For me, it is important to develop according to new technologies and professions

Introduce yourself in a few sentences. What does your work as daily commitments consist of?

Madlena Mincheva, Salesforce consultant and project manager. Currently, I work at Bunge, an international company engaged in the trade of agricultural products. In my work, I communicate with people from different teams in the company (sales, marketing, innovations, and others) to digitize their work processes in Salesforce.

In which country and city do you currently live and how did you end up there?

I live in Amsterdam, Netherlands. I moved here in 2018. Even while I was living in Sofia, I mostly worked for Dutch companies as an external consultant and often traveled between the two countries. One of my colleagues, whom I met while working for a Dutch client, recommended me to the consulting firm where he worked in the Netherlands, and that’s how I moved to live here.

What were the biggest challenges you faced at the beginning of your stay?

In the first months, I had to arm myself with patience while all the documents were arranged and while I found a place to live that was in a communicative location. At first, I lived in a bungalow in a forest where a bus passed once an hour. I couldn't wait to move from there.

How did you overcome the language barrier (if there was one)?

I didn't have problems with not speaking Dutch. Here, almost everyone speaks English. The environment is so international that in the teams I have worked with, there were fewer Dutch people than foreigners.

What resources or networks (local communities, colleagues, organizations) helped you adapt?

I immediately signed up for dance lessons and that’s how I met my first friends, some of whom I am still close with.

What are the main differences between the work culture in your current country and that in Bulgaria?

In Bulgaria, it was easier for me to establish friendly relationships with colleagues. I enjoyed going to the office and spending time with colleagues, with whom I later became friends and saw outside of work hours.

In the Netherlands, I see a clearer distinction between work and personal life. Even when there are organized fun activities for employees, not many people participate. There are exceptions, but mostly colleagues remain contacts only for work during working hours.

Another main difference is the work-life balance. The Dutch start work early, between 8 and 9, and finish around 4-5, leaving exactly on time or earlier, but they will not stay after working hours, regardless of whether there is a problem. Additionally, many people choose not to work a 40-hour work week, preferring to work fewer hours and use their free time for their hobbies, for example.

In Bulgaria, my colleagues and I often had to work after hours and work more than 40 hours.

What values and practices in the workplace impressed you the most?

Something I appreciate in the companies I have worked for in the Netherlands is the opportunities offered to me for development. In Bulgaria, managers limited my career development with the explanation that I was not ready for the next level. In the Netherlands, they give me additional tasks and responsibilities that help me develop and acquire new skills.

Have there been situations where cultural differences hindered you?

There have been moments of differences, but I wouldn't say there were problems as a result of these differences. I had the freedom to work in the way I decided, as long as the result was what was expected.

How does finding a job differ in your current country compared to your homeland?

When I was looking for a job abroad in 2018 while still living in Bulgaria, no one called me even for an interview. I found my first job through a recommendation in a large consulting firm that is always looking for employees.

After I moved to the Netherlands, I started receiving many calls. I was looking for jobs on LinkedIn. In Bulgaria, I mainly used Jobs.bg. The interview process is identical in both countries.

Did you have to go through any additional qualification courses?

In the consulting firm where I initially worked in the Netherlands, taking new certifications was encouraged, but I would say this applies not only to the Netherlands but is valid for companies engaged in Salesforce.

Have you encountered prejudices or obstacles due to your foreign origin?

I haven't experienced that. Amsterdam is a very diverse city in terms of nationalities living here. When I have found myself in an environment where there were mostly Dutch people, they always accommodated and started speaking English all the time to be understood.

What would you advise people who want to take a similar step?

If they have the opportunity, to thoroughly research the country they want to move to and to spend at least some time there before making a final decision. I notice that many people who come to the Netherlands cannot adapt to the way of life and do not feel well.

If you could go back, would you choose the same path?

Yes, I would definitely come here again. Although I haven't always felt at home, over time, when I started to build my environment, I began to feel differently. And I cannot fail to mention all the opportunities that opened up for me professionally after I moved.

What do you miss the most from your homeland in a professional and personal sense?

In a professional sense, I miss nothing from Bulgaria.

 In a personal sense, I miss family and friends, but fortunately, we manage to see each other every few months, either in Bulgaria or in Amsterdam or somewhere else. My job allows me to return to Bulgaria for longer periods, so when I need to, I go back.

Have you considered returning and under what conditions would you do it?

With my job, I have the opportunity to return to Bulgaria whenever I wish, and that for me is the ideal option – to live in the Netherlands with the possibility of returning for a while to Bulgaria and Spain, where my husband is from.

What do you think about money? What is its influence on your life? What is your advice to people who often ask themselves questions related to money and how sufficient they are?

Money gives me peace of mind first and foremost. I definitely appreciate the fact that at the moment I have no worries about whether I will be able to cover my rent and bills. Besides that, I can afford to go out and try different activities, to travel, which helps me recharge after intense periods at work.

On the other hand, I make sure to save some amount every month and invest in personal and career development, as well as in my business projects.

Recently, I don't have that sense of security at work as I did a few years ago. It is important for me to have several different sources of income besides my salary. I am not sure how much longer I will be able to do what I am doing now, and that is why it is important to develop according to new technologies and professions.