“The city quickly got under my skin,” says Nenad, a Training Specialist and Coordinator at Lufthansa InTouch Brno. Brno Daily sat down with him to discuss his career path and adapting to a new life in a different city. Moving from the Croatian city of Rovinj to start a new job in Brno turned his life around, for the better. In photo: Nenad, from Lufthansa InTouch Brno.
BD: Could you give us a bit of an insight into your background, and why you decided to come to Brno?
I’m from Croatia, from a city called Rovinj, which is a tourist city. There’s a dynamic lifestyle where summers are packed and busy – sometimes you would be employed in two jobs – but during the winter, you have a lot of free time. There are too many changes throughout the year, and I prefer stability. So, I started looking to go elsewhere.
BD: What did you initially think of Brno, when you first arrived?
When I came to Brno in 2016, it exceeded all of my expectations. It was really similar to Novi Sad in Serbia, the city my mother is from, and so the city quickly got under my skin. I also liked the cost of living here and the reliable public transportation system.
BD: What’s the background story of how you found your job in Lufthansa InTouch in Brno?
I initially applied for a job in Poland, but I also saw a job advertisement for a Customer Service Consultant at Lufthansa InTouch in Brno. I had a CV tailored for an airline company, and it didn’t cost me anything to send my CV to Lufthansa – so I sent it. In March 2016, I got a phone call from their Recruitment Specialist. I did not have any knowledge of Czech language, but it did not pose a problem during the interview, or later in the job. From the moment I got the first call, to the moment they said that they would like to hire me, it was less than a month!
BD: How was it, starting work at Lufthansa InTouch Brno?
When you first join, they don’t throw you into the fire right away [smiles]. We had starter trainings for about a month. During that time I easily became friends with my coworkers.
I have a lot of background in training, but it was never the first item in my job description. It was always something I did for my passion. I was lucky as just a few months after I joined Lufthansa InTouch Brno, a “Trainer” position opened. My supervisor encouraged me to apply; so I went through the interview process, and got hired.
BD: Could you tell me more about your position as a Trainer? What does the job entail?
Trainers have complex jobs, so I had to learn before I could help develop people’s skills. It’s challenging, but it’s what drives me; I enjoy challenges!
With time, I was improving. I could finally combine my passion with my real job: helping others to be better. I also get to travel a lot – I have worked as a Trainer in Shanghai and Ottawa! It was a great experience; it gave me the idea that I was heading in the right direction, and I got to see how other people work.
BD: From a Customer Service Consultant, to a Trainer, how did you further develop your career into a Training Specialist and Coordinator?
My supervisor – who managed the trainers – moved to a different position, and they then opened a more challenging position for a Trainer Coordinator. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that when I entered the company in 2016, my career would develop in this direction. I simply thought, why not apply; I won’t lose anything… I am happy to say that I got the position. I have been the Training Coordinator since last September!
BD: That’s amazing! From all this, would you say that you enjoy working with Lufthansa InTouch and living in Brno?
I really do enjoy working at Lufthansa InTouch Brno. What I really appreciate about the company is that there is a space for growth. When I came to Brno, I did not know a single person.
Now, looking at how much I have achieved in just a little over two years – from being a Customer Service Consultant to a Training Coordinator… It’s the biggest part I appreciate.
I also like the background support of Lufthansa InTouch Brno. The moment you get into the company, you are not tossed into the fire, and told to “get used to it”; they support you from the first moment, because they are aware it is a complex job, and it is not easy.
There’s this constant feeling of being invested in – there is a lot of training provided, and not just connected to your job! Some of it is soft skills training, which can help with your self-development. Even if it is not related to your job, it could help you in the long term.
BD: Would you say that you would still like to further your career with Lufthansa InTouch Brno in the future?
Right now, for sure – I am happy where I am. For the first time, I have a job which is fully using my capabilities, and I am developing myself – and there is more to learn.
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