HR Consultant at 3S HR Consulting
Meet
Cemal Zuhra
I ran into Cemal at a networking event, and was instantly amazed by how much she does. She works as an HR Consultant with 3S HR Consulting, and hearing her talk about matching people with the right teams & beyond just what’s on a piece of paper itself was so refreshing. What impressed me even more was how gracefully she manages it all, giving her absolute best to her work while staying on top of her studies and other commitments. She brings such genuine warmth and dedication to everything she does, and I couldn’t be more excited to feature her!
By Jessica Asher, Founder Socioholics
Oct 2026
5 min read
01
The Matchmaker
What made you fall in love with HR?
What I love most about HR is that it is genuinely about people. You get to meet individuals from completely different backgrounds, understand what they are looking for, and sometimes help connect them with an opportunity that can really change their career.
On the business side, I also enjoy understanding what a company actually needs beyond a job description. Finding that balance between what the company needs and what the candidate wants is what makes HR interesting to me.
02
The Résumé Reality Check
What do people put on paper vs. real life?
“Dynamic” has definitely had its moment!
I think CVs can sometimes become a collection of impressive-sounding words that don’t really tell you who the person is. You can teach skills, but personality, attitude and the way someone approaches problems are much harder to teach.
That’s why I always think the interview is where the real story begins.
The Takeaway
Anna proves that incredible catering is all about convenience, aesthetics, and incredible flavor in bite-sized packages. My promise to you is that after reading her story, you’ll look at your next event’s menu through a whole new lens, where a single bite can set the mood for the entire room.
03
The Superpower
Spotting a diamond in the rough
For me, it’s less about having a secret question and more about paying attention to how someone communicates.
Within the first few minutes, I usually look for confidence, curiosity, honesty and whether they can have a genuine conversation rather than simply giving rehearsed answers. Sometimes the strongest candidate isn’t the person with the longest CV, it’s the person who shows the willingness and potential to grow.
04
The Culture Code
Helping founders build real teams
I always encourage companies to look beyond just qualifications and experience.
Before making an offer, I try to understand how the person works, communicates, handles pressure and fits into the way the existing team operates. A candidate can be perfect on paper but still not be the right fit for that particular environment.
The goal isn’t to find someone who is exactly like the existing team. It’s to find someone who can add value to it.
05
The Plot Twist
The most memorable interview moment
I’ve definitely had interviews where the candidate was so nervous that they completely forgot the answer to a question they had clearly prepared for!
What I actually remember most are the moments when candidates start an interview very nervous and, after a few minutes of conversation, completely relax and show their real personality. Seeing that transition is always nice because sometimes the person you meet after they relax is a completely different candidate.
06
The People Champion
Beyond just filling a vacancy
One of the most rewarding things is when a candidate you placed starts doing really well and the client comes back to tell you how much of a difference they are making.
For me, that is when you know the placement was genuinely successful. It’s not just about someone joining on a Monday, it’s about finding someone who becomes an important part of the team and grows with the company.
The "Talent, Team & Truth" Rapid Fire ⚡
- A picture-perfect résumé with zero personality, or a quirky personality with a rough résumé?
- Quirky personality with a rough résumé. Skills can be developed; personality and attitude are much harder to teach.
- The biggest red flag on a job application that instantly makes you pause?
- A CV that is completely unclear or inconsistent. If I can’t understand what someone actually did in their previous roles, I definitely have questions.
- Strict formal interviews or casual, coffee-style conversations?
- Somewhere in between. Professional enough to get the information you need, but relaxed enough for the person to actually be themselves.
- The one workplace policy every modern company should adopt immediately?
- A culture where employees can communicate openly without being afraid to speak up. Good communication solves a lot of workplace problems before they become bigger ones.
- If you had to describe your HR style as a movie title, what would it be?
- The Pursuit of Happyness - because HR is basically a constant search for the right person, the right opportunity and the right fit!
- The business network where great talent and trusted referrals always connect seamlessly?
- BNI Konnectors! of course!