Talent Expert Rita Moved from Brazil to Sweden

Even through her father worked in the mining industry, Brazilian Rita Cardoso never envisioned herself there. Her dream was to work as a journalist, and eventually she managed to do that. But pretty soon she realized that writing would be better as a hobby than a career.

When she then became an intern at a mining company, working in community relations and public relations, everything clicked. “I loved the experience,” she says. In 2016, she started working in corporate communications at Sandvik in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

“What surprised me coming to the company was the welcoming feeling,” says Rita. “People are open and collaborative, and you have the opportunity to interact regardless of your location and position. I also appreciate the development opportunities I have had since joining Sandvik.”

Career moves

After seven years in marketing and communications, she was ready to learn something new, and last year she changed careers – and countries.

The opportunity to add HR to her professional experience prompted Rita Cardoso to apply for the position of Global Talent Attraction Expert. “The fact that the job was in Stockholm, Sweden was an opportunity to add international experience to my career,” she says. “It worked out and here I am!”

In her new job she supports Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions in implementing talent acquisition strategies, along with processes and tools for recruiters, hiring managers and candidates.

“My job involves a lot of collaboration, and I get to meet different people from different organizations. I’m part of a team that takes care of the employee experience, starting from the very first impression that Sandvik leaves on the employee and providing the best experience on the whole company journey ahead,” says Rita Cardoso, adding that she likes to make things fun.

Discovering a new city

Together with her husband, who today works remotely from Stockholm for a Brazilian company, Rita is discovering all that the city has to offer.

I think Stockholm is a perfect combination of the tranquility of being able to sit in a square and read a book, enjoying the silence, and being able to choose a show or movie to go to on the same day.

Coming from the bustling city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil to the Swedish city, was a cultural shock. “The silence! The nature in the city! And I feel so safe here,” she adds.

But getting used to her first dark winter was a challenge, along with being away from family and dear friends.

Recently joined a book club

For now, however, this self-proclaimed ‘urban person’ is enjoying Stockholm’s many cinemas, museums, concerts, restaurants, cafes and other activities. And she recently joined an English book club.

“I’ve always enjoyed reading, but I've never been very disciplined. This is a way to bring a little more discipline to this hobby and also to discuss and understand different perspectives of the same story. But I must admit that I like to mix it with some books in Portuguese to satisfy my longing for my native language.”

Rita Cardoso has happily found her professional home within mining and to those who can’t imagine themselves in the field, she offers this advice: “See mining as an opportunity and a place where you can make a difference, leave your mark, and be fulfilled in your career. It’s a door you shouldn’t close.”