My Expat Story

How it started: From experimenting to knowing what I want

I was born in a small town in central Italy, known for having the tallest artificial waterfalls in Europe and its patron saint, Saint Valentine. My dream of living abroad has always been with me…partly because I grew up experiencing different cultures (my mother is Polish and my father is Italian) and partly because of the many hours I spent listening to and translating songs from the 80s and 90s (It’s not a compilation without Donna Summer and Toto!).

I’ve always had a passion for drawing and painting, which led me to attend the high school for visual arts in my hometown. There, I unexpectedly developed a deep interest in philosophy and came to understand the value of having (thank goodness, at least some) teachers who genuinely cared about your success. This inspired me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in adult education, specializing in distance learning. I graduated with a score of 108/110, ready to change the world (I’m smiling, picturing the scene as I play Don’t Stop Me Now).

But the job market showed me the finger (yep, for lack of better words).

The more interviews I went through, the more I noticed the silly biases and inefficient hiring processes (head to my LinkedIn articles to discover some of my best - I enjoy a lot doing my own meme, if you can’t tell, have fun).

I kept thinking, "If I were on the other side of the table, I would treat people differently." That’s when I realized what I truly wanted to do: bring fairness, objectivity, and care to the recruitment process. I wanted to be the kind of recruiter that gives you THE best possible experience (no pressure, eh eh…).

Owning change

Needless to say, I faced multiple obstacles. To even land an unpaid internship as a recruiter, I needed years of experience, sometimes a degree in law or economy was a minimum requirement (can you believe it?). So, partly for love and partly for better opportunities, I moved to northern Italy. I spent seven years there, navigating unpaid internships, jobs I was overqualified for, and a work culture that glorified overtime and burnout.

Why, you say?  I had to pay all of my bills, room for rent, possibly try to save something. I traded my dreams and values for a paycheck. Work always came first. Before my needs, any of my relationships. I robbed myself of so many experiences.

At rock bottom, I decided to stop lying to myself.

I couldn’t keep sacrificing my career, well, in hindsight more importantly, my life, for something I couldn’t stand anymore. I needed to make a change, and I set my sights abroad.

With a modest savings account, a lot of hope, and plenty of courage, I decided to find a better opportunity outside of Italy. Within a couple of months, I landed my first job abroad in Switzerland. I was finally working in HR and as a Recruiter.

I learned something extremely valuable: when you focus on one or two specific roles, everything becomes clearer. You approach interviews differently. You stop settling for "good enough" and start fighting for what you truly want.

Overcoming self-doubt and giving myself one more chance

Did I have confidence when I applied abroad? Did I know if I would succeed? Did I have as many savings as I thought I needed to make things easy? Absolutely not. All I knew was I had enough.

After a surprise layoff and facing another saturated, conservative, slow job market, I knew it was time for another reinvention. I gave myself a 3-month deadline, left on my own to find a better job, and experience life in northern Europe. Within a month, I was hired by Booking.com, with a relocation package to Amsterdam and I joined one of the best recruitment teams I’ve ever worked with.

Learning + growing professionally

Since then, finding a job hasn’t been as difficult. I’ve had incredible opportunities with companies like TomTom, Tony’s Chocolonely, and Atlassian. I’ve spent nearly a decade navigating phone screens, Zoom calls, business cases, roleplays, assessment centers, and conversations with international hiring managers, directors, talented teams. I’ve learned more than I ever imagined.

Nothing beats the special connection and partnership that develops when you prepare a candidate for an interview or offer strategic advice to a hiring manager. These aspects of recruitment: connecting genuinely with others, guiding them through the process, and seeing them grow, have always been my true passion.

Sometimes… it’s time to give yourself a promotion

Of course, targets and data are important. It feels amazing to hire top talent and go beyond expectations. I enjoy spotting trends and advocating for a more inclusive hiring process, always aiming to improve the candidate experience. Building trust with managers is rewarding, especially when I see them make the right decisions for their teams and the company.

But for me, the most fulfilling part is preparing candidates for the circus that recruitment has become. I share behind-the-scenes, insights, offer personalized advice, and help candidates realize that they’re worth so much more than they think.

The quality of talent out there is incredible, yet companies often fail to see it due to toxic and inefficient hiring processes. That’s why I made the decision to become a certified career coach and start my own company. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful career coaching can be, and it felt like the most natural next step in my journey, so I promoted myself :P.

You are worth more than you think

My mission is to help you see the value in your abilities and recognize that you’re already a diamond. With my guidance, you’ll recognize your full potential and find the right light to shine at your brightest.

Change is inevitable and often necessary. You can let it happen to you, endure it, and feel a victim of it. Or, you can embrace it, ride the wave of change with courage, and challenge your own beliefs. I developed this mindset in this last decade and it has given me the best experiences of my life. I’m excited to see what comes next for you, too! You can achieve so much more, the moment you start investing in yourself.

When you’re ready, I’d love to be your partner in crime. Let’s start this path towards the professional success you deserve, together!

But…Why work with me?

• 10 years of international experience abroad in recruitment and HR and now coaching, with a focus on hiring hundreds of people globally.

• I understand the challenges of navigating a new career abroad and I enjoy guiding you through it with empathy and strategic insights.

• Whether you need support with career transitions, job search strategies, or work-life balance, I’m here to help you achieve your goals.