![](\"https:\/\/www.bloomreach.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/virtual-first_linkedin-image-v2.png\")
<\/p>\nAs flexible working becomes the standard at more and more companies, we at Bloomreach have already pivoted to become a virtual-first company. With over 250 positions filled in H2 2021, we understand that the future is hybrid \u2014 here\u2019s why.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cLinkedIn\u2019s Talent Drivers survey asks members to select the most important factors when considering a new job; between January 2021 and May 2021, flexible working arrangements rose from the seventh-most important factor to the fourth-most important. It\u2019s not hard to see why employees and candidates are seeking more remote options \u2014 and why employers have been so receptive to those demands.\u201d (Linkedin<\/a>)<\/p>\n There are countless reasons for going virtual-first: more workplace diversity<\/a>, increased productivity<\/a>, and, as the recent Glint report<\/a> reveals, employees of virtual-first organisations are more likely to feel valued by the company. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n To get a bit more clarity around the topic and better understand what it is that our candidates are most interested in with regards to working remotely, we asked some of our recruiters to share quotes from their most recent interviews. The most frequently asked questions from candidates were: \u201cWill there be remote work options after the pandemic?\u201d \u201cWill there be a possibility of hybrid work options, and is there an office that I can use if I want to?\u201d \u201cWhat does Bloomreach offer from a home office setup perspective?\u201d<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a closer look at Bloomreach\u2019s virtual-first policy, and what it entails:<\/p>\n This includes myself \u2014 since the pandemic hit, I\u2019ve worked remotely from: Romania, Ukraine, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Italy. I am officially based in the UK, so getting to explore new places while staying on top of work has been perfect for me, as I absolutely adore traveling.<\/p>\n James Lambe, our Regional Recruitment Lead, has taken this opportunity to go home to Ireland and visit family and friends for 2 weeks every quarter.<\/p>\n Lawrie Martinez, our Director of Business Development, got some winter sun last year and worked from Greece during the cold months while spending time with his family.<\/p>\n Jago Madsen, our CEA Mid Market Lead, had this to say about our remote work policies: \u201cWith Bloomreach\u2019s policy of virtual-first working, I\u2019ve had incredible flexibility in being able to work around Europe over the last year. I was able to work from the south of Spain for a number of weeks during the summer of \u201821 and enjoy some sunshine, after which I visited my family in Bordeaux, where I worked remotely for a week. Being an hour ahead of my typical work hours in the UK actually let me get more work done! Several team members and I also organized a long weekend in Lisbon towards the end of 2021, renting an AirBnB where we could work from and then enjoy the city on the weekend. Not having to be in the office at 9am on Monday morning provided so much flexibility \u2014 I was able to fly straight home early on Monday to open up the laptop again from home, while a couple of colleagues remained in Lisbon to work from there. Definitely planning another city break soon!\u201d <\/p>\n Here\u2019s Jacques Apon, our Senior Account Manager for EMEA, enjoying his home office setup upon first joining Bloomreach!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI had to relocate to the Netherlands from India to join my husband after my marriage, and Bloomreach being a virtual-first company made it a seamless process to relocate and complete all procedures virtually without having to visit any of our office locations across countries.\u201d – Noor, our Academy Content Specialist <\/p>\n “I wanted to live in a bigger city, since I love meeting new people and exploring global cuisines. Fortunately, after consulting my manager, I was able to relocate to London. I love working for a company that empowers its employees to pursue their life goals even outside of work.” – Tomas, our Head of Recruitment<\/p>\n We know that candidates see the option for flexible working options as a major deciding factor when choosing their next move. Becoming a virtual-first company was an easy decision for such a global company like Bloomreach. After a year and a half of virtual-first work, Bloomreach has really hacked the system for it. We\u2019ve started our DisConnect days, we are surrounded by colleagues that value mental health and sanity just as much as deadlines, and we\u2019re in it to have fun \u2014 and lots of it!<\/p>\n\n
\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.bloomreach.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/virtual-first_employee-swag.png\")
<\/p>\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.bloomreach.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/virtual-first_body-image-for-the-article.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"