At Vinted, our team of Resource Analysts play a key role in keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes. Kotryna, who joined the team in June 2023, shares what it's like to work in this dynamic role – balancing data analysis, forecasting and teamwork to help our members access the help they need. Let's dive into her day-to-day responsibilities and discover what makes the job so unique.<h2>Meet Kotryna</h2>After earning her degree in information system engineering, Kotryna decided to dive into the realm of analytics. She kickstarted her career in the banking sector, working in transaction monitoring as an AML/CTF officer. While the role was rewarding, she was eager to find more opportunities for creativity.Seeking a mix of data and communication, she found her perfect match in Resource Analysis: "Resource Analysts have a variety of responsibilities, and our work is not just defined by calculations and numbers. [We work] with our partner teams and Vinted's internal teams – as a person who prefers teamwork, these were the key points that caught my attention."<h2>Inside the role of a Resource Analyst</h2>As a Resource Analyst, Kotryna and her team help our Customer Support department to assist our members in a timely manner. "In one sentence, a Resource Analyst ensures that we have enough agents in the right place at the right time."One of her key tasks involves preparing calculated and data-based forecasts to predict the number of support tickets from our members and, thus, the demand for agents, then planning staffing accordingly. According to Kotryna, accurately planned staffing and efficient scheduling are crucial when preparing for busy seasons, as training and preparing our agents takes time.<h2>Expecting the unexpected</h2>No matter how well a forecast is prepared, sometimes things go differently than planned, and an unexpected event may occur that causes a spike in support tickets. In those situations, Kotryna and her team work on backlog management so we can help our members as soon as possible.Kotryna’s role also involves a lot of communication with the teams that handle support tickets for our members. "Once we've prepared the forecast and staffing plan, we share this with our partner teams – we work closely with them to make sure agents are in the right place at the right time, ready to help our members."<h2>Collaboration is key</h2>Kotryna credits Vinted's positive and supportive work culture for her success. "My team is a very friendly team! We care about each other, and there's always a helping hand when needed. We try to do everything in a timely manner so there'll be no stress or pressure from tight deadlines."While they share core responsibilities, each team member shines in their own way. Some excel in project management and stakeholder collaboration, others are analytical wizards, and some are great at finding and implementing technical solutions.Beyond her immediate team, Kotryna collaborates with other departments, particularly when beginning new projects that involve different parts of the platform. "As Vinted is always evolving, we have multiple projects, and we meet our colleagues from other departments during our kick-off meetings and while working on a project." &nbsp;

<h2>Tools of the trade</h2>To do all this, Kotryna relies on a range of tools or, as she puts it, "Google Sheets, Excel and Looker are my holy trinity." These go-to resources help her to work efficiently and collaborate with her team.But it’s not just the tools; it’s the processes behind them that really help to keep things accurate and reliable, “We have standardised procedures and templates in place, and we always do our data validation.” For Kotryna, the golden rule remains: "Measure thrice, check twice, cut once."Regular meetings and team support sessions are also an asset and can help review if a forecast "makes sense".<h2>The best bits</h2>In addition to her daily tasks, Kotryna finds value in the perks of working at Vinted. "Vinted has really great benefits, such as volunteering days. I love that we can contribute to our community and use volunteering days to help those in need."She also appreciates the learning budget Vinted gives each team member – "I was able to join a conference in Paris, and I use our Udemy business account to get as much field-related training as I can!" For Kotryna, though, one of the most rewarding aspects is truly enjoying what you do for work every day, "One of the most exciting projects I recently worked on is the Electronics category! It is really exciting as I can see this feature myself while using Vinted!"<h2>Advice for aspiring Resource Analysts</h2>For anyone thinking about becoming a Resource Analyst, Kotryna's advice is simple: "Always ask the "stupid" questions, and if needed, ask the same question as many times as you need. This is one of the things I mention in the first meeting when we onboard new colleagues."<h2>Looking ahead</h2>When it comes to the future, Kotryna's goal is to develop her skills even further. "I'd like to become a data scientist and take on even more difficult calculations!"Her journey at Vinted has only just begun, but with her passion for data analysis and teamwork, it's clear she has a bright future ahead.<h2>Final thoughts</h2>Kotryna's story is a great example of how our team members continue to learn and grow at Vinted. &nbsp;Are you interested in joining a team like Kotryna's? Check out our <a href="https://careers.vinted.com/jobs?page=1&amp;q=resource%20analyst" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">open roles </a>at Vinted and discover how you can make your mark. &nbsp;

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From Data to Decisions: Life as a Resource Analyst at Vinted

There comes a time in all our careers when we yearn for a new challenge. But sometimes, figuring out exactly what steps to take to reach the next level can be tricky. In this article, Nicole van Alphen, Director of Product at Vinted Go, shares her story of how she grew from a Product Owner at a close-knit startup to where she is today. You'll hear unique insights from her incredible journey at Vinted Go and discover some key tips for making the next big move in your career. &nbsp;<h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr">Meet Nicole van Alphen</h2>Nicole van Alphen kicked off her career as a Product Owner at a local startup and worked her way up from there. She dedicated nine years to sharpening her skills in Product Management, spending over half that time in the field of Logistics. But one day, a key experience ignited a spark of inspiration, and Nicole realised she was ready for a new challenge. That's when she stumbled upon an opportunity at Vinted Go and decided to take the leap, joining the team as Director of Products in the Vinted Go carrier&nbsp;domain in&nbsp;October 2022. Now, let's hear from Nicole in her own words about how she scaled her Product Management career, plus some tips for how you can do the same.

<h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;" dir="ltr">It all starts with a goal</h2> I remember the moment I decided to move into Product Management very clearly. It was 2013, and I was in New York for an event, doing Sales for a startup at the time. During one of the seminars, the Head of Product came on stage. She explained the company's roadmap, their vision for the platform, and how they planned to get there. It was so inspiring to hear, and I immediately set a goal: one day, I would be on a stage at an event, talking about Product Management.&nbsp; Throughout the years, this goal has helped me to keep my eye on the prize. I didn't set out with a clear path for how I would become a Director of Product. But the goal I set allowed me to stay inspired and motivated along the way. &nbsp;<h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"> Becoming a Product Manager &nbsp;</h2>I didn't study Product Management. I actually have a different background, with a Bachelor of BA in Hotel and Event Management. But, during my studies, I realised I was interested in all things E-Commerce. Following my studies, I joined a small startup and took on many different roles, including Sales/Account Management, Marketing and even some Office Management duties.Then came that inspiring moment when I set my goal to become a Product Manager. Around the same time, I noticed a gap in the company I was working for. We had a strong platform, but we needed someone to plan the roadmap and analyse the user needs in-depth to align them with the business objectives. So, I chatted with my manager and she agreed I could fill the role of Product Manager at the startup. After that, I took some courses, dove into the topic of product and climbed the ladder from there. &nbsp;But one path is just as good as any other. I firmly believe that a mix of different personalities and backgrounds makes a great team. I also believe in hiring junior team members, as this is how we build a stronger product community together. Since there aren’t any university courses dedicated to Product Management, the field is also ideal for people seeking a career shift. Each person has their own unique skill set to bring to the table. So, a wide range of professional backgrounds are valued.As Vinted grows, there are many opportunities. I've seen Product Managers move from Vinted Go to Vinted Marketplace and vice versa. There is definitely room for open discussions with your team leader about your personal development and growth, and Vinted always strives to find what will suit you best.&nbsp;<h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr">Product Owners vs. Product Managers</h2> These terms are often used interchangeably. However, there are some differences: Product Owners (POs) -&nbsp;come from the Scrum methodology. These people have specific tasks related to Scrum ceremonies (e.g. running sprint planning, creating user stories, etc.) Product Managers (PMs) -&nbsp;have a broader role and are not just bound to Scrum ceremonies. Product managers are responsible for ensuring their product meets the business objectives.&nbsp;At Vinted, we only work with Product Managers.<h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"> Common misconceptions about PMs &nbsp;</h2>My favourite one is that Product Managers are mini-CEOs of the product. Although Product Managers are experts in the product, they're not actually running a company, nor are they the final decision-makers.&nbsp; Another common misconception is that Product Managers always have or must have a technical background. As a Product Manager, you’re the critical link between the business and engineering. So, some level of understanding is critical, but you don’t need to know every detail.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr">Things every Product Manager should know</h2>&nbsp;Cross-team collaboration is vital for Product Managers in any organisation. And, it’s important for Product Managers to understand their users deeply. For example, in our domain, we often travel to package sorting centres. We work with the shift managers on-site, drive along with delivery drivers, and more&nbsp;– all to see our product in action. &nbsp;This means you must be a strong communicator, both with your engineering team and your stakeholders. Think of skills like storytelling (it’s our job to convey the vision of a product, so you’ll need to know how to explain why we’re working on certain topics over others), leadership, and influencing skills (it’s important to win people over in a collaborative way, rather than asking your team members to work on a task just because you told them to). &nbsp;A Product Manager should excel or have the potential to become very proficient at:&nbsp;Setting goalsTracking goals using measurable KPIsIdentifying the core of your user's problems and fully understanding their needsNavigating a complex trade-off between a fast, cheap and good Product Development triangle.&nbsp; &nbsp;Lastly, what's important is product-specific or industry-specific knowledge. To fully understand your users' pain points and identify opportunities, you must understand the space you're working in. Get to know your users in-depth, know the product, and understand your competitors.<h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2><h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr">The best part of being a Product Manager &nbsp;</h2>Product Managers ensure that the right features are built at the right time. They identify the user's needs, listen to the business needs and objectives, come up with a plan to measure success, and communicate all of this to the engineering team. Then, they communicate a development plan and ensure delivery happens on time.&nbsp; &nbsp;Product management is not just one skill. It's about being able to see the big picture and communicate with a wide variety of people in different roles.&nbsp;<h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2><h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr">Interested in applying at Vinted? Here's my advice &nbsp;</h2>Don't be afraid to dive in! Product management is great, and the level of collaboration is amazing. It can be daunting, but I believe with the right mindset, you can do it!We’re always looking for motivated and passionate people. So, if you want to stand out, highlight what gets you excited about Vinted or Product Management in your application.&nbsp; &nbsp;It's also a bonus when candidates are specific and can share what projects they’ve worked on and what their contribution was to them. Building a portfolio of the projects is helpful, as it's proof that you can do an amazing job in Product Management, even without having the title yet. &nbsp;Are you interested in a career in Product Management?&nbsp;<a href="https://careers.vinted.com/jobs?departments%5B0%5D=Product%20Management&amp;page=1&amp;gh_src=4dae07a2teu&amp;utm_source=web&amp;utm_medium=blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Explore our current vacancies on our Careers page.&nbsp;</a>

Nicole

Scaling up: The career path of a Product Manager

Successfully rebuilding a career from scratch in a completely different field with no formal education or work experience is tough. But Tom Slaytor managed to defy all odds and successfully become a Backend Engineer, despite starting from a very different line of work. Read on to find out more about Tom’s remarkable journey into Vinted via our Engineering Academy, and discover how we at Vinted welcome and support our thriving career changers into our teams.<h2>Meet Tom Slaytor</h2> After working as a professional drummer for several years, followed by a role in sales, Tom Slaytor decided to pursue a new career path that ignited his passion. After developing an interest in engineering by chance, Tom stumbled upon an advert for the Vinted Engineering Academy and decided to apply (spoiler alert – he got the job). But switching careers is never easy – particularly without formal education or training. In his own words, let’s find out how Tom got on with this mammoth transition from professional drummer to Backend Engineer at Vinted, and hear the advice he’d give to people thinking of applying for the Engineering Academy. &nbsp;<h2>It all started with an app</h2> My work experience is pretty varied. After studying music at University, I worked as a professional drummer for several years. Following that, I had a job in sales within the finance sector. A career in engineering was never a consideration. Until one day I had a sudden idea for a training app for drummers. Without having any technical knowledge of engineering, I asked a developer friend to help me create it. As I worked alongside him, I watched him work on the code. I was immediately drawn to it, and found myself quickly getting to grips with what he was doing. The problem-solving element was particularly appealing, but without any experience or training in the field, it never occurred to me that this could be something I could do for myself. &nbsp;

<h2>Time for a change</h2> My job in sales came to an end, but I soon realised I didn’t want to pursue another role in this field. It didn’t spark my interest, so I began looking for another job that I felt more passionate about. I had some time and savings to fall back on, which gave me the opportunity to pursue something else. I took on some freelance work in the meantime, and set myself a deadline to begin applying for jobs, or start getting into a different field within a year. This was the springboard that allowed me to take the idea of programming more seriously, and further develop my skills in that area. As time started running out, the more I realised I really didn’t want to go back into sales. I always liked the idea of working for Vinted – it looked like a good company to join. But I didn’t feel like I had the skills, confidence, or experience to apply for a regular engineering role. I almost jumped out of my seat when I saw the advert for the <a href="https://careers.vinted.com/blog/engineering-academy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Engineering Academy</a>, which requires no experience to join. I applied straight away.<h2> Making the cut</h2> The selection process was pretty relaxed. We were asked to share examples of some projects we’ve previously worked on, but there was no strict specification. We just had to showcase the extent of our skills and experience. After that, I had to do some tests and scenario-based questions designed to find out if I would be a good fit within the company’s values and culture, making sure that I had the right soft skills to thrive here. The next stage in the whittling down process was technical. We had to complete a homework assignment in our own time. It was quite challenging, but interesting. I learned a lot from it, and I took it as a good sign that if I found the assignment interesting, I’d find the job interesting as well. Finally, there was the interview with a couple of future team members. It wasn’t as daunting as I expected, and felt like a discussion. Half the questions were centred around my values and how I would react in certain situations or overcome challenges, and the other half were about the technical &nbsp;decisions and choices I made during the homework assignment. &nbsp;

<h2>Finding my way</h2> After successfully making it through the selection process, I was hired. On my very first day at Vinted I learned that there’s a structured onboarding process for academy participants. This came in two parts: technical onboarding, which really focussed on the academy, and general company onboarding. For the first week of technical onboarding, we joined a lot of workshops, and got to grips with the basics. It was all very structured, and we had the opportunity to learn more about how things work, the different workflows, and the programming languages used at Vinted that we were unfamiliar with. After that was Vweek – company onboarding for all new joiners (not just academy participants). We were introduced to different departments and had the opportunity to get to know colleagues in different teams from all over the world. It was a great introduction to what the company is all about – it’s like a big community.<h2> Expectations vs. reality</h2> It sounds cheesy, but working at Vinted is even better that I thought it would be. I’m genuinely excited to wake up every morning and come to the office to work. I was expecting loads of pressure to achieve more or do more in the Academy, but that’s not the case. We push ourselves because we want to. Even with lack of experience, in an unfamiliar system, with languages we’ve never used before, we’re never made to feel not good enough. Many of us haven’t worked in an environment like this before. It’s very comfortable and stress-free. From the people you’re working with, to the projects we’re working on, managers’ expectations, and the way everybody within the company helps each other, the atmosphere is really positive. I’ve quickly bonded with people both inside and outside of the Academy. Everyone is really supportive and accepting of one another. The people and the company culture really make this a fantastic workplace to be in.<h2> Want to join the Engineering Academy? Here’s my advice</h2> Engineering skills are important. But they aren’t the be-all and end-all. To be successful in any company you have to feel like you belong, and that your values align. Stay curious, and keep solving problems. Get ready to tackle new challenges. If that means having to learn a new language, or familiarise yourself with a new paradigm, just dive in and have a go, even if you’re unsure. Take it step-by-step, and eventually you’ll find the answer. If you’re on the fence about applying, I’d say go for it, even if you’re not sure you’re ready. I wasn’t sure I was ready either, but here I am. What’s there to lose? Are you looking for a new career challenge in engineering like Tom? Find out more about the <a href="https://careers.vinted.com/blog/engineering-academy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Vinted Engineering Academy</a>, or <a href="https://careers.vinted.com/jobs?gh_src=4dae07a2teu&amp;utm_source=web&amp;utm_medium=blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">apply here.&nbsp;</a> &nbsp;

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From Drums to Development: Tom’s Journey to Backend Engineering

Changing careers is never easy, and often involves requalifying, battling feelings of self-doubt, and rebuilding self-confidence. Despite the challenges faced, Justina Šiaulytė, has done just that. In this article, we sat down with Justina to find out more about her remarkable story of transitioning from a video creator to an iOS developer at Vinted. Read on to discover how she adapted and used her resilience in the face of this formidable challenge, and learn more about how we at Vinted welcome career changers into our dynamic teams.

Meet Justina ŠiaulytėJustina Šiaulytė is an ex-video operator turned iOS developer. After making the brave decision to switch career paths in her 30s, and pursue her dream career as a software developer, she arrived at Vinted via our Engineering Academy –&nbsp; our entry program and technical induction designed to support junior engineers during the first leg of their career journey at Vinted. How did she get on? In her words, we’ll find out more about her career-change journey, and what the transition from learning at home alone to becoming a team member in a global tech unicorn was really like.The Career Shift DecisionBefore becoming an iOS developer, I’d been working as a video operator in a drama theatre for almost a decade. I enjoyed my job, and the feeling of holding a camera in my hand and filming, but also yearned to do something more creative and less physical. I wanted to learn something new, so I went back to the drawing board.I remembered how much I’d enjoyed programming at school and decided that there was no reason why I couldn’t go back and pursue this. My friend suggested I try iOS development, because he thought it was the easiest to learn by yourself. He lent me a book on the subject, but I found it really hard to follow. Then I stumbled upon a video course on Udemy for €12 and I decided that it was worth giving it a go.&nbsp;Self-Taught JourneyBefore making the switch, I started teaching myself about iOS development at home in my free time after work. I never went to any live courses, and I only watched online courses. I would spend almost all of my spare time creating apps for myself. Looking back, it feels like a dream to be working on a real product now.&nbsp;

Overcoming Self-DoubtMy career transition was gradual. After I turned 30, I decided that I wanted to learn something new, and it evolved from there. It wasn’t a decision that I took lightly. Making such a big life change and moving from a totally different field, with no background (not even studies) in the tech industry was terrifying. I was scared that I’d chosen the wrong career to start over in, or that I wouldn’t be very good at it. I wasn't actually sure if anyone would take me on, and dedicate the time to teaching me.&nbsp;&nbsp;When you start a new career, that feeling of “I know what I'm doing and I feel confident about my career” is non-existent. In the beginning, I felt like I knew nothing – like the rug had been pulled out from under me. Even now, some days it still feels like I don’t know anything, but I always willingly battle through the challenges. It’s a bumpy ride. Whenever I experience a setback, I have to pick myself up, try again, and learn more. This happens over and over again, but knowing that I can show up, push through, and rise up when I fall is empowering. The fact that I really enjoy programming makes the struggle even more bearable. It’s interesting, it's challenging, and it's really satisfying when you overcome even the smallest of hurdles. The whole process is really rewarding, and for me the constant perseverance has paid off.Toughest Part About Changing CareersThe hardest part about changing careers was not knowing when I was ready. Being self-taught, I had no idea if my technical knowledge and skills were up-to-scratch, so I didn’t know when to apply for jobs. I spent a year sending out CVs and getting stuck into a loop of learning, learning, and learning, because I wasn’t sure if I was good enough. If I saw an open position, I gave it a go, but I never managed to get past the application stage because requirements for junior positions are really high. I told myself to keep going, and that I would make it there eventually. Thankfully, the Vinted Engineering Academy was just around the corner.

Vinted Engineering AcademyThe Vinted Engineering Academy was a great way for me to enter the engineering field. There were no requirements for experience, so applying was a no-brainer.&nbsp;After my initial application, I made it through to the next stage, which meant working on some tough practical task scenarios. I found this part particularly tricky, as there were no right answers, but I managed to pass through this stage by being methodical and open with myself in my approach.The homework task was nothing like I expected, in a good way. It was challenging, but we had enough time to finish it.I actually found the final stage of the recruitment process – the interview – the most exciting part. Here was my chance to meet my possible future colleagues, and we got on really well. When we talked about code, it felt like a discussion.. All suggestions were valid, and none were considered ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. I loved this collaborative approach, and I decided then and there that I really wanted to work here with these people.From the approach, to the people, through to the tasks,&nbsp; everything that I experienced during the selection process in my daily role now. It was a good indicator of what it’s like to work here at Vinted.Joining Vinted&nbsp;I joined Vinted along with all the other Academy participants, and we went through an onboarding week first, rather than having to start working on something straight away. We started off by listening to some interesting talks from different team members on different elements of the company, its infrastructure, how things are approached, and why some programming languages are chosen. Then we took part in workshops on the design system and testing. I think this was one of the most important parts, as we found out the key information about how things are done here.What’s great about the Academy is that each person gets assigned a mentor. It’s really helpful to have a person nearby who can answer all of your questions. I was taken aback by how the company deals with management, as I’d never experienced this approach before. Our managers regularly check in one-on-one, to make sure that everything is ok, and that there’s no niggling issues or problems. I feel really heard. It’s really refreshing to be part of an organisation that listens to you and takes action when things are wrong or not going well.&nbsp;Code Review and Collaboration&nbsp;I’ve come a long way from the days of learning by myself. Now I know a bit more about iOS, and I like it even more because you can see it building in real time, and you can see how your every input changes the output. Another one of the crucial things I’d never experienced when working alone is how necessary it is to review other people’s code. If I need to write some code, I have to read a lot of other code in the process. It has been a steep learning curve, but such a great experience to see how other developers work.&nbsp;Vinted's Mission and AtmosphereWhen I think about working here at Vinted, I’m not only enthusiastic about the practical side of my day-to-day role. I also really resonate with our company mission to build something useful worldwide, not just locally. The fantastic atmosphere here is evidence of how much we care for our people, and the planet as well, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.ConclusionOnly when looking back at my career-change journey, can I fully appreciate the many hurdles and obstacles that I had to overcome to get where I am today. I faced a daily battle with my self-confidence, and being so isolated when learning in the beginning was a challenge. I’m so glad that I persevered, and had the opportunity, along with the necessary support and positive working atmosphere at Vinted to make my big career transition a positive one.

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Career Shift: Video Creator to iOS Developer at Vinted

What makes working in Vinted Finance so exciting? Meet Natalija, Accounting Team Lead at Vinted. We talked to Natalija about her path to Vinted and her career journey&nbsp;–&nbsp;from starting out in Vinted’s Community Support team, to becoming the Accounting Team Lead.

What’s your name and job at Vinted?&nbsp;I’m Natalija Mockienė, Accounting Team Lead. My teammates and I oversee the invoice processing function as part of the Accounts Payable team.When and how did you join? Why? (Be honest!)I joined Vinted 3 years ago. The story was nothing out of the ordinary. I was searching for new career opportunities and found a position that looked like something I would like to do. I did however find Vinted’s hiring process quite unusual – I’d never experienced a try-out day before. Looking back, it really helped me with my decision and gave me a feel for what the day-to-day work would look like. I got to know a few of my future team members, and felt I could bring value to the team.How is Vinted’s mission important to you?I relate to it, because it’s simply about doing good. It’s beneficial for the environment, necessary to increase an object's life cycle, and friendly for your bank balance. Of course, I’d be lying if I said that the minute I started working at Vinted, I stopped buying anything new. But joining the company kick-started my passion for exploring the second-hand market.Tell us about your typical workday. Do you have a morning ritual?There’s nothing typical about our workdays. On ‘normal’ days, the first part is filled with Slack notifications and meetings. After that, I focus on project- and process-based tasks. Each month, every accountant faces the end of the financial month closure period. It’s a busy time, with all hands on deck, and regular routines tend to go out the window, as everything must get done.I don’t have any morning rituals. But I try to keep up with a few rules. I set my status to ‘away’ for the first and last 15 minutes of each day so I can plan and review the day, and I always switch off at lunchtime. I feel like ‘switching off’ for a short period during a stressful day does way more for my mental health than any morning ritual I’ve tried to follow.

What makes you excited to wake up and go to work each morning?Usually it’s&nbsp;a topic I can’t stop thinking about before going to bed. There’s always something cooking — metaphorically or literally. I either want to start work on solving a problem, finish a three-month-long project, or there's something tasty planned for lunch at Vinted Noise — that’s the name of our office canteen here in Vilnius.Your career path at Vinted is distinct as you’ve changed departments within the company. What was your first position here?I started in Community Support as a Queue Manager (this position is now called Resource Planning Analyst). Part of this was planning and organising employees and their allocation to make sure Vinted members received replies and resolutions to their enquiries in good time. This was a new position, so there was a lot of space to create things from scratch. My closest colleagues are still working at Vinted and had their opportunities to grow within the Community Support department. We still meet for an occasional coffee to talk about the good old days.Why did you decide to make a career jump? What was the main motivation to switch to finance?I have a Bachelor's degree in Accounting. Over the years, I’ve explored several different careers, but I always wanted to eventually go back to accounting. I wasn’t actively searching for a new opportunity, but I often browsed open job positions at Vinted to recommend to my friends. One day, I stumbled upon something for myself - an ideal position as an Accounting Associate in a newly created Accounting team. I thought to myself: “Why not?” and went for it.What was easy and what was hard about the switch? Tell us about the process.The decision to apply was easy –&nbsp;as I was still happy in my current position, I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. I found the Hiring Manager and requested a pre-interview. The rest of the process was quite smooth because I already knew what the hiring process at Vinted was like.The hardest part was deciding to take the job. I was scared to step outside my comfort zone. It was a major change to go from working in one field on Friday to another one on Monday.&nbsp;But it was great to be able to just dive into new responsibilities without having to learn everything about a company, as you usually do with a new job. It’s much harder to change both your career path and your employer at the same time. I’d already been working for Vinted for a year, which made it easier to adapt to and focus on the daily tasks. This came in handy multiple times.&nbsp;What are the main lessons that you learned during this transition?Good things happen when you leave your comfort zone. Change is never easy, but if you believe that change is needed and will bring value to your future, then go for it.&nbsp;How do you use your learning budget? Has it helped you in your career-changing journey?It’s helped me on many levels. I’ve had the opportunity to learn about more minor, niche topics, as well as developing my knowledge on broader subjects when the inspiration hits. I have way more accounting books in my library compared to a few years ago. They were very useful when I was refreshing my knowledge for a new position. The learning budget has also helped me to see what’s circling in the finance and leadership fields in other companies and countries.You’ve also grown in the Finance domain, and recently took the role of Team Lead. What was your motivation? Did your lead or team help out in any way?Quite similar to joining the Finance domain, the opportunity presented itself. All I needed was the courage to change. Both my lead and my team were the key elements of why I decided to tackle this role. When the position was announced, I received several messages encouraging me to apply. When your team supports you, it really gives you a huge boost of motivation.I became a team lead for a few of my teammates, so we already knew each other and how we operate. As I grew in this team from Associate to Accountant, I already knew how processes work and where improvement was needed. In a way it’s also kind of comforting that even after these changes I still work with the same direct manager, who I keep learning new skills from and can call my mentor. So, all things considered, the decision to apply was easy. Stepping out of my comfort zone and learning new things was the challenging part.&nbsp;What’s exciting about working in the Finance domain at Vinted? Give us more details on what exactly you and your team do.The work is constantly evolving, which is both the best and the most challenging part of the job. With the company steadily growing, there’s always a new project to join. My team and I are responsible for processing external vendor invoices. Our central focus is assuring that all invoices are processed accurately and timely. We take care of all Vinted subsidiaries' invoices, oversee communication with external vendors and internal departments, and assist with the implementation of new tools in our software.&nbsp;It might sound reparative from the outside, yet once Vinted Go launched, we needed to collaborate closely with other teams to align the best way of accounting new types of expenses. With more complex budgeting requirements, we needed to implement new procedures and controls. As employee numbers keep rising, we also needed to re-evaluate our KPIs and pinpoint specific ways of improving the bill processing flow. Of course, it can be stressful when no two weeks are the same, but with that comes plenty of opportunities to learn, contribute, co-create and grow both professionally and personally.

Can you share any recent accomplishments of your team or the Finance domain that you’re proud of?I can’t pick out just one thing, but I’m very proud of how our team is continuously improving. To start with, we’ve made general adjustments to the team’s structure, better distributed responsibilities, and created a backup plan. We’re continually adding more automatic solutions to the invoice booking process and refining payment scheduling terms. Finally, we’re analysing and re-evaluating our KPIs, and distinguishing the most value-adding metrics. A lot of this looked different just a year ago, and I can’t wait to see how we grow in the future. &nbsp;By the way, do you use the Vinted app? If so, what’s your way of using it?Of course! I’m a frequent buyer and a rare seller. Our monthly Vinted shopping budget was a great incentive to start using it regularly. It has now become my go-to app when searching for all the items I need – from clothes to small appliances, you name it – I’ve bought it all.&nbsp;One fun fact about you.I was told that I take photos like an accountant. During my photography studies, my teacher noticed that my pictures are very balanced and said I should try exploring different angles more. And no, he didn’t know that I was an accountant. Yet, once in a while, when I get stuck trying to solve an issue in a balanced way, I try to look at it from a different angle as well.Pick one piece of media to recommend.&nbsp;Why do you think it deserves someone’s attention and what role does it play in your life?A podcast called&nbsp;The Ground Up Show&nbsp;by Matt D'Avella. It’s really inspiring. Each episode features different guests and covers different topics - from mental wellbeing, to creative storytelling, habit building and entrepreneurship.

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Natalija Mockienė: Good Things Happen When You Leave Your Comfort Zone

Meet Agnė, Analytics Engineer at Vinted. During our interview, Agnė talked about her career journey to Vinted, explained her role-switching career jump, and shared what makes her current work meaningful.

What’s your name and job at Vinted?I’m Agnė, and I work as an Analytics Engineer in the Transactional Experience domain. Analytics Engineers at Vinted are responsible for taking raw data from different primary sources and translating it into meaningful analytical tables, which can help tackle business questions for anyone interested: data scientists, product owners, leaders, customer support. The Data Science &amp; Analytics department’s vision is to make data obvious throughout Vinted, and I feel my role plays an important part in achieving this.&nbsp;When and how did you join? Why? (Be honest!)I joined Vinted four years ago when there were only around two hundred employees here. Before that, I was a financial analyst in a manufacturing company, doing all kinds of reports, analyses, and process improvements. Even though I wasn’t looking for a change, somewhere deep down I wanted to move into the tech industry.I’ve heard friends talking about Vinted’s culture before. It caught my interest. So one day, when I stumbled upon an ad for a Product Data Scientist role, I decided to apply, wrote a warm motivational letter, put an honest effort into my homework assignment, and, to my surprise, was hired!&nbsp;How is Vinted’s mission important for you?&nbsp;It’s a great feeling to be working with a product that contributes to the growth of sustainability worldwide. It brings a deeper purpose and meaning to everyday tasks.&nbsp;Tell us about your typical work day? Do you have a morning ritual?I usually prepare for the workday ahead before it even starts. I wake up, drink a glass of water, do a fifteen minute morning exercise, meditate, prepare a nutritious breakfast and treat myself to a cup of strong black coffee. A successful morning routine sets the mood and productivity level for the whole day.During working hours, I divide my time between concentrated individual work and collaboration with stakeholders while sorting out data nuances or requirements.&nbsp;What makes you excited to wake up and go to work each morning?Firstly, no two of my work tasks are the same — and that keeps me continually stimulated, and always learning something new. For instance, we’re now preparing for the migration from the on-premise data warehouse to BigQuery (Google Cloud) and dbt (Data build tool). I feel a bit nervous about it, but it’s a good feeling because it will be a tremendous opportunity to grow my knowledge.&nbsp;Secondly, we use world-class technologies and processes, which put us at the forefront of the world’s data market. In parallel with the cloud migration, we’ll also be building a Data Mesh — the data platform version of microservice architecture. It's one of the hottest data buzzwords right now, and I’m more than excited to be a part of this.And finally, we truly have a data-driven culture here at Vinted, so the work I’m doing feels necessary and meaningful.&nbsp;&nbsp;You’ve been at Vinted for 4 years now. What was your first position?I started out as a Product Data Scientist in a cross-functional product team in the Trust domain. My responsibility was to answer various business questions using data from our app. Sometimes those questions were very abstract or oriented toward future opportunities. You had to call upon your knowledge, data, and creativity to answer them.&nbsp;Product teams act autonomously, so it was great to drive our initiatives and see the impact we make. It’s like a micro-entity inside the company.&nbsp;Why did you decide to switch career paths? What was the main motivation?While working in a product team, I felt I enjoyed and brought more value to the technical side, such as writing data jobs, tackling data inconsistencies, and improving datasets. Back then, we didn’t have specialisations. Product Data Scientists were responsible for the whole pipeline: from preparing data in the data warehouse to providing business insights out of analyses.&nbsp;With Vinted’s growth, the role inevitably split into three positions: Data Scientist, Decision Scientist, and Analytics Engineer. Then I realised that it was a perfect opportunity for me to switch roles. My lead was super supportive, and here I am.&nbsp;What was easy and what was hard about it? Tell us about the process.I wouldn't say anything was particularly hard. I was already doing some analytics engineering in my previous role. The only difference was how I divided my time; I switched from full-time analyses to full-time engineering. It wasn’t a massive change, but significant enough. It also didn't happen overnight. I shifted into it gradually and had to prove my capabilities.I had (and still have) to deepen my technical knowledge, which was challenging, but also enjoyable. My greatest advantage was my knowledge of how both the data and product teams work.&nbsp;I now see my work as a product I supply to the end users. The end user used to be me, so I find it pretty easy to understand data requirements when the demand arises. For example, when we launch a new feature, I can quickly understand what kind of tables will be useful and how to design a new dataset from the raw backend data or tracking events.&nbsp;What would be your top advice for someone who wants to change careers to something they virtually know nothing about?The most important one — please don’t hold yourself back by thinking that something's too complicated or impossible.&nbsp;One interesting fact about you?It might sound unusual, but I’ve been wearing only black for almost twenty years. It started as a gothic teenage rebellion and developed into my own individual style over the years.&nbsp;No, I don't get bored of it, and yes — it gets a bit warm during the summer!&nbsp;By the way, do you use the Vinted app? If so, what’s your way of using it?I was using it a long time before joining Vinted as an employee. Usually, I buy black clothes!&nbsp;When I see something I like in a clothes shop, I memorise or write it down and wait for the item to appear on the Vinted app. Someone might have bought it and didn’t like it, so I’ll buy it second-hand from them. It's a definite win-win situation.&nbsp;Aiming high daily is not easy – how do you relax?Music takes up a lot of my spare time. I listen to a variety of genres, visit concerts weekly, and travel to watch my favourite artists’ shows across Europe. I also attend online music history courses and read biographies and I’ve been going to music quizzes with a group of friends for years. I secretly cherish a dream of creating some music myself. I reckon it would be very structured and mathematical, yet delicately emotional.&nbsp;Pick one piece of media to recommend. Why do you think it deserves someone’s attention and what role does it play in your life?The School of Life&nbsp;instantly pops into my head. If you’re either going through a tough period in your life, as we all sometimes do, or you simply want to grow as a better human being — The School of Life <a href="https://www.theschooloflife.com/shop/">books</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/theschooloflifetv">videos</a> are a great source of wisdom. They cover various themes. From relationships, self-love, and work to philosophy and art. But most importantly, they teach a more empathetic approach towards life, ourselves, and others.

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Agnė Misiukonytė: Don’t Hold Yourself Back by Thinking That Something’s Impossible

Meet Vytautas, VP of Vinted Go. During our interview, Vytautas talked about his experience in e-commerce logistics, gave an in-depth explanation of a brand-new business entity in the Vinted group, and shared its current projects and future plans.

What’s your name and job at Vinted?I’m Vytautas Atkočaitis, VP of Vinted Go, which is the logistics arm of Vinted Group.&nbsp;When and how did you join? Why? (Be honest!)I joined Vinted a year and a half ago. Before coming to Vinted, I was living in Seattle, USA, where I was working for a big e-commerce company. A chance meeting with one of Vinted's founders, Mantas Mikuckas, led him&nbsp;to introduce me to Vinted’s mission and vision. It caught my interest because I didn’t know (as I hadn’t been living in Lithuania for a while) that there were Lithuanian companies with such ambitions.It was then that we spoke about the Shipping Director position. I went through the whole application process, and after that, I joined Vinted. Even though Vinted Go was only a plan then, the company’s ambition was captivating. Vinted Marketplace’s vision alone was enough for me to want to get involved in this project.&nbsp;&nbsp;Why is Vinted’s mission important to you?&nbsp;Personally, I really admire the opportunity to work on something on a global scale that has the potential to change the way millions of people consume. Right now, the work is on fashion, which is one of the most polluting industries. But when you have a platform with an established user base, you can affect many other industries at the same time.&nbsp;Nowadays, it is crucial to be environmentally friendly. In the long term, I don't see myself working in companies that refuse to think and act on these problems. I believe in Vinted’s mission, and I think it is necessary to do it on a big scale.&nbsp;&nbsp;Tell us about your typical work day. Do you have a morning routine?Usually, at 7 AM, I drive my kids to kindergarten. At 8 AM, I drink my coffee, check my emails, and prepare for my work day ahead, for a planned 9 AM start.No two days are alike at Vinted. My activities range from one-on-ones with my teammates to strategic problem solving and meetings with partners, investors, or media. Because Vinted Go is a growing unit in Vinted’s organisation, I still need to be hands-on on some topics, so if necessary, I do analysis, strategy planning, etc.&nbsp;&nbsp;What do you find meaningful in your job?&nbsp;For me, the most exciting thing is working with collaborative people who are eager to solve problems as a team. Co-creation is embedded in Vinted’s culture. I felt it when I joined Vinted. Back then, I didn’t really know much about it, but had my ideas. It was easy to blend into a team and start making an impact.&nbsp;Aiming high drives me. It means that we don’t seek an easy way out. We aim for quality, which usually is hard to achieve. To innovate, you can’t do what you already know.&nbsp;&nbsp;You’re now VP of Vinted Go. What do you like most about this field?My whole career has been in operations, logistics, and e-commerce logistics. Before Vinted, I spent 6 years at Amazon. Why Vinted and shipping? It came naturally from my profile. Speaking about it holistically, if you want to change the industry’s consumer habits and the whole industry in a meaningful way, it’s achievable when you reach a certain scale. From the marketplace perspective, Vinted is already the biggest online C2C second-hand marketplace in Europe. Thus we make a positive impact on the fashion industry, but at the same time, we make another impact by providing a vast logistics solution.For holistic solutions, you need to solve first-mile and last-mile problems in an industry that needs innovation. Our goal at Vinted Go is to be that accelerator of innovation in our industry and help Vinted Marketplace scale more and minimise the negative impact. We aim to be more net-positive. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s about working on global-scale problems. Shipping at Vinted is an exceptional place to do just that.&nbsp;&nbsp;What’s special about Vinted Go? How is it different from other companies?Vinted Go is distinct in the e-commerce industry. There are very few organisations that fully understand logistics and their value, and make continuous improvements. There are many reasons for this. The most common one is that only a few can reach a scale where it’s worth investing your time and money into them.When you reach that level, it becomes meaningful and engaging to dig deeper and learn more about it because you understand that your client’s loyalty and satisfaction with the platform depends on how successfully you deliver their parcels. It’s all about the experience of delivery, refund, and so on.&nbsp;What Vinted understood very early on is that shipping is essential for enabling C2C. It’s way more complex than traditional B2C. We have to ensure that a person who sells their no-longer-worn item can just pack and send it. We also need to guarantee that the buyer can easily pick it up. As well as this, all the actions in between, such as tracking, have to be transparent.&nbsp;What do we do better than the others? We have a playbook for launching various European markets cheaper, more comfortably, and with less pollution. We do that with the PUDO (pick-up, drop-off) shipping option, which is still quite a passively adopted way of shipping, especially in western countries. Right now, less than 10% of parcels are delivered to lockers. We work with this delivery mode, because it’s more comfortable and cheaper than the home delivery option, and carries more environmental benefits. We learned how to connect all the markets into one big market, which means that it’s no longer a hassle to send parcels between countries. Thus we can offer a new product - affordable shipping between countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;What functions does Vinted Go have in the Vinted Group?Recently we officially announced the launch of Vinted Go as a new and separate business unit within the Vinted group. The Vinted Marketplace is our first client to benefit from our shipping services.Beyond that, we’re building our own locker network in France – a process which we started a couple of months ago. We also sell shipping services to all e-commerce companies in Europe. We aim to be a service provider for everyone, not only Vinted. Our main focus right now is Vinted, but more and more teams in our unit focus on products and technologies to cater to other clients.&nbsp;&nbsp;How do you see the future of Vinted Go? What are its main priorities?The primary focus will be on providing the best possible experience for our Vinted Marketplace members. From there,&nbsp;we will continue to innovate in this field. Many problems are yet to be solved, from quality of life to affordability. Simultaneously, we will build our capabilities in France to create a fully Vinted-focused experience. Then we will move on to other markets. We also plan to develop our virtual shipping platform to provide products to e-commerce companies globally.&nbsp;How is Vinted Go innovative compared to other shipping companies?Our solution that we provide in part depends on our collaboration with shipping companies and carriers. We offer a single united network of our carrier partners. By integrating with Vinted Go, you get access to 43 shipping carriers across Europe with a unified pricing policy, customer service, etc., offered as one package.&nbsp;&nbsp;Tell us about the structure of your team. How fast is it expanding? Where is it based?Vinted Go’s structure is similar to other companies. It’s a mirror image of how Vinted Marketplace operates. We have teams working on the product, technology, etc. Our teams are cross-functional, which means they consist of people from product management, engineering, data science, and design. In this way, we collaborate to create new technological solutions.We’re not just a technology company. We have teams working with business development, partnerships with carriers, warehouses, locker providers, and so on. Furthermore, we have a sales department focused on commercial partnerships. Also, we have analytics, and program functions, which work on complex cross-functional projects. It’s quite a standard organisational structure.&nbsp;At Vinted Go, we employ over 120 people, and at the end of the year, we’ll expand to 180 people. Most of the team is based in Vilnius at the moment, but we actively hire people in Berlin, London, Paris, and Amsterdam, depending on the function or roles. We aim to find the best candidates.&nbsp;&nbsp;What qualities do you look for when hiring people in Vinted Go?We look for people who are passionate about solving complex problems, want to operate in a not fully determined environment, like operational or business development problems, and are eager to solve complex technological riddles. We currently see ourselves as a start-up in the Vinted Group. We’re trying to develop a couple of strategic directions, so we’re looking for people who want to grow together with us and who understand that the path to success is not linear.&nbsp;Could you share some semi-recent projects done in your unit?We’ve already started developing our locker infrastructure network in France. It was a project that we had worked on for six months. Our goal is to test it during the summer, see what’s working and what’s not, and then expand. Additionally, in spring, we started the sales of our virtual shipping platform and worked on integrations with e-commerces in Europe. We also enabled the expansion of Vinted’s marketplace: Vinted launched in Slovakia and Portugal. There are lots of different projects done in the unit.

What are the main principles you follow at work?My principles are in line with Vinted’s values. I value people who set ambitious goals, don’t default to the easiest path, who are not afraid to fail, and can learn from mistakes. Figuratively speaking, at Vinted, we’re thinking about how to fly to Mars and trying to understand why we aren’t there yet. I also value openness and certainty. It means communicating with each other clearly and avoiding ambiguity.&nbsp;What is vital for personal growth and helping others grow?From my perspective, I try to learn from my mistakes one task at a time. From a team perspective, I see my purpose as helping others to be in the right place where they can succeed. It means enabling them so their skillset can deliver impact, while at the same time, giving them freedom and opportunities to grow and expand their knowledge and skills. I believe in growing people vertically from within the organisation. So I spend a lot of time evaluating whether we have the right people in key positions.One of the reasons why I joined Vinted was Mantas and his story. The possibility to learn from him and other leaders in the organisation was really valuable. Right now, I do the same with Vinted Group leadership teams.&nbsp;By the way, do you use the Vinted app? If so, what do you use it for?I use it for my 3-year-old twins. Every season, my wife and I look for various items, and we find everything on Vinted. We don’t need to go to the shops, so it’s a win-win situation in terms of the economic and environmental impact. Plus, you get to see firsthand what’s working and what’s not in the product itself.&nbsp;&nbsp;One fun fact about you?I’m an adventurous person, both in work and in my personal life. I like playing poker and have played in the biggest poker tournaments in the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;Your favourite place in the world (online or offline)?Las Vegas.&nbsp;Please pick one piece of media to recommend.&nbsp;Why do you think it deserves someone’s attention and what role does it play in your life?For people coming to work in operations, I recommend the book Working backwards by Colin Bryar and Bill Carr. It’s about Amazon's operations and its fundamentals. It’s for those who are interested in this industry and want to learn to operate in a lean way.&nbsp;

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Vytautas Atkočaitis: At Vinted Go, We Contribute to Changing Consumer Habits

Meet Witek, Manager of Data Science &amp; Analytics at Vinted. During our interview, he talked about his day-to-day work at Vinted, told us why growth is vital in personal and professional life and opened up about his curiosity for life.

What’s your name and job at Vinted?I am Witek. At Vinted, I work as a Manager in the Data Science &amp; Analytics team and the Leadership team of the Monetisation domain. The latter department is responsible for the added value from paid services and advertisements. These additional revenue streams allow Vinted to reduce buyer fees or shipment costs. And as a result, improve the proposition to all Vinted users.&nbsp;When and how did you join? Why? (Be honest!)I joined Vinted when it acquired Bloom, the company I had worked for before. It was an Amsterdam-based consulting company that combined strategy and data science to accelerate digital growth. We had been consulting with Vinted for almost two years. So I had first-hand experience of how the values and mindsets of the two companies aligned.&nbsp;How is Vinted’s mission important for you? What extra efforts do you take to live sustainably in your life outside work?My professional background is in sustainable energy. I studied nuclear physics, and my first job as an applied physicist was all about solar energy. I see sustainable consumption (next to sustainable energy) as a crucial element that we should embed in our society.Personally, I have reduced eating meat and switched to one of the most sustainable energy providers and banks. Besides, I take trains instead of planes where it makes sense.&nbsp;Tell us about your typical workday? Do you have a morning ritual?There is no typical workday. But a week usually consists of having talks and discussions with my data team about the insights of analyses, as well as personal development.With my leadership team, we have workshops to develop the domain strategy, identify growth opportunities, and build the roadmaps and organisation around it. And individually, I always look into our key metrics to understand drivers of change and the possible actions we should take based on those drivers.&nbsp;What makes you excited to wake up and go to work each morning?Vinted has large ambitions. The company grows and changes extremely fast, which requires a lot of flexibility and energy. But this is also what makes it very exciting for me. It is an adventure that I go on with very smart, motivated, and supportive colleagues.&nbsp;How important is growth to you? What role does it play in your life outside work?&nbsp;I’ve always been eager to learn and understand things. I enjoyed studying applied physics because I am curious about how the world works. Then my interest in how business and strategy work was the reason why I switched from my first role to my second job. And now, my personal growth is mostly about learning what drives and motivates people.&nbsp;How does Vinted contribute to your growth? What work and side projects could you name that have taught you a lot?No week is the same at Vinted. That’s why most learning and growth is on the job. Next to that, Vinted highly encourages learning and personal improvement. We have a significant learning budget for anything that helps you grow faster and better. You can use it for books, training, courses, or coaching.&nbsp;Also, Vinted has multiple in-house training programs. For example, the Data Science and Analytics program, where you can develop technical, business, and people skills. Personally, I learned a lot from the leadership training series offered by Vinted.&nbsp;Usually, when people talk about growth, they mean advancing to a higher, often managing position. What do you think about horizontal growth?Well, we cannot live in a world with only managers, right? Within the Data Science &amp; Analytics organisation, we have two tracks: the people-lead track and the individual contributor track. Both are equally important, have equal growth potential, and are rewarded based on the impact you make.&nbsp;People say you can learn a lot from teamwork – is it true for Vinted? Could you give an example?In my previous job as a consultant, I worked on most projects independently. At Vinted, we take a different approach. Here, working in a team brings me a lot of value because we learn from each other's backgrounds and experiences. We complement each other's strengths and weaknesses. This gives us a strong sense of achieving things together.&nbsp;What has Vinted taught you that is not directly related to your job?Vinted's headquarters and most of my colleagues are in Vilnius, Lithuania. The place where Vinted was founded. I've managed to learn a lot about its history, culture, and people.&nbsp;By the way, do you use the Vinted app? If so, what’s your way of using it?Yes, I started using it when I joined Vinted. By now, I’ve bought shoes, shorts, a sweater, a jacket, and swim shorts via the app.&nbsp;One fun fact about you?I participated twice in the Dutch Championship of jigsaw puzzles. With a team of 4 people, we had to complete a 1000 piece puzzle as fast as possible while competing against 40 teams. Too bad we did not win, but it was quite an experience!&nbsp;Your favourite place in the world?The mountains are the best place in the world. I enjoy hiking a lot and took up mountaineering a few years ago. The mountains never stop to amaze and impress me. Being there can be a humbling experience and gives a feeling of fulfilment when you reach a summit or complete a part of the journey.&nbsp;&nbsp;Aiming high daily is not easy – how do you relax?Sports make me feel good and relaxed. I like to swim, cycle, and climb. Additionally, I play the piano. It was during the pandemic that I started taking piano lessons. Now I try to play every day.

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Witek Nawara: Growth Requires Teamwork

Meet Modesta, Vinted's Marketing Production Lead. She shares the story of her unusual journey to Vinted, what makes her job meaningful, the impact of the company’s growth, and how her leadership journey is going.

Hi! What is your name and job at Vinted?I am Modesta Vaitonytė, and I work as a Marketing Production Lead at Vinted. My job is leading one of the Production teams and managing its creative projects, including TV and digital video content, radio, and OOH (out-of-home advertising) production.&nbsp;When and how did you join? Why? (Be honest!)It is quite a story! In fact, it was not on my first try that I joined Vinted. In 2018, I was working in a digital agency as a Project Manager. I had worked with multiple brands but wanted to move to the clients’ side. My sister told me that Vinted was hiring a Marketing Project Coordinator, so I applied.The whole application process was smooth, but I did not get an offer after my try-out day. It was a bit sad, but Vinted made it easy as I got a personal and warm reply with their decision. They did not send me a message from a template – they shared the clear and transparent reason behind their choice. Maybe it was not my desired outcome of this story, but I felt motivated as I’d gotten so far.Besides, Vinted made an impression as a workplace where people love and believe in what they do. So when after six months, I got a call from Vinted asking if I’d like to apply again, I did not hesitate. I didn't have to do the homework tasks again – I just had one interview and moved straight to the try-out day. I was even more overwhelmed by this second chance, as I truly wanted the position. This time, I got a phone call with great news. Vinted wanted me on the team, and I joined in October 2018.&nbsp;What do you find meaningful about your job?I like the dynamism of my work. Even though the processes repeat, every project is different. Hence, I can always learn, grow and find new approaches to my work. Another thing that I admire is constant problem solving because every time new challenges occur, you need to overcome them. That requires creativity – in a management position, too. This is because nothing is set in stone, and you, together with your team, need to find the best solutions to ever-occurring problems.Also, I am fascinated by the team I work with. People often say how many talented, intelligent people work at Vinted. And that is true. When you work in an environment like this, you always feel inspired. We work as a team, where everyone cares, discusses, collaborates, and works together towards a common goal.Besides, I have always wanted to work with one brand, know it and understand it inside out. That was missing when I worked in an agency. There, you work with multiple brands at the same time. But then you do not know them by heart. Here, at Vinted, it’s a different story. Now I can say that Vinted is my soulmate.&nbsp;What makes it exciting for you to manage creative projects at Vinted?To be honest, it’s all about people. We take a human-first approach in our work, as Vinted is a product and platform which connects people. So in creative projects, our style and direction are about being relevant and down to earth. We do not create advertisements about utopian fantasies but rather look back at people’s everyday lives to find inspiration.It’s always easier to work on projects you believe in. That is the case at Vinted. In our advertisements, we tell honest stories that come from the real world. We create a product for people like us.&nbsp;What are the most memorable projects that you have worked on?One of the most memorable projects was the Vintedist, during which we did documentary-style interviews with Vinted members. We used no scripts, only real people and unique experiences. The whole process was enriching for everyone involved in this project. It was an ice-breaking project which gave a start to other beautiful creatives: from Vintedist-inspired execution in different markets such as <a href="https://vimeo.com/474715028">the UK</a> and <a href="https://www.eddy.tv/film/work/1449/vinted-director-s-cut">France</a>, to the latest projects we are currently working on.It was memorable to learn how to participate in the video shoots online for the first time during lockdown. As well as to come back on a live set after almost two years. The shift takes 12 hours, and we work 3-4 days in a row, so attitude matters. For example, in one of the last shoots in Madrid, the director had the tradition to play a special song for each shot to enhance the mood for the actresses and actors. The result? The team of more than 20 people ended up dancing while the camera was rolling.&nbsp;How is Vinted different from the last places you have worked at?At Vinted, I would never describe people as a labour force, and our work is not only about monetary value. Everyone takes care of each other and works towards the same goal. Therefore, you feel appreciated for your work and feel the same about the people around you. That’s important because when you feel happy, you can achieve more. There is zero competition between employees, and we work together as a team, supporting each other. We value mental health and the human side of our work too.&nbsp;What would be the top three things that have changed in the company since you started?&nbsp;I’ve been working at Vinted for 3 years already, and the biggest change, of course, is the number of people that have joined the company. When I started, there were 200 of us. Now there are over 1000. Speaking about the Marketing department, it went from 20 to 100 people in three years. So the number of different people joining Vinted skyrocketed. But this large group has managed to preserve the culture and even enrich it. We are more diverse than ever before.Of course, this has had its own challenges that drove change. When you work together with so many people, you must find new ways to work smarter. Therefore we are continuously working on adjusting our work processes. There is a need to be flexible when more and more people join our team. Also, new written rules appear. This is unavoidable because such a big group cannot work without them. Rules agreed on by word of mouth became formalised to establish clear processes and make sure we treat each other equally. For me, it’s exciting to see how we all manage to work in harmony.&nbsp;When you joined Vinted, did you think that Vinted would scale up so fast?I did not think that it would happen so fast. But all of us knew the ambitions. So together as a team, we worked towards achieving them. For me, the growth of Vinted became so visible after the quarantine period. It felt like a different company when so many people joined us, but as I said before – we managed to preserve the culture, which I care about.&nbsp;How do you stay interested in staying with one company for a prolonged time?&nbsp;In my previous work, I wanted a change after 2 years. Vinted is a different experience because of two things. Firstly, what is keeping me here is a strong culture and values which align with my personal ones. We grow, aim high, and work together towards achieving a common goal. Another thing is constant growth. I still feel that the company is vibrant and flexible. I certainly do not see stagnation as we always move forward.Most importantly, I work with a product that I admire, and I think that is every marketing specialist’s aspiration. Vinted creates sustainable value for its users and us, its employees. The idea of a mission-driven approach that also improves Vinted members' lives is wonderful. So I feel complete here, and that, without a doubt, encourages me to stay.&nbsp;What was the biggest challenge you overcame during this time? Was it a painful lesson to learn?There were some challenges during my time here. It would be naive to think that everything is effortless. There are high and low moments. One of the latter was Covid with its isolation and changed reality which sounds a bit cliché&nbsp;but let’s face it – many of us were affected.&nbsp;The company’s growth was a challenge as well. It’s always hard to change your work habits when you are used to working in one way. For example, recently, we changed how&nbsp;the Marketing department is structured and created new&nbsp;teams&nbsp;to operate more efficiently. These changes bring better results in the end, but the process itself is not always comfortable.&nbsp;You recently became a Marketing Production Lead. How is this journey going?It is still really fresh, and it will take time to adjust. But I’m happy about it. My team’s positive reaction was encouraging. So I am just starting this journey of helping my team grow and vice-versa. I get to grow as a lead as well, and the company supports it. There is leadership training, discussions, and other activities. So you can learn both theoretical and practical skills of management.Also, I have a mentor, my lead, from whom I am learning how to ask the right questions and find the right answers. It is a mutual process based on trust and support. So it is an open and helpful environment.&nbsp;By the way, do you use the Vinted app? If so, what is your way of using it?&nbsp;Yes! I use the app at least once a month. I first tried it as a buyer. And when I started working at&nbsp;Vinted, I stopped buying fast fashion. Now, I choose between getting something on&nbsp;Vinted or buying a new high-quality item. It's amusing&nbsp;when people ask me, “where did you get this?” and I say, “Vinted”. Then I feel like I’m in one of our ads.After some time, I started selling on the app as well. That’s because I wanted to declutter my wardrobe –&nbsp;it helps to declutter my head too. I usually give my buyers a good discount, because I no longer need these items but they can make someone happy.&nbsp;Pick one piece of media to recommend. Why do you think it deserves someone’s attention, and what role does it play in your life?&nbsp;I recommend the podcast The Hidden Brain&nbsp;about human behaviour based on brain research. I like this topic because the brain is a magical place for me. I am really interested in why we act in one way and not another in certain situations. And this podcast answers a lot of my questions.

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Modesta Vaitonytė: Vinted’s Values Align With My Personal Ones

Meet Raluca Marinovici, Product Owner at Vinted’s Expansion Unit. During our interview, Raluca talked about her path to Vinted, her professional and personal growth, and how Vinted has contributed to it.

Hi Raluca! What is your role at Vinted?&nbsp;Hello! I am a Product Owner at Vinted, currently working in the Expansion Unit.&nbsp;When and how did you join? Why? (Be honest!)I joined in October 2020, when Vinted acquired United Wardrobe, where I’d already been working for three years. Why? Both companies had a similar mission, so continuing with Vinted was a no-brainer for me. Besides, Vinted provides lots of growth opportunities in my professional career.&nbsp;Tell us about your typical workday. Do you have any morning rituals that help you kick-start your day?Typical? I don't have one. Every day there’s a new challenge that we try to solve. That’s what I love about my job. There hasn't been a moment when I think that I’m bored or want to do something else.As for my morning rituals, my typical day starts with a cup of coffee. While drinking it, I go through the platform’s performance on the previous day. Then, I look at my calendar and figure out whether there are any scheduled meetings. Based on this, I plan my day. It could be focused on data analysis, providing solutions to our members’ problems, writing product requirements, competitor analysis, and much more.&nbsp;That’s a vast array of tasks! So, what makes you excited to wake up and go to work each morning?If I had to pick one reason, it would be discovering new hypotheses on why Vinted members behave in certain ways. That makes me excited every day, and I’m glad that it's a big part of my work.&nbsp;&nbsp;What other motivations do you find important in your job?&nbsp;It may sound cheesy, but the fact that me and my team can make an impact on the world through our work is very exciting.&nbsp;Wonderful to hear! Tell us, how important is growth in your work and generally in life?In my perspective, growth is crucial. If I stop growing and learning new things, then that’s the moment I’d think: this is not for me anymore because I’ve reached the maximum. But I’m far from that right now. One of the biggest things that I've learned at work is patience and hearing others. This also plays a role in my day-to-day life because I can easily apply it to conversations with friends, family, and other people.&nbsp;How does Vinted contribute to your growth? What work and side projects could you name that have taught you a lot?I started as an intern at United Wardrobe four years ago. The fact that I’ve had a chance to work up to my current position and continue my work after the acquisition is the best example of how Vinted contributes to my growth. Apart from that, now, after four years, I can say that I’ve had plenty of projects that have contributed to my professional development. During this time, I have learned a lot and grown as a person.&nbsp;One example is the shipping project where we had to integrate different shipping carriers. As the project went by, I learned what teamwork is all about. For me, it's about being together in one room, caring for the work we’ve done, and when it doesn't go as planned, sticking together and fixing all issues that arise as a team.&nbsp;Usually, when people talk about growth, they mean advancing to a higher, often, managing position. What do you think about horizontal growth?Horizontal growth is part of what I’ve been doing for the past four years. It shouldn’t be undermined because as you do this, you can advance vertically as well. Why am I saying this? Well, through horizontal growth, you learn new skill sets, things that you wouldn’t think of learning if you were to stay in the same role or only advance vertically. It expands your horizon, and later on, when you do grow vertically (because it will happen), you’ll be a better manager with a lot more expertise.&nbsp;People say you can learn a lot from teamwork – is that true for Vinted? Could you give an example?Yes, it's definitely true for Vinted. When we talk about Vinted’s culture, we have five statements that say we: grow, aim high, co-create, care, and take ownership. They don’t say 'I' but 'we'. That's the best representation that teamwork is at the core of everything we do at Vinted.&nbsp;&nbsp;Vinted is known for its learning budgets. How do you use yours? How has it helped you so far?I have spent my learning budget on buying a license for Reforge. It has amazing courses on growing your product and making it work. I will keep using it for this until I’ve learnt all I can from them.&nbsp;&nbsp;By the way, do you use the Vinted app? If so, what’s your way of using it?Yes! I recently uploaded half of my items. I use the Vinted app mostly for selling, but I like to browse and find bargains on it as well, especially for my home.&nbsp;One fun fact about you?I am quite short (166 cm), but I've played basketball for ten years. I still love playing the 3x3 version.&nbsp;To wrap up our talk, please pick one thing you'd like to recommend.&nbsp;Why do you think it deserves attention, and what role does it play in your life?Reforge – if you are into product and tech work, this is the best place to learn something new every day through their courses.

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Raluca Marinovici: Vinted is about “we”, not “I”

Kinda’s career path has taken her from banks and telecommunications to becoming an M&amp;A Operations Manager here at Vinted. She shares her thoughts on sustainably-minded businesses, and maintaining an open and curious mind.

What’s your name and job at Vinted?I’m Kinda Dalla, and I work as an M&amp;A Operations Manager.&nbsp;When and how did you join? Why? (Be honest!)I joined Vinted in January 2021. As a sustainability and circular economy enthusiast, I had been following Vinted for a few years, and I grew more interested in joining the team as the company continued to steadily grow and expand.&nbsp;I first heard about Vinted when I came to Lithuania as a student back in 2013, when it was still called&nbsp;Mano Drabužiai. I found it truly impressive how the team created and grew such an awesome product and scaled it globally – I thought that it must be a smart and cool team, and&nbsp;that it would be great to join it!&nbsp;&nbsp;Why is Vinted’s mission important to you?&nbsp;Throughout my years studying and working in the entertainment industry, I got to learn more about sustainability in design fields. It struck me how&nbsp;the design of everyday objects – including fashion items – can lack&nbsp;thought and consideration for the environment. Things don’t last, and a lot of waste is generated in the process.For example, I got to see the environmental footprint of&nbsp;the children’s toys industry. But I also heard about the new, interesting sustainable approaches that are used for smarter designs, and to improve awareness around consumption. Take-back systems, exchange and sharing platforms, for example.&nbsp;How I think about what I need in everyday life, be it fashion items or other objects, has changed and evolved to a much more mindful level. I’m happy to be at a company which encourages people to rethink their consumption habits.&nbsp;Tell us about your typical workday. Do you have a morning ritual?I don’t have a typical daily ritual. But I like to plan my next week on Fridays, so I can block hours for focused work, which I prefer doing before lunchtime. My mornings often start with some jazz, a quiet cup of coffee, then I get on to my work. Sometimes I start my morning with a short meditation as well, but not every day.&nbsp;What makes you excited to wake up and go to work each morning?Work is an important part of my life. I always feel energised and motivated by the dynamic, complex and interesting challenges that I get to work on all the time. Besides, I enjoy cross-functional work with Vinted’s teams. I’m naturally interested in many things in life and business, and I enjoy seeing things from different perspectives.&nbsp;&nbsp;What do you find meaningful about your job?&nbsp;I’ve always believed that the most amazing ability humans have is our ability to think and create. My job offers a space for both structure and creativity to find the best solutions and ways to go about things, along with many opportunities for collaboration and relationship-building, which, being a people person, I greatly value. It keeps me going, it’s never dull and it’s very rewarding to be a part of the M&amp;A team that’s helping Vinted grow and scale further.&nbsp;&nbsp;How is Vinted different from the last places you’ve worked at?It’s different in a refreshing way. I started my career in banks and telco – they were innovative and highly structured companies, but they lacked agility and felt too formal for me. When I moved to Lithuania, I worked in small and mid-sized companies that had a friendly vibe but were challenging. There, everyone would be doing everything, and you couldn’t always focus on doing what you’re best at.What I love about working at Vinted is that our culture allows for freedom and autonomy, but at the same time, we have clarity and structure about how the business is run. The teams are collaborative and supportive, and I appreciate that a lot.&nbsp;What are the key things you’ve learned so far during your time at Vinted?I've learned the importance of always having a concrete rationale for any decision. Also the power of maintaining your focus, and not spreading yourself too thin.&nbsp;What was the biggest challenge you overcame during this time? Was it a tough lesson to learn?I'm a newcomer to tech, and I've had to learn a lot about platform business models, our industry and competition. Naturally, it was challenging to be onboarded remotely in January and not have an opportunity to meet my colleagues at the start. But at the same time, I learned to manage my time and energy under tough conditions, and to find ways to create and develop a connection with my team.&nbsp;&nbsp;How do you seek improvement for yourself?I think the key things are self-reflection, asking for feedback, and simply admitting to myself that there is something that I don’t know. This helps me maintain a humble attitude to learning, and a curious mindset that accepts change. I find it very important just to take time to be honest with yourself about what can be improved in your approach to work, communication, project results or skill set, instead of constantly running off to do the next thing.&nbsp;&nbsp;By the way, do you use the Vinted app? If so, how do you use it?Yes, I do, mainly as a buyer. I love buying vintage bags and accessories, but I try to be mindful around not buying things I don’t need, and selling or giving away what no longer brings me joy. I’ve moved between so many flats and traveled a lot, and I’ve learned that the amount of clothes and fashion items you actually need is so small – and it’s a principle I continue to live by.&nbsp;&nbsp;Aiming high daily is not easy – how do you relax?I love long walks and hikes in nature. Like many people, I got to spend much more time in&nbsp;nature because of lockdowns. I also like running and reading – mainly poetry, philosophy and classic literature. It takes my mind off the business topics of the day, and brings me into a beautiful world of thought and emotion.&nbsp;&nbsp;Pick a piece of media to recommend. Why do you think it deserves someone’s attention?Two truly influential books that everyone should read: Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, and Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations.<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2106476/">The Hunt</a> is an extremely powerful movie, reminding us of the paradoxes and complexities of the human condition. Also, Mads Mikkelsen is a brilliant actor.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/series/the-long-read">"The Audio Long Read"</a> podcast from The Guardian&nbsp;touches on many global and interesting topics, from fair trade to social mobility, culture, politics and business.

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