Building a career in the field of finance

As an experienced banking professional, what is your analysis of the current situation on the labor market? How is it possible to have a slowdown in economic growth while maintaining such low unemployment?

ProCredit Bank is a partner of small and medium businesses, which helps us understand well the various sectors of the economy. The measures taken by the EU to manage inflation are already having a real impact on the Bulgarian economy, which is slowing down, according to the latest data. At the same time, unemployment in the country remains at record-low levels – around 5%, with the forecast for 2023 being that this number will remain the same. In cities, especially in Sofia, where large international companies are present, difficulties in staffing are increasingly felt, as competition among employers is high. This is why, for us at ProCredit Bank, employee training and development have been a priority since our establishment. Every candidate undergoes various training to be well-prepared and competent in the dynamic world of finance. We provide valuable knowledge and experience to our new colleagues – we teach them to think from the business perspective, understand it, and approach each situation the right way.

How have candidate selection and the requirements for them changed over the past years?

One of the main changes lies in the fact that businesses have started to prepare quality professionals in their field. At ProCredit Bank, we focus on a business model where, first and foremost, we are partners with our clients, which allows us to get to know their business firsthand. This so-called "added value" that we offer has introduced a new set of qualities that our team should possess. Today, some of the most important requirements have become the quality indicators – what is the value system of a candidate, what is their desire to grow, and whether they can work well in a team. Good communication and a rich general culture are also serious advantages that we highly appreciate in our line of work.

How have the candidates' requirements changed?

I’m positively surprised that candidates coming for interviews are much more aware of who their potential employer is. Yes, they are interested in the nature of the work, but this has become a smaller part of their questions. Primarily, they want to know who we are, who stands behind us, and what our values are. They are looking for a serious and responsible employer, a place, and a team where they can get a combination of professional development and an environment that shares their values. On one hand, there is a shortage of skilled professionals, but on the other hand, the candidates who come to interviews are extremely ambitious and smart. Conducting training, both online and in person, used to discourage candidates, but now it fully motivates them. They like that we are with them throughout the training process, which I see as a change in a very good direction!

What are the distinguishing characteristics of new hires now?

We mainly have young, curious, and inquisitive people applying. It might be interesting to mention that we are seeing more and more students who decide to join our internship program while continuing their education. This way, they get to know the working environment in the bank, and of course, we get to know them as well. We’ve noticed that with employees from our internship programs, we build stable and long-term working relationships.

How does the professional path of a new employee at ProCredit Bank unfold?

An important part of the professional path of every new colleague is the introductory training. ProCredit Bank heavily invests in both the personal and professional development of all its employees. The training includes a wide range of theoretical and practical modules – from specific financial and banking topics to ethics, for example. It’s worth mentioning that some of these training sessions take place abroad, as this challenges the candidates to some extent and takes them out of their comfort zone. Gradually, the new colleagues are integrated into the process, and we help them see the real environment in which they will work. Little by little, they begin to actively participate in the area for which they were hired. Of course, with our support throughout their entire professional journey.

And finally, let's return to your motivation in a professional context. What has kept you at ProCredit Bank for so many years?

I work and develop in a field that I consciously chose – it’s what I studied and what I’ve been doing for over 20 years. I enjoy constantly receiving new challenges and different responsibilities that help me grow both personally and professionally. I work in an extremely healthy environment where all colleagues support each other, and working with young people motivates me greatly. I love ProCredit Bank, and I love my job! Briefly and clearly – that’s the real answer!