My unusual career journey and a 1st anniversary

In the summer of 2009, I was trying to enter the workforce in a struggling Ukrainian job market with a bachelor's degree in interior design. There were no paid jobs in the industry for young and inexperienced people like me. The only place making money at that time was sales, so I ended up working in an electronics retail store. And that is where my passion for new technologies developed.

Who remembers 2009? There was a boom in consumer electronics - the choice of cell phones was huge, and touchscreen smartphones were still contending for their current position. I’ve visited countless brand training sessions as companies fought for 1st place in the market every quarter. Long story short, retail work soon transformed into service and administration and later into teaching, but I have never forgotten about tech. 

As an ESL teacher in China, I chose to teach at a design and technology institution. I always kept my eye on industry development, and at some point, I decided that technology was where I saw my future self. Learning to code turned me on even more, but I didn’t want to be a developer. Something else was waiting for me - as I knew that I wanted to work with people.

Joining the tech industry as a recruiter

When I was looking for my next career move, I knew I wanted to find a well-organized company with a friendly atmosphere. Maxima caught my eye because it seemed to embody those qualities. I remember thinking that 10 years ago, "organized" meant working under strict management, but Maxima seemed different. What really sold me on the company was the opportunity to be useful, particularly in helping people find their next job.

When I had my interview with the European CEO, Patrick Jamal, his warm and friendly demeanor immediately put me at ease. In my previous job searches, interviews were always extremely stressful, but Maxima was different. The fact that they decided to hire me quite soon after the interview gave me another confidence boost and made me feel valued.

The first months in a new role and a new team

During my first few months as a junior recruiter, I was tasked with reviewing job descriptions and sourcing suitable candidates for our clients. It was a new and exciting challenge, and I was eager to improve my skills. Thanks to the guidance and support of our Recruitment Manager, Aldona Milej, I quickly adapted and learned new tools and techniques required for the role. As a result, I was able to progress to a regular specialist in a relatively short time of 3 months. 

One of the key factors that contributed to my success was the culture of collaboration and learning within the team. My colleagues were always willing to share their expertise and offered advice whenever I needed it. They were as supportive and encouraging as they had promised during my interview.

In fact, the team culture was so empowering that even when I encountered setbacks or failures, I didn't feel discouraged. It was a truly fulfilling experience to work with such a supportive and collaborative team.

Quick and unexpected career path change

As a junior recruiter, I had the opportunity to showcase my skills and passion for excellence within the company. After six months of working in the recruitment role, my ability to learn quickly and establish connections with people prompted the management to offer me the opportunity to interview for a position on the newly-formed account management team.

I was highly anxious about the interview, but with the support of my colleagues and mentors, I was able to secure the role. Today, I am the client experience lead responsible for supporting our team of consultants, ensuring they’re equipped with the tools and resources needed to deliver excellent service to our clients. I am also in continuous communication with our clients to ensure that their needs are met and that they are satisfied with Maxima’s services. My journey from a junior recruiter to a client experience lead has been both challenging and rewarding.

A year full of learning and growth

Reflecting on this past year, I’ve learned so much about myself and the company that I work for. One thing that I’m particularly grateful for is the trust and support that I’ve received from my colleagues and superiors. Through this journey, I’ve learned to appreciate the changes that come my way, as they often lead to improvement. In fact, I believe that it’s never too late to learn something new, and I’m still excited about what’s to come.

Looking ahead, my goal for 2023 is to continue helping Maxima achieve its business goals. For anyone considering a new opportunity, I’d encourage you to trust your gut and those around you. While it may be scary to go on a new path, you may regret it for the rest of your life if you don’t take this leap.

I took it, and here I am - celebrating my first anniversary at Maxima Consulting in the role I enjoy and with people who offered me all the support and guidance I needed along the way. If you’re considering changing your job, I sincerely suggest examining our current job openings.