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Mastering the Remote Work Game
Welcome to our interview series where we spotlight the journeys of candidates who have transformed their careers through work experience with Balkan Hire. At Balkan Hire, we specialize in bridging the gap between talented professionals and growing international companies, easing the transition into remote roles.
In these discussions, we dive into the professional stories of these hires. We explore their transition to remote work, their integration into new corporate cultures, and their career growth. Our aim is to provide a transparent look at what it takes to secure a remote role and excel in it, directly from the experiences of those who have achieved it.
Today, we’re chatting to a candidate who is nailing it in his remote position. His name is Nikola.
Nikola's Shift to Remote and Flexible Work
Nikola’s career journey is a testament to adaptability and growth. Transitioning from a traditional office setting to a fully remote role, he not only shifted industries to private equity and high-end investing but did so while working across continents from his home in Montenegro. This crucial move not only broadened his skill set and professional network but also enhanced his quality of life through flexible working hours. Leveraging his transferable skills and experiences in the interview process, Nikola effectively demonstrated his potential value, securing a collaboration that has been flourishing for over a year.
Could you please introduce yourself and briefly describe your professional background?
Hi, my name is Nikola Scepanovic. I have a Master’s degree in Business Law but have worked in the hospitality and tourism industry for the last 10 years.
What initially attracted you to the role you were successfully hired for?
The possibility of working remotely was something that was always interesting to me.
How did you get interested in remote work/working from home? What has been your experience working remotely?
As someone who has worked in different hotels in Montenegro and the USA, I have always been interested in further advancements in my career. When I saw the possibility of continuing in this field by working remotely for a USA-based company, I was immediately interested. So far, it has been great! The flexibility and possibility of working from anywhere are amazing.
How did you find the recruitment process for this role? Anything that stood out?
It was very easy, all info was available immediately from the beginning, Andrea was very clear with what the company was looking for and I saw that it would be a great opportunity for me
What were the skills that you believe helped you ‘’make the cut’’?
Previous experience in 5-star hotels and I think it also helps that I speak fluently English, Montenegrin, and Italian.
Tell us a bit more about your current position. How would you summarize it and what are the main benefits and learnings?
My role is of a Guest Relations Manager for Europe in an investment company that buys and rents vacation properties around the world. I meet new partners and investors from around the world and help them have amazing stays in our properties. The possibility to travel is also a great benefit.
What skills have you improved the most?
I mostly improved my concierge services in other countries, especially since I am operating from a different country than the ones we have homes in.
What was the biggest challenge when transitioning to this role?
Adapting to remote work, it’s not always easy because of the time difference between Montenegro and the USA and also when you can’t meet the colleagues that you are working with in person. But nevertheless, we have amazing cooperation.
Based on your work experience, what would you say to the companies or entrepreneurs looking to hire in the Balkan region? What makes talents from the Balkans stand out?
People from the Balkans have mostly higher education (BSc or MSc) and are fluent in different languages. Sometimes opportunities in our region are limited so we are more open to remote work for foreign companies.
