In just a few months, I went from a comfortable job in the Czech Republic to signing a contract in Manila.

Back in October, I was a comfortable employee in a Czech corporate environment. By December, I had signed a contract with one of the largest and fastest-growing financial institutions in Manila, Philippines.

It all started with a message from a good friend of mine, Vítek, who had just moved to the Philippines for work. He told me that Home Credit was looking for a Head of Risk Portfolio – a role he thought would suit me perfectly.

To be honest, the idea didn't immediately resonate with me. My experience abroad had mostly been limited to tourism – buying a ski pass or chocolate on a trip. Negotiating a job contract in a tropical country 10,000 kilometers away sounded more like science fiction than a realistic career move.

Then Vítek mentioned that the recruitment process on my side would be handled by TalentFinder and the team, led by Zbyněk, someone he knew well and highly recommended. According to him, they would guide me through the entire process and act as the bridge between me and the company.

So I thought: why not at least have a conversation?

Looking back today, that small step turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.

First meeting

My first meeting with Zbyněk took place over a casual beer. If you imagine a recruiter trying to "sell" you something, you'd be mistaken. Within minutes it was clear that his priority wasn't closing a deal, but making sure the opportunity genuinely made sense for me.

We started by talking about the Philippines, a country he knows extremely well. In fact, he previously worked there as an HR Director at Home Credit. That meant he could explain not only the job, but also the culture, the company environment, and life in the country.

After that, we went into detail about the role itself – what the company expected, what challenges the position would bring, and what kind of profile they were really looking for. At the end of the meeting, we agreed that I would send my CV and motivation letter.

The selection process

Once my profile was submitted, the next stage included knowledge tests and three rounds of interviews. Honestly, that sounded a bit intimidating at first.

This was where the TalentFinder team's experience proved incredibly valuable. Before every step, we spoke and Zbyněk explained what to expect and how to prepare. Their guidance helped me approach each stage with much more confidence, and I successfully made it through the selection process.

Contract negotiation

The next stage was negotiating the contract terms. And here again, the support I received was invaluable. It wasn't just about salary – we discussed housing, living costs, insurance, and many other practical aspects of relocating to the Philippines.

I probably asked a thousand questions and called or texted constantly. Most of the time the answers came immediately from firsthand experience, and when needed, details were quickly confirmed with the right people at Home Credit.

With all that information, the relocation process suddenly felt much less intimidating, and I was able to move forward with much more confidence.

Beyond the professional relationship

And if you think our contact ended once I arrived in the Philippines, you'd be wrong. What started as a professional relationship gradually turned into a friendship. We still keep in touch regularly, and whenever Zbyněk travels to Asia, we make sure to meet – usually over a beer, just like the first time.

Life at Home Credit

As for working at Home Credit – that was probably my biggest concern before moving. Would I understand the culture? Would I fit into the team? Would I build a social life here?

The reality exceeded all my expectations.

The work is dynamic and gives me far more space for initiative and personal growth than I had in a traditional corporate environment in the Czech Republic. The atmosphere is positive and supportive.

And the people? I honestly can't imagine a more welcoming place. Filipinos are incredibly friendly, and building relationships here happens naturally and quickly. Within a short time, I built a strong social network.

There's also a small Czech community within the company, and we often spend time together outside of work as well. Many colleagues have truly become friends.

Over time, the Philippines has become a second home.

Thank you

Finally, I'd like to thank my friend Vítek for the recommendation – and TalentFinder together with Zbyněk for guiding me through the entire journey. Without their help, I probably wouldn't be where I am today. And I dare say my life would be only half as rich as it is now.