"One day I had to make a decision to move from my export sales position with Schlumberger—a very operational job—into recruiting—a functional job…After some time, I realized how operational recruiting really is!"

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Sophie Roche

Born in Paris, 1969

Master of Business Administration

Ecole de Praticiens du Commerce International
ESSEC Groupe, France

Fields of work

Export Sales, marketing, recruitment

Areas of interest outside work

Hiking, backpacking, skiing, reading about ancient civilisations, traveling

During my last year of study in business and administration, we had a great lecture from a commercial director of a French multinational telecommunications company, who explained the decision process in business-to-business trade—projects which often contribute to the development of countries. I came away with the sense that industrial marketing in a B to B environment was more serious than consumer marketing. When I graduated, I took a position as an export sales manager with a telecoms company and later became a field marketing manager. After several years with this company, I joined Schlumberger Test & Transactions in export sales.

With all of that in my background, one day I had to make a decision to move from my export sales position with Schlumberger—a very operational job—into recruiting—a functional job. It was one of the biggest challenges I’ve had, and I chose to make the move. After some time, I realized how operational recruiting really is!

In my current position as Global Service manager with Schlumberger Network Solutions (SNS), my focus is to ensure that we deliver a consistent level of service to a global customer. SNS is a "people business." We need to remember that there are two ways of measuring quality of delivered services: perceived quality and actual quality. My recruiting background greatly helps me to understand how, in addition to technical skills, communications and personal soft skills are key to our success.

I enjoy international travel, and my career has enhanced my opportunity to do this. So far, I have traveled either for business or leisure to the Middle East; Central and East Asia; Russia, the Baltic countries and elsewhere in Europe; the United States (including Alaska); Canada; and a number of African countries. I especially like meeting new people and experiencing new environments and cultures.

To a woman entering a career, my advice is to behave as naturally as possible. Do not be on the defensive when you are surrounded by men at work. A typical "woman day" will probably be longer than a "man day" because of after-work worries. Therefore, spare some energy for after work!