How did you find out about buckle up and what brought you here?
I remember this as if it were yesterday although it has already been 7 years. At that time I worked in Bratislava where I was constantly annoyed by having to ride the bus in the city from the train station for another 30 minutes and being stuck in traffic jams. Basically, Bratislava bothered me as such :D. Maybe it's because I don't like big cities in general. However, once I went out with my former classmates and one of them, Maroš, mentioned that he worked in Pezinok and that he was satisfied. So, just for fun, I asked him whether they were looking for a backend developer like me :D, to which he replied that they were not at that time, but he would let me know if that changed. In the meantime, I was checking online job adverts every day to see if anything new would pop up outside Bratislava. Then, one day I came across a job offer from buckle up. I immediately sent my CV. In a few hours Maroš called me that they had a vacancy and he encouraged me to send my CV. I replied that he was too late as I already did apply. This is how I remember it, however, Maroš may remember it differently: D.
You say you don't like big cities, why?
I feel better in smaller groups and it occurs to me that people in larger cities are impersonal. They get lost in the crowd and disappear. They don't have time to be interested in others… which is logical as there are a lot of them :D. I also like to see people smiling at each other and greeting each other, when I walk down the street. It's the same with work. I prefer to work in a smaller agency, where everyone knows each other and we like to meet outside of work to have a beer or two :D. That is one of the great benefits for me. Moreover, there is time and space for such events.
Do you consider personal approach and a good atmosphere in the team the biggest advantages?
One of several biggest advantages. Of course, it's not a win if you are in a good team but you don't like the work, in which case I wouldn't be here anymore. It's a combination of various good and beautiful things. For me it's also a big plus that the emphasis is on transparency and no dubious orders are accepted. It's simply honest, full-stop :D. Another thing I like is the opportunity to learn and the openness to new technologies. Sure, "unpretty" projects also come my way, but as they say, not every day is Sunday - you know, just to avoid the impression that it's all that rosy all the time, there are also difficult projects, situations and challenges we have to face :).
What was the most unpleasant situation you faced and how are such situations handled in your team?
One doesn't always hit the nail on the head and mistakes or bad decisions are sometimes made from which unpleasant situations may then arise. But it's nice that we don't shout at each other here and don't swear if such a situation occurs. We rather sit down together and talk about how to prevent it in the future and what went wrong. In short, we try to solve it calmly, not sabotaging and blaming each other for who has done something wrong. Is such an answer enough? :D (schyzophrenia lvl 999)
You said you had applied for the position of a backend developer. Are you currently in that position?
From the beginning, it was not so clear-cut and strictly divided as for who did what. When I started here, there were projects where I also made styles or simple animations, banners, newsletters, in short, what was needed. In recent years, there are more of us, so we specialize more and therefore I pay more attention to backend development. From time to time, I still get to work in Vue or I adjust something on the frontend. I'm happy for every new thing I can learn. Fortunately, there are opportunities enough, you just have to grab them tightly :D and of course sometimes venture beyond the scope of your regular duties.
Do you have a "recipe" for preventing burnout?
Sure, I'm not putting a log on the fire and I'm cutting down on oxygen :D. I try to maintain a good work-life balance so that I don't slip into one extreme or the other. However, I do not always succeed. I think it's different for everyone and everyone's limits are set differently, so don't expect a universal recipe from me, you only get a failed cake :D.
We heard a rumour that you liked cookies…
… yes, I do. I eat them and I sometimes make them, even some salty treats. For the most part, few people complain, so each time we go a little farther and bake something more challenging - we are way beyond cupcakes. From time to time, people bring some tasty food to work for breakfast, however, that only happens on rare occasions now as there are quite a few hungry mouths to feed... I mean ungrateful and hungry mouths :D.
Is there anything you'd be sad about if leaving buckle up?
Probably yes :D but it's hard to be specific. I'll only find out when it comes. There is a good atmosphere and everyone can find their bestie here :D.
So who is your favorite colleague?
Some things shall be left unsaid, because Števo would be conceited or disappointed, one of it for sure :D.
Do you prefer to work in the office or from home?
In the past, we all worked exclusively in the office, but recently we also started to "experiment" with home office, mostly due to the pandemic. Personally, I don't mind either, both have their advantages and disadvantages, so I might like to alternate between the two in the future, we'll see. For me, the biggest advantage of home office is that I don't have to commute, and when I want to finish something, I have a computer at home and at hand. In the office, I see the social contact with colleagues, faster and easier communication and mutual support as a plus (sometimes minus :D).
You usually commute to work then. By car, by train…?
Mostly by train and once in a while by car or I share a ride with my colleagues. I prefer public transport though, as I can either read something or check out the news along the way. Moreover, sometimes while on the train, by (un)intentional eavesdropping, I find out who people will vote for, which youtuber is currently in or what the impact of the mild winter will be on agriculture. Basically, in addition to getting from point A to point B, I always experience new adventures :D ...albeit mostly only as a listener, fortunately :D.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I drill. Walls, colleagues… in general, hi-hi-hi :D. Just kidding, yes, I like to drill and do various DIY work, but I also like to cook and bake. Once in a while I like to spend time in nature, I go cycling or hiking. In recent years, I have begun to play board games more intensively.
What game would you recommend?
It depends on what one expects from the game, whether you want to read the rules for 5 hours and explain them to your co-players for another 2 hours, or you prefer something quick and easy. Of the more complex ones, I fell for Terra Mystica, and of the simpler ones, I would choose Take 6!, Mysterium and Cockroach Poker. Then there are themed games that we don't play so often, but they are close to my heart, Star Wars Imperial Assault being the best one.
Now a series of quick Q&As follows. What message would you give to your younger self?
I would send him the non-winning numbers for a lottery. I've never won, so he mustn't either.. I mean I mustn't either. And I would let him struggle with the question who sent them to him :D.
What is your favorite quote?
There are more of them, depending on what time it is. For example, from the more serious ones: "The only certainty in life is change." …or another one more suitable for the end of a business day :D: "Tomorrow can become yesterday, but yesterday can never be tomorrow."
What is your favorite computer/console game?
Currently Beat Saber, Iron Man VR and Tomb Raider and Civilization IV and Transport Tycoon Deluxe and… But I don't play often :D.
Coffee or tea?
I have a more tricky question, Pepsi or Coke?
Which country would you like to live in?
I am satisfied in Slovakia. But if I had the power to choose the place I would be born in, and assuming I would have the same name as I have now, then... the Philippines, as it reminds me a little of my name :D.
Which apps do you have installed on your smartphone?
Different ones. I don't want to add anything more, don't look at me like that :D.
