Don't be afraid to seek the company where you will feel at home

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Aneliya Goryanova-Ivanova and I am currently responsible for the development of the employer brand of Amadeus in Bulgaria, Turkey and Poland in my capacity as Senior Employer Branding & Content Specialist.

By nature, I am a communicator, empath, and dreamer. I believe in the power of words because they not only inform but also soothe, inspire, provide a different perspective, give direction, in a word – change destinies. I believe that one should follow their intuition and their dreams. These beliefs of mine naturally led me to marketing communications and branding, which I have been involved in for over 15 years.

Tell us what are the philosophy and values of the company you are currently working for?

Amadeus creates technological solutions for participants in the travel industry – from airlines, airports, railways, hotels, to tour operators and car rental agencies. In fact, each of us, when traveling, interacts with the software solutions of Amadeus.

The company's mission is to make travel better for everyone, everywhere, through innovations, partnerships among industry participants and responsibility towards people, destinations and the planet as a whole.

To fulfill our mission, we rely on the creativity and skills of our employees. We are curious and always seek new and better ways to work. We are open to other industry participants, inclusive and unite them to improve our collaboration. We are dedicated to improving things. In this context, we can summarize our values as: explore, be together, and make a change.

How long have you been working at the current company? What are the main motivating factors that keep you there?

I have been working at Amadeus Sofia for a little over 3 years. The industry is what attracted me from the very beginning. So, who doesn't love to travel! The very idea of being part of something big, improving the experience of travelers, is inspiring and highly motivating.

I appreciate the opportunity to work in a global team. The exchange of experience with professionals from different countries and cultures is enriching. Most often, I collaborate with colleagues based in Germany, Turkey, Poland, and Spain. I also like the culture of exchanging experiences among colleagues in the form of training and webinars. Recently, I developed and presented training for my colleagues on building a personal brand and storytelling on social media.

In addition, the company offers a very good benefits package. My favorites are the paid leave of 30 days, which I enjoy using for trips with my family and the program workcation, which allows us to work from anywhere for up to 30 working days a year.

If you had to recommend the company to your acquaintances or friends, what would you share with them to attract their attention?

I would tell them that they will feel valued here. They will have the opportunity to contribute with their expertise and ideas, as well as to work with new technologies and gain valuable knowledge and skills. An interesting fact is that the innovation proposals from our employees are not only heard but also patented.

What does your company do to organize a constructive and beneficial work environment for everyone? Should we be friends with our colleagues?

Amadeus invests in training and development for both engineering teams and managers. In this way, their qualifications and professional advancement are enhanced. I have participated in training for creativity and presentation skills. At the same time, I have also led training on building a personal brand and storytelling on social media.

Secondly, Amadeus emphasizes the balance between personal and professional life through flexible working hours, a large number of vacation days and remote work, which allows employees to organize their time effectively.

And last but not least, an open and effective communication practice is encouraged. Regular meetings and discussions provide opportunities for sharing ideas and discussing cases, which creates an atmosphere of trust and support.

Sports and volunteer initiatives, as well as various internal workshops on interests, play a very important role in getting to know colleagues and strengthening the team. This is a prerequisite for creating a friendly atmosphere, a sense of belonging, reducing stress and increasing job satisfaction. I get to know my colleagues during my work with them on various projects related to employer branding and social networks.

Tell us a little more about your responsibilities in the company? What makes you enjoy going to work? How do you cope with difficult and stressful moments?

Currently, I am working on the strategic development of the employer brand of Amadeus in three locations – Bulgaria, Turkey, and Poland. My focus is on social media, media appearances of team members, and participation in events. I actively engage in the life of the company by supporting internal communication and organizing internal events and initiatives.

Daily meetings with colleagues, working on global and local projects, energize me positively and make me enjoy going to work. In stressful moments, I sometimes isolate myself to focus on the work itself. But sometimes I need exactly the opposite – I see my colleagues, my manager, we discuss the situation and look for a solution together.

What work model does your company adhere to – office or remote? What are the advantages in your specific case and position?

The company operates on a hybrid work model. For me, this is the ideal option. When I work from home, I use the time for tasks that require strong concentration, such as writing content, for example. When I am in the office, I use the time for meetings with colleagues. We work on joint projects, discuss new ideas. For me, personal contact is very important.

What have you managed to seriously upgrade in your work during your time in this company?

Working in an international environment definitely enriches me. But what truly challenged me recently and took me out of my comfort zone were the trainings I had to develop and present to my colleagues. This is a completely new area of expression for me. After overcoming the initial concerns, I feel much more experienced and confident.

How important is hierarchy and what does it mean to you?

For me, hierarchy is not particularly important. What matters most is the value of the projects I work on and whether they will enrich me, whether they will lead to positive change, whether I will feel valued and inspired.

What is your career advice for all people who are building a strategy for their professional development?

Follow your true interests, don't compromise on your personal life and health. Educate yourself, become good at what you do. Build a strong network of professional contacts and don't be afraid to seek the job and company where you will feel at home. Success comes with perseverance, consistency, and the ability to learn from your mistakes.