 2016-2017, which gave me a taste of this experience.

However, as time went on, the momentum faded, and then the pandemic hit — the challenges of that time brought me to a breaking point. I became frustrated seeing many of Europe's top talent acquisition professionals in Berlin remain unnoticed and unappreciated.

So, I thought, "Maybe we should do something about it, instigate change?" I broached the idea with two acquaintances, and they immediately said “Yes, let’s do this”.

That's how the journey began. We planted the seeds of this initiative at the end of November 2022. In February 2023, we hit the ground running and by April 2023, we held our first event.

Given the abundance of talent in our city, it seemed essential to establish a platform for us to unite and share our expertise.

So, In short, the idea was born out of necessity and driven by the ambition to bring about positive change in our professional community.

One key issue it addresses is fostering a sense of community. Being part of an environment where everyone potentially faces the same challenges can be comforting.

Sharing experiences with peers can provide solutions to problems, as they can relate and offer help. It's an inclusive environment, creating a sense of belonging. I like to think it's also safe and enjoyable.

Everyone can relate to what others are discussing. It's a space for quick resolutions and a sense of belonging.

It's also a place for growth. You grow together through shared experiences and advice. It could lead to revelations, prompting changes in one's company based on what they've learned. For instance, one member has already secured a job after discovering it through our community page. This is the feedback we receive.

Most of our interactions are in-person. We've hosted eight events so far, with all but one taking place in Berlin or Hamburg. Only one event was held online. However, we're planning to diversify our approach.

We'll be incorporating more online events and varying our meeting spots, which could include restaurants, parks and coffee shops.

Our community is approximately 1,700 people strong.