Vitus Jacob

Why this persona fits the audience

They are a freelance recruiting and employer-branding consultant in Berlin with one part-time assistant, and their current work mixes Claude Pro, Notion, and spreadsheets for outreach drafts, candidate summaries, and proposal writing.

• Age: 38
• Location: Berlin, Germany
• Occupation: independent consultant
• Income: €78,000
• Education: Master's degree in communications
• Company size: solo + 1 part-time assistant
• Years in role: 5

“Structure isn't about restriction; it's about creating the space for genuine creativity and impact.”

Vitus Jacob, 38, is a seasoned freelance recruiting and employer-branding consultant based in Berlin. Holding a Master's degree in Communications, he transitioned into independent consulting five years ago after a stint at a mid-sized agency, seeking greater autonomy and the ability to shape his own professional trajectory. His current income of €78,000 reflects his niche expertise and the value he brings to startups navigating the competitive talent landscape. Vitus operates with a lean structure, supported by one part-time assistant, Emma, who manages administrative tasks and initial candidate outreach. His professional toolkit is a deliberate mix: Claude Pro for generating and refining communication drafts, Notion for comprehensive project management and candidate tracking, and spreadsheets for detailed analysis and reporting. This combination allows him to maintain a high level of organization and efficiency, crucial for his client-facing role. Vitus is driven by a strong desire for independence and professionalism, valuing structured processes that enable continuous learning. He recently decided to invest more heavily in AI-assisted writing tools like Claude Pro, recognizing their potential to scale his outreach efforts without compromising quality, a move that has streamlined his proposal writing and candidate summary generation. He is also actively exploring new CRM functionalities within Notion to better manage his growing client pipeline. His approach to work is characterized by meticulous planning and a deep dive into understanding each client's unique employer brand needs. He sees his role not just as a recruiter, but as a strategic partner helping companies attract and retain top talent in a dynamic market. This focus on long-term value and professional integrity defines his consulting practice and guides his business decisions.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Vitus's typical weekday begins around 7:00 AM with a strong black coffee and a quick scan of industry news. He dedicates the next three hours to focused work, often drafting outreach campaigns or refining candidate summaries using Claude Pro and Notion. Around 10:30 AM, he has a brief sync with Emma to review tasks and priorities. The afternoon is usually filled with client calls, proposal writing, or market research. He takes a break for a cycling ride through Tiergarten or along the Spree if the weather permits. Evenings are for dinner with his girlfriend, followed by language learning or reading. He aims to disconnect from work by 8:00 PM.

Lifestyle

Vitus lives in a shared apartment in Kreuzberg, Berlin, with his girlfriend and their cat. He prioritizes a structured routine, dedicating mornings to focused work and afternoons to client calls or research. He's an avid cyclist, using his bike for both commuting and weekend exploration of Brandenburg's countryside. Coffee is a ritual; he enjoys discovering new artisanal roasters. While not overly social, he maintains a close circle of friends and attends industry meetups sporadically. Financial prudence is key; he meticulously tracks expenses and saves for future investments, valuing long-term security over immediate gratification.

Work life

Vitus thrives on the autonomy of his freelance consulting business, specializing in recruiting and employer branding for tech startups. His days are a blend of strategic planning, client communication, and hands-on execution. He relies heavily on Claude Pro for drafting initial outreach messages and refining candidate profiles, using Notion for organizing client projects and candidate pipelines, and spreadsheets for tracking progress and generating reports. His part-time assistant, Emma, handles administrative tasks and initial candidate screening, freeing Vitus to focus on high-level strategy and client relationships. The pressure to consistently deliver results for his clients is ever-present, driving his meticulous approach.

Relationships

Vitus shares his life with his girlfriend, Lena, a graphic designer, with whom he discusses work challenges and life goals. He maintains a professional network primarily through LinkedIn and occasional industry events, valuing connections with founders and HR professionals. His part-time assistant, Emma, is a reliable collaborator, though their interactions are strictly professional.

How they decide

Vitus approaches decisions methodically. He gathers information, weighs pros and cons, and often seeks structured data before committing. For work-related tools or strategies, he researches extensively, comparing features and potential impacts on efficiency. He values logic and demonstrable results over hype or peer pressure.

How they sound

Vitus speaks with a clear, measured cadence, often using precise language. He avoids slang and overly casual expressions, maintaining a professional tone even in informal settings. His German is fluent and articulate, with a slight academic inflection. When discussing work, he tends to be analytical and data-driven, preferring to explain processes and outcomes logically. He rarely expresses strong emotions openly, opting for reasoned explanations.