Meet Ana Marija Temelkovska, Our Native Teams Recruitment Manager

Hi Ana Marija! How are you today and where did we find you?

Hey hey! Right now, you can find me in my cozy little apartment in Greece, where I spend most of the summer season. I'm feeling great, enjoying my morning coffee, and listening to some good music. 

Who is Ana Marija and how would you describe yourself in 3 sentences?

It's tough for a Leo to sum themselves up in just three sentences, but I’ll give it a try.🤙 
I’m a girl who sees herself as genuinely humble, caring, and full of love. I find joy in the little things, feel deeply connected to nature and to every activity where I can express myself and my feelings. I enjoy playing with clothes, especially thrifted finds, and I’m happiest around people who are true to themselves and open to deep conversations. Passionate about personal growth, self-improvement and everything related to music and art. There's so much more to me—stay tuned! 🤗☀

You’re currently working as a Recruitment Manager for Native Teams. How did you come to where you are today and what made you decide to join our company?

I'll be honest, I've reached where I am now because I truly enjoy what I do and strive to give my best—primarily for my own personal and professional growth. What first caught my attention about our company was the tone of voice. It reflected the kind of positive and engaging workplace I was excited to be a part of, particularly in the way marketing is handled, from the combination of post colours to the engagement of employees on social media. After doing some deeper research, I found it especially intriguing that the work involves a product I hadn't come across before.

What attracted you to a career in recruitment, and what do you enjoy most about your role?

What drew me to this career is my background with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. I’ve always been a people person and wanted to understand how people think and make them feel secure and comfortable around me. So, I saw this as a fantastic chance to connect with people from all over the world and to build relationships that will last a lifetime.I mostly enjoy hearing candidates' stories, understanding their goals, and then matching them with roles where they can truly thrive. It’s incredibly rewarding to see someone excited about their new opportunity and to know that I played a crucial part in making that happen.

How does your typical work day look like?

My typical day starts with positive affirmations or very loud music while making my coffee, depending on the mood. 😀 I enjoy my coffee in the yard, cuddling with my three dogs and my cat (she acts just like them, part of the crew). Then, I head to my room, always trying to create a nice atmosphere for working, and dive into my tasks. Every workday for me is different, but it all revolves around my candidates: tracking their progress, reviewing CVs, conducting interviews, making job offers, and communicating with my lovely team.

I tend to finish the interviews at least an hour before the end of the workday so I can focus on administrative tasks like taking interview notes or sending out new interview invitations. Throughout my workday, music definitely keeps me focused. It's interesting how my choice of background tunes varies with the day's tasks. Sometimes I listen to jazz, other times podcasts or even live concerts. Most of the time, though, I vibe with Flavour Trip (if you know, you know).

How would you describe our company culture, and how does it influence your recruitment strategy?

That's a very interesting question. Our company is definitely focused on inclusivity, healthy collaboration, and continuous growth. We prioritize our employees' well-being, encourage open and honest communication, and create an environment where everyone feels safe, happy, valued, and heard. This positive culture really shapes how I approach recruitment. When I'm hiring, I look for people who will not only excel and be successful in their roles but also could blend easily with our culture. We want people who are humble, eager to learn, who are not afraid to take risks, and who bring fresh perspectives. We are always open to hearing new ideas and new ways or solutions that can help us become even more successful, and we believe that everyone has something valuable to bring to the table.

How do you see the role of technology in the future of recruitment?

We can definitely see that AI plays a significant role today, which is exciting but also a bit overwhelming. We have tools like AI that quickly process resumes or similar things. But for roles like mine, where making personal connections and understanding people are key, I don’t think AI can fully replace the human touch. Sure, AI can speed up the hiring process and make things more efficient, but it can’t truly connect with people on a personal level and build genuine relationships. In my view, technology should help us do our jobs better, BUT not take over entirely.

Can you share your best and worst moments during your interviews with candidates?

Being a recruiter is definitely super cool but also very challenging. If I said I haven’t had any tough experiences, I’d be lying for sure, but I'd like to focus on the positive ones always. I don’t have a specific moment, but when candidates tell me at the end of an interview that I’ve helped ease their anxiety and made their experience with our company a positive one, that feeling stays with me for a loooong time. It’s a constant reminder of how much I love my job.

P.S. Don’t smoke cigarettes during your interview! That’s so not cool! 😀

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work, I'm a professional dancer. To be honest, over the past year, I've been doing it more as a hobby, but I'm proud to say that I've been dancing professionally since I was 9 years old. So besides me freestyling in my room with my headphones, I love expressing myself through photography, video shoots, makeup, and fashion. I enjoy rollerblading, meditating, and lately, making rings. I love trying new creative things, and sometimes it's even hard to decide where to focus my attention, which also can be a good and a bad thing if you think about it. Haha 😀

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

If I could choose one thing that I knew would come true, it would be to ensure a beautiful life for those in greatest need and to find loving homes for all the stray animals, because they are a pure example of genuine love.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career?

The most valuable lesson I've learned as a recruiter in an international company is the importance of being patient, empathetic, and adaptable to different people. Working with candidates from various backgrounds has shown me that everyone has unique perspectives and communication styles.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to become part of Native Teams?

If you're thinking about joining Native Teams make sure to be yourself because we appreciate people who are genuine and real. Having a positive attitude is important because it helps keep the energy up in the team. We value ambition, so if you’re driven and eager to grow, that’s a big plus. Most importantly, please make sure that you enjoy what you do because passion is what drives us all.