Vanille Vignal (EMLV 2025): Recruiting Where Her Own Journey Began
A 2025 graduate of EMLV, Vanille Vignal decided early on to put people at the center of her career. Now a Generalist HR Professional at Manty, she finds herself “on the other side of the table”: that of the recruiter. Yet this shift in perspective has never truly distanced her from her alma mater. Job fairs, testimonials, coaching… Vanille regularly returns to EMLV to meet with students and share with them her still-fresh experience of the very questions they are asking themselves.
From a committed student to an HR professional, her connection to the school has never truly been severed. She now returns with a new perspective: that of a graduate who understands the expectations of the professional world and, in turn, chooses to share her experience with the next generation.
Finding Your Path by Starting with Yourself
Choosing a career path also means getting to know yourself better. This includes your interests, of course, but also your strengths, what motivates you, and the role you want to play in the professional world: all of these are guiding principles that can help you chart a path that’s right for you.
▷ What inspired you to pursue a career in Human Resources?
“Empathy and a focus on the human aspect have always been part of who I am. When it came time to decide on a career path, I naturally sought a profession that would allow me to feel useful every day and have a positive impact on others.
It was through this reflection that I became interested in Human Resources. What particularly appeals to me about this field is the opportunity to play an active role in employees’ well-being and to help ensure they feel comfortable in their work environment.
Work plays an important role in our lives, since it takes up a large part of our days, and I therefore believe it’s essential to create an environment where everyone feels heard, valued, and supported.”
▷ What do you particularly like about this job?
“I also love the diversity of the job: no two situations or people are alike, which requires constantly adapting. For me, a good HR professional must know which hat to wear depending on the situation: being a good listener and providing support at certain times, knowing how to make decisions or be firm at others, while always maintaining a human approach. ”
▷ What qualities are needed to succeed?
“I’d say that empathy, active listening, dynamism, and versatility are essential qualities for succeeding in HR. It’s precisely this balance between the human element, adaptability, and the ability to have a tangible impact on employees’ daily lives that I love about this profession.”
On the Other Side of Recruitment
Vanille now helps others with their job applications—a role that allows her to take a fresh look at a process she herself has experienced as a candidate.
▷ How does it feel to be “on the other side of the table” today?
“Being ‘on the other side of the table’ gives a lot of meaning to my daily life. Beyond the fact that I’m now recruiting and supporting others, I think of all the people who, throughout my time at EMLV, helped shape my vision of the HR professional I aspire to become.
It all started with my internship mentors at Nicols during my study abroad experience. They helped me discover a different way of supporting employees, with a truly international perspective. That experience inspired me to expand my professional “toolkit” with new skills and new ways of working.”
Then, during my work-study program at Bouygues Telecom, my HR team gave me a different perspective on the field, particularly through project management, HR innovation, and supporting much larger teams.
Finally, my Master’s in Digital HR and my professors—especially Philippe Spach—continued to shape my professional profile by helping me find a balance between my personality and the skills required for the job.
Today, being on the other side of the table is also a way for me to pass on what I’ve learned. And above all, I keep one thing in mind: in HR, you can’t anticipate everything or map out your career in advance. Every situation is different and requires adaptation. It’s precisely this human element and the unexpected that I love and that gives meaning to what I do.”
A Recruiter’s Perspective
This new role also offers a unique vantage point on the job search process for recent graduates, at a time when job application tools and practices are evolving rapidly.
▷ What can set a candidate apart?
“In the age of AI, it can be tempting to automate your job applications, especially in a tight job market. However, after mentoring and meeting many students in their search for internships or work-study programs, I’ve noticed that the profiles that stand out the most to me are those that break away from this highly standardized approach.
For me, personalization really makes the difference. Showing why an opportunity appeals to you, why you want to join that company, and—most importantly—why this opportunity is a good fit for you helps create a genuine connection with the recruiter. Even a simple application can stand out when it’s clear that it was tailored to the company and the position, rather than just sent out to dozens of companies.
I’d also say that curiosity is a real strength. Asking questions, seeking to understand, taking an interest in the company and the role… This shows a genuine desire to learn and to get involved. Beyond the skills listed on a resume, it’s often this personality, this curiosity, and this ability to show who you are that can make a recruiter want to take things further with a candidate.”
A Changing Relationship with EMLV
Open houses, fairs, events… Vanille was already familiar with EMLV’s events when she was active in student life. After graduating, she continues to devote time to students by participating in job fairs and on-campus mentoring and coaching sessions.
▷ Why is it important to you to maintain this connection with your alma mater?
“Maintaining this connection with my alma mater is, above all, a way for me to pass on what I received there. Throughout my time at EMLV, I was fortunate to meet people who supported, advised, and inspired me. Today, being able to help students as they take their first steps in their careers is a way for me to give back what I received and, I hope, to have a positive impact on their journey.
But this connection is far from one-sided. Every time I meet with students, I learn a great deal as well. It allows me to encounter new types of candidates, exchange ideas with other HR professionals, and stay connected to the expectations and trends of the student job market.
Ultimately, that’s what I love about this relationship with the school: there’s a real sense of passing on knowledge, but also of sharing and continuous learning. Even after graduating, I think it’s important to keep this connection alive and to remain an active part of the community that helped shape me professionally.”
Building Connections to Create Opportunities
Stepping into the recruiter’s shoes also allows you to look back on your own early career differently and reflect on the advice you wish you’d received back then.
▷ From your perspective as a recruiter today, is there anything you wish you’d known when you were a student looking for an internship or a work-study program?
“Looking back now as a recruiter, I think I would have liked to have realized sooner just how important people and the connections we make can be in a career path.
As a student, you often think that everything comes down to your resume, job applications, and skills. But my own journey has shown me that networking and the relationships you build can be just as important. For example, I found my work-study program thanks to someone I met in my sophomore year during a soft skills class. It was an encounter that, at first, had nothing to do with work, but it turned into a real opportunity.
That’s why I’d advise students to be curious, to take an interest in others, and not to hesitate to build connections with their classmates, professors, or the professionals they meet. Every person has something to offer us—whether it’s an opportunity, advice, or simply a new way of looking at things.
Above all, I think that getting involved makes all the difference. Getting involved in student life, participating in projects, reaching out to others… these are things that may seem far removed from the search for an internship or a work-study program, but they gradually help build a network and shape your career path. Ultimately, it’s through all these encounters and this curiosity that you also create your own opportunities.”
An alumna to follow!
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