On November 12, 2021, Interactio welcomed the 200th employee, expanding our team globally across 11 countries. To celebrate this staffing milestone, we’ve sat down with Interactio Talent Acquisition Lead, Karolis Česonis, to discuss our journey and share the lessons learned in the process. 

What are we looking for in people who want to join Interactio?

Two things - shared values and a strong professional background. Above all, it’s important for us to welcome people who share our values. We help, we listen, we support, we stay loyal to our goal, and we rise through adversity. These things can’t be acquired during the onboarding period. The same goes for the prospects’ fun, easy-going personalities - with the crazy growth we’re experiencing at Interactio, it’s so important to unwind, laugh, and connect on a human level.

The second thing we obviously look for is the hard skills that are necessary for the position. It’s our priority to gather the strongest and brightest people in the team who can bring their know-how, learn with us, and help us grow. 

For sure, both cultural fit and hard skills are important for us. But when we’re interviewing potential newcomers, the very first aspect we evaluate is the shared vision and approach to work. 

How has Interactio team changed since your first day here?

No doubt about this one - the team has expanded insanely. When I just started my Interactio journey in March 2021,  there was this cozy, semi-chaotic vibe of everyone being close but also doing a lot of things at the same time. Now, the Interactio team grew to be much more diverse: people come from different parts of the globe, responsibilities are more spread out, and the departments are more structured. However, one thing did not change, and that’s the atmosphere - for me, the team dynamics feel the same as they did almost a year ago. That’s why I am really happy about our new hires: it’s not only the old Interactio employees who get to keep the culture but all of the Interactio members - newcomers and veterans. 

What are the top three lessons learned throughout this journey of growing the Interactio team? 

We learned so much during this time, but if I have to pick the main ones, it would be transparency, work and life balance, and no compromises on the big things. 

For us, transparency means honesty and accountability. No matter how challenging the projects are, we look for solutions together, avoid blame, and focus on what we can achieve realistically. 

The second one - work and life balance - is tricky. Even though we’re a remote-first company, we noticed how important letting off some steam is at our latest in-person team event - Interfest. Don’t get me wrong, we definitely work a lot, but we try to relax and party just as hard. 

The third lesson, which might sound harsh at the beginning, is not making compromises. During a recruitment process, sometimes it comes down to a conversation about a candidate who is not perfect but more or less suitable. What do we do then? We learned that it is better to wait and find the person with the right attitude and personality instead of settling for the right technical fit. Skills can be learned, but if we’re not on the common ground from the get-go, that would be hard to achieve down the line.

What are our plans for the future in terms of growing the team? 

So many exciting changes are coming, but one thing will remain the same - the Interactio community will keep growing exponentially! After finalizing the recruitment plan for 2022, I can say that most teams will double in the next 6 months. The world, the team, and the company are evolving so rapidly that the sky's the limit. 

What makes Interactio team exceptional?

The right people with shared values. I keep mentioning it, but it’s very important - that’s why I came to Interactio, and that’s why I am here and so passionate about expanding the team. We managed to hire people who believe in the ultimate interactio goal - and this is what matters the most. 

What would be your advice to people who want to join Interactio in the future?

Be yourself! We like honest people. During the interviews, it is easy for the TA team to see if you’re faking or pretending to know something you don’t. If you’re asked something you don’t know, the best decision is to admit that you lack some skills but strive to learn more while being in the position. In short, relax and let your true self shine. 

If our mission and values resonate with you, please check out our 30+ open positions in Customer Success, Product Development, Sales, Marketing, and other departments. Check out our vacancies and become a part of the next big thing!