Onboarding at Progress: An Interview with Anna Topova, Senior Digital Marketing Analyst

Anna Topova is a Senior Digital Marketing Analyst based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Learn more about her experience joining Progress.

Tell us a little about yourself, Anna

I am a Senior Digital Marketing Analyst, responsible for the Progress Telerik.com web domain. In my role, I analyze user behavior data to make sure we’re providing the best experience for all website visitors. I analyze this data and provide recommendations to optimize our website’s performance and achieve sustainable business growth.

You applied to Progress multiple times. What motivated your sustained pursuit?

I have several friends who work at Progress and all of them have described it as the best place they have ever worked. But I knew the company well before I decided to apply, actually.

I wanted to work for an industry leader in software technology with good company culture, a friendly working atmosphere and opportunity for professional growth. Also, my friends shared stories of exciting projects and innovative solutions being developed at Progress, and I wanted to be part of them. Progress satisfied all my requirements, so I kept applying.

What were your impressions of the people you met throughout the recruitment process? How did they impact your perception of the company?

I had the opportunity to interact with several Progress employees in my interviews. I was impressed by their professionalism and friendliness. From the initial phone interviews to the online meetings, each interaction left me with a positive impression of the people at Progress. They were not only highly skilled and knowledgeable in their respective roles but also genuinely passionate about the work they were doing. Their enthusiasm was contagious and made me even more excited about the prospect of joining the team.

Can you please share a bit more about the onboarding process once you were hired?

From day one, I was warmly welcomed by the People team and my immediate colleagues, who were dedicated to ensuring that I felt supported and equipped for success. The onboarding process began with comprehensive orientation sessions that provided an overview of the company's history, mission, values and organizational structure. These sessions helped me gain a deeper understanding of Progress's culture and strategic objectives, laying the foundation for my journey with the company. Throughout the onboarding process, I had the opportunity to meet with key stakeholders, including members of my team, department heads and senior leadership.

One aspect of the onboarding process that I particularly appreciated was the emphasis on ongoing support and feedback. My manager and colleagues were always available to answer questions, provide guidance and offer constructive feedback as I navigated my new role.

How would you describe the company culture, and how did it align with your expectations?

From my first interactions with employees during the interview process to my day-to-day experiences as a team member, I've found that Progress has a culture where individuals are valued, respected and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents. Across teams, there is a spirit of cooperation and mutual support, with colleagues readily sharing knowledge, ideas and resources to achieve common goals.

The company culture has exceeded my expectations and aligns perfectly with my values of collaboration, diversity, inclusion and innovation, creating an environment where I feel inspired, supported and motivated to do my best work every day. I'm grateful to be part of such a dynamic and forward-thinking organization and I look forward to continuing to contribute to its success.